Ssammie

Hi this is my first post so i hope i'm not in the wrong place.
I booked a BA Avios redemption on JAL for a domestic flight within Japan. On my email it says i'm entitled to 2x23kgs but it also says to check with JAL. If i use the link provided by BA it still says 2x23kgs. If i go on JAL website myself it says 20kgs for a domestic. Normally 20kgs would be plenty but i plan to make another redemption for a JAL domestic flight and they use small planes so i would need to check in my hand baggage as it wouldn't fit on board in the overhead bins.
My question is which rule should i follow? JAL to be on the safe side? Or has anybody else on here made an Avios booking on a JAL domestic flight and checked 2 bags with no issue?
Thank you to anybody who has any insight for me

Cymro

What's the booking class, and do you have OneWorld frequent flyer status?

Ssammie

Economy and no i don't unfortunately

Cymro

I kind of assumed you would have status, because BA says you're entitled to a second bag yet you would only have one 23kg bag on a regular BA economy avios redemption.

As such, I would assume that the operating airline's rules apply and you'll be limited to 20kg. I don't have any experience as to whether JAL allows hand luggage to be gate checked, but JL says that this is a weight limit, not a limit on the number of pieces. So if you're under 20kg in total, you wouldn't have anything extra to pay. If you're over, the cost is only in the order of £3 or so per kg depending on route length, so not a fortune.

https://www.jal.co.jp/en/dom/baggage/checked/

PETER01

Just to say a warm welcome to Flyertalk and here on the BA Board Ssammie. ^

I've only redeemed once on JAL, a few years ago too so really have no experience re your specific 2 bag question but as I understand it JAL's extra bag fees are not that big really. Happy flying!

Ssammie

I would post a screenshot but not allowed right now. I'll just stick with 20kgs and hope for the best. Or i can always book a different ticket which i know has 2 bags. I just wanted to save money. I've never actually booked a flight using Avios before and i don't like not knowing my allowance. Thanks for your replies!

PETER01

Hello again Ssammie

@CPH-Flyer is a BA/OW regular here who has lots of JAL experience but maybe others here can give a specific answer but I wouldn't trust it says 2 bags on a Y ticket with no status!

Although crossposting isn't really allowed if there's no reply here the it may be worth asking here. There's also info on how to select a seat through JAL.

[JAL NEWBIE LOUNGE] Ask Your Questions Here (flame free)

Cymro

I wouldn't trust BA whatsoever, but the link I posted is quite clear that "Up to 20kg is free of charge for each passenger. *No limit to the number of bags." So in theory, you can buy 12×1.6 kg budget suitcases and chuck them all in the hold empty, if that's your thing.

PETER01

Thanks. I was just adding a supplementary post to your link/info.

Ssammie

i'm most definitely going to be over 20kgs! i'll only have 1 hold bag and 1 hand baggage though!

etiene

What's the puddle jumper you're planning on? I flew JL Embraers, but they have decent enough overheads. I suspect taking your carry-on to the gate would be fine though.

Jinxed_K

2x23kg is the standard international allowance for JAL.
Domestic is 20kg, but if you're booked on a Japan Explorer Pass fare, you get 2x23kg... which I'm not sure if you can book with Avios, I always booked these directly with JAL.

McG

What's the JAL route your flying?

JAL operate a mix of different types on domestics - Embraer 170/190, Boeing 737-800, 767-300, 777-200, 787-800, Airbus A350-900.

I believe one of their subsidiary's also operate Dash 8-400's . Not sure if they operate anything smaller.

Jinxed_K

Saab 340B are on a few routes.

planes&trains

I think the "check with airline" is for hand baggage. Here is one of my bookings.