Bike bag & oversize fees
Dec 28, 2014, 3:59 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: HHonors Lifetime Diamond, AA EXP
Posts: 281
Bike bag & oversize fees
I am planning on bringing my bike back to the US through SYD-HKG-JFK.
I got a Evoc bike bag for the trip - total dimension 135 x 80 x 38 cm, which is 253 cm, 50 cm over the limit. http://www.evocsports.com/bike/bike-...ike-travel-bag
I called Cathay Pacific to register my sporting equipment.
Because it is "oversize" they said it is going to cost me 4x the cost of $190 (zone 3 to zone 5) -- a whopping $760 -- regardless of it being one of my free checkin luggages (I get 3 due to emerald status).
It is super hard to believe that people with bike bags are consistently paying this kind of fee to ship their bikes.
What gives? Am I missing something in communicating it is a bike bag?? Or am I screwed?
I got a Evoc bike bag for the trip - total dimension 135 x 80 x 38 cm, which is 253 cm, 50 cm over the limit. http://www.evocsports.com/bike/bike-...ike-travel-bag
I called Cathay Pacific to register my sporting equipment.
Because it is "oversize" they said it is going to cost me 4x the cost of $190 (zone 3 to zone 5) -- a whopping $760 -- regardless of it being one of my free checkin luggages (I get 3 due to emerald status).
It is super hard to believe that people with bike bags are consistently paying this kind of fee to ship their bikes.
What gives? Am I missing something in communicating it is a bike bag?? Or am I screwed?
Dec 28, 2014, 5:34 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 862
I've read that it might be wiser to describe it as "sports equipment" and leave it at that, if you can. But I've not tried this myself.
Some threads over at bikeforums, but outside of that I can't offer specific advice/suggestions. Can you "de-register" and check their T&Cs for specific guidance?
Anyone fly international with maximum sized luggage?
Getting your bike and box to the airport, a personal account
Airlines are making bicycle transport more difficult.
I've never used this bikeflights service, but it may be worth considering. Not cheap, however.
Some threads over at bikeforums, but outside of that I can't offer specific advice/suggestions. Can you "de-register" and check their T&Cs for specific guidance?
Anyone fly international with maximum sized luggage?
Getting your bike and box to the airport, a personal account
Airlines are making bicycle transport more difficult.
I've never used this bikeflights service, but it may be worth considering. Not cheap, however.
Dec 28, 2014, 5:41 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
About 6-7 years ago, I was quoted HKD2700 for a oversized checked luggage HKG-SFO. I was initially quoted HKD900 because they thought it was not too much above 62". However, it was over 100" (forgot what the second limit was). The cost became HKD2700.
If they were charging that much for a DM, I do not expect they will quote any less for other members or OWE/OWS.
If they were charging that much for a DM, I do not expect they will quote any less for other members or OWE/OWS.
Dec 28, 2014, 7:08 pm
#4
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 6_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/536.26 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/6.0 Mobile/10B142 Safari/8536.25)
Inasked them n theyvsaid for owe itd b foc, just for normal weight limits. Never trip never materialized so im not sure if thatvwas true however(all on canto hotline)
Inasked them n theyvsaid for owe itd b foc, just for normal weight limits. Never trip never materialized so im not sure if thatvwas true however(all on canto hotline)
Dec 28, 2014, 8:44 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: HHonors Lifetime Diamond, AA EXP
Posts: 281
Just an update.
I asked someone to speak to a HK agent and got a much more clear response, but the situation remains the same.
Bottom line is CX is pretty evil toward sporting equipment.
I am having a friend take my bike using Air New Zealand SYD-ROT and then Hawaiian AKL-HNL-JFK, two separate itineraries, for a THIRD of the quoted CX price.
Bottom line is CX is pretty evil toward sporting equipment.
I am having a friend take my bike using Air New Zealand SYD-ROT and then Hawaiian AKL-HNL-JFK, two separate itineraries, for a THIRD of the quoted CX price.
Dec 29, 2014, 2:05 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX DM
Posts: 204
Maybe I'm lucky but I've done countless trips with a Trico Ironcase which is 220cm and only been charged once when CX introduced a bike charge quietly a few years ago - since withdrawn. Had no problems for the last few years but maybe the 100" / 250cm is their limit
Dec 30, 2014, 4:22 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: HHonors Lifetime Diamond, AA EXP
Posts: 281
What killed it finally was I could get stuck at the airport with my bike and a $760 fee with no other option but to pay. Otherwise I should just pay $190 as an extra bag max. I spent considerable time (> 2hr) on the phone getting clarifications and could not absolutely confirm things would be OK.
Anyways, I don't take chances except when I'm on the trail or in Vegas. Since CX can't be clear in their bike policy (which you have just demonstrated) next time I travel with my bike I won't be flying CX.
Dec 30, 2014, 5:26 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,764
Last year I decided to bring my road bike over to Thailand. I had my local bicycle store package it up in one of the usual large, flat bike boxes. (TSA opened and inspected it at both BOS and ORD. They resealed it well, with everything packed properly. I was actually impressed.) I redeemed an AA F award for BOS-ORD (AA F), ORD-HKG (CX F) and HKG-BKK (CX J). There was no charge on any leg.
Dec 30, 2014, 5:46 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
Last year I decided to bring my road bike over to Thailand. I had my local bicycle store package it up in one of the usual large, flat bike boxes. (TSA opened and inspected it at both BOS and ORD. They resealed it well, with everything packed properly. I was actually impressed.) I redeemed an AA F award for BOS-ORD (AA F), ORD-HKG (CX F) and HKG-BKK (CX J). There was no charge on any leg.
Dec 30, 2014, 8:24 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 172
I've transported my bike a few times from SYD-HKG and back with it disassembled into the standard cardboard box.
When emailing CX to confirm, we suggested to use the box measurements that QF applies: http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airl...lobal/en#jump0 which CX were fine with (perhaps because we were flying from Aus).
Flying Y for these trips but were definitely never charged extra for the bike - I don't recall them even weighing the box or checking the measurements, we were just directed to the oversize baggage desk after check-in which in SYD is right next to the CX desks.
Agree that the lack of clarity from CX is annoying on this.
When emailing CX to confirm, we suggested to use the box measurements that QF applies: http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airl...lobal/en#jump0 which CX were fine with (perhaps because we were flying from Aus).
Flying Y for these trips but were definitely never charged extra for the bike - I don't recall them even weighing the box or checking the measurements, we were just directed to the oversize baggage desk after check-in which in SYD is right next to the CX desks.
Agree that the lack of clarity from CX is annoying on this.
Last edited by JeCCo; Dec 30, 2014 at 8:31 pm
Dec 30, 2014, 9:52 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriot Am, MU Pt
Posts: 3,092
Two months ago, I brought a 200x50x50 cm box full of stuff. I think I was overweight, but only about 25 kg for it.
Anyways the agent said she needed to charge me, but would only charge the bare minimum of $100 USD. It however was not sporting equipment. I flew with snowboards and that usually seems fine.
Anyways the agent said she needed to charge me, but would only charge the bare minimum of $100 USD. It however was not sporting equipment. I flew with snowboards and that usually seems fine.
Dec 30, 2014, 11:08 pm
#12
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 755
I thought bike can be checked for freehttp://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_H...equipment.html
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_H...allowance.html
4. The following articles, irrespective of their actual dimensions, may be considered as a bag of 158cm (62in) in size:
.
.
.
A bicycle can be accepted as check-in baggage, provided that the following requirements of the bicycle are met:
Non-motorized touring / racing single-seat bicycle
Handlebars are fixed and tightened sideways or parallel to the frame or enclosed in plastic foam or similar material
Pedals are removed or fixed inwards or enclosed in plastic foam or similar material
Tyres are deflated
Passenger must pack bicycle in a strong and protective hard case or recognised bicycle box.
.
.
.
.
.
.
A bicycle can be accepted as check-in baggage, provided that the following requirements of the bicycle are met:
Non-motorized touring / racing single-seat bicycle
Handlebars are fixed and tightened sideways or parallel to the frame or enclosed in plastic foam or similar material
Pedals are removed or fixed inwards or enclosed in plastic foam or similar material
Tyres are deflated
Passenger must pack bicycle in a strong and protective hard case or recognised bicycle box.
.
.
.
Dec 31, 2014, 12:25 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
I thought bike can be checked for freehttp://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_H...equipment.html
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_H...allowance.html
Dec 31, 2014, 5:09 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2014
Location: London
Posts: 115
I am planning on bringing my bike back to the US through SYD-HKG-JFK.
I got a Evoc bike bag for the trip - total dimension 135 x 80 x 38 cm, which is 253 cm, 50 cm over the limit. http://www.evocsports.com/bike/bike-...ike-travel-bag
I called Cathay Pacific to register my sporting equipment.
Because it is "oversize" they said it is going to cost me 4x the cost of $190 (zone 3 to zone 5) -- a whopping $760 -- regardless of it being one of my free checkin luggages (I get 3 due to emerald status).
It is super hard to believe that people with bike bags are consistently paying this kind of fee to ship their bikes.
What gives? Am I missing something in communicating it is a bike bag?? Or am I screwed?
I got a Evoc bike bag for the trip - total dimension 135 x 80 x 38 cm, which is 253 cm, 50 cm over the limit. http://www.evocsports.com/bike/bike-...ike-travel-bag
I called Cathay Pacific to register my sporting equipment.
Because it is "oversize" they said it is going to cost me 4x the cost of $190 (zone 3 to zone 5) -- a whopping $760 -- regardless of it being one of my free checkin luggages (I get 3 due to emerald status).
It is super hard to believe that people with bike bags are consistently paying this kind of fee to ship their bikes.
What gives? Am I missing something in communicating it is a bike bag?? Or am I screwed?
as far as I'm aware unless you're on a prop plane/regional jet you don't have to. (small planes = small cargo hold, might not be able to carry bike bag)
I've carried my bike through my bike bag numerous times on CX and VS Y with no status. No bike charges at all. No oversize. Just show up at the airport. Your evoc bag will be fine - similar size to my generic oem bike bag.
Edit: CX and VS do not charge for bike bags unlike most airlines as long as you stay within the standard 23kg weight limit which is easily doable.