How much leeway with baggage allowance?
 

How much leeway does CX typically give with baggage allowances? Of late they seem to be getting less flexible. Today, 2 Y pax I know (no status) checked in at HKIA with 58kgs between the two of them. CX charged for 8kgs (allowed 25kgs each). In the past they've typically allowed 30kgs per Y passenger (20 official plus 10 "free" allowance), or 40kgs (30+10) for J passengers.

Also, I find that this affects MPC members as well. For example, as SL I'm officially allowed 30kgs, but if I try to check in with 40kgs they would usually not allow without paying more.

Are they tightening the strings on this and is the unofficial extra 10 kgs now uniformly down to 5kgs? To me it seems no because I've had recent cases where I've not been charged but still had >5kgs extra.

Seems kind of random but overall less flexible. Is there some changed logic in the system or changed cutoff?

Other airlines like Jet (9W) seem to be a lot more flexible than Cathay. Recent example is J pax (no status) checked in with 48kgs without any request for excess from 9W. I've had an experience with SQ in Y where I checked in with my companion when we had no status on the airline so only 40kgs allowance but we checked in with 95kgs and no request to pay extra. Though I hear now even SQ is getting more stingy with extra weight.

Is there some cutoff above which they will ask? They seem to want to charge for (actual weight) - (allowance + 5) but if a YCL pax shows up with 26kgs they won't in practice charge for the 1kg.

As I understand it, CX has a 5 kg tolerance. I have, with my allowance been far over the limit and have never been charged, but have been 'scolded', particularly out of SYD for some reason. Maybe they also take into account cabin baggage. Some pax on CX have unbelievable amounts of cabin baggage in terms of net kilos.

I flew SIN-HKG-YVR last week and there were 2 of us = 4 Baggage 23 KG each

3 of our luggages were like 18-20 KG but one was 24 KG , the stupid feller told us to repack into other luggage.
Although i was furious , i didnt want to say anything.
Just 1 KG overweight and other 3 baggage were way underweight why cant they just let it go through ?

Well ,look like these days CX are becoming more and more NOT flexible....

I think for North America bounded flight they are clearly stated that every baggage is less than or equal to 23KG

http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_...ggageallowance

There's no meaning to complain as you go over the limit of the rule that you should comply. I don't think it's the ground staff problem

If you are entertained, you are lucky. If not, you should not complain

i totally agree....... it's a privilege, not a right as they clearly state the baggage allowance. it is of the discretion of the agent to allow the overweight baggage and not charge you. Think about it this way: if everyone soon realizes that they are lenient about excess baggage, then everyone will try to pack an extra few kgs.
They probably noticed how people are doing that, abusing the baggage allowance policy so therefore, they must be more strict. bottom line, a policy is for passengers to follow, not to abuse so don't complain if they ask you to repack your luggage or if they chose to charge you.

The unofficial leeway has always been 5kg for Y pax for many years.

Yes, that is understood. However, if someone shows up with 6kgs extra, they won't try to charge for 1kg. If someone shows up with 7kgs extra, they probably won't try to charge for 2kg. However if someone shows up with 10kg extra, they WILL try to charge for 5kg.

Really weird.

I've also had cases where I've tried to travel without any hand carry and just check everything in. The guy at the check in counter says that I cannot check so much in but if I hand carry one of the bags (less than 10kg for MPC) it's OK.

What's the point of that, what do they care whether it's in the hold or in the cabin?

lol that's so weird hahah i dont get why it would matter in that case... :rolleyes:

Maybe they are worried about KPI or exception reports showing that they consistently allow passengers to over check in and hence getting reprimanded for it. They do need to record the weight correctly regardless in order to balance the plane and plan for fuel correctly.

Probably: If the plane is close to MTOW, it would make all the difference when the captain asks for extra fuel. What goes in the belly needs to be properly documented, while the cabin does not. If 100ppl is putting on 5 extra kg in the belly, it's 500kg less fuel for the captain. (Perhaps less if he plays around), whilst if the 500kg is in the cabin, it'd hardly do a thing to flight safety, and there is the extra fuel to circle around London... lol

FYI: Friend of mine took CX 879(SFO-HKG) this afternoon and her check-in bag weighed 26kgs, she was asked to remove the extra 3kgs. They also weighed her carry on bag. Btw, this was on flight with roughly 80% load in Y.

The 23kg rule might imposed by the handling company- I remember in London there was news about handlers refuse to handle heavy luggage for some time, although they now do I think it's possible some other airports refuse to do so.

When i took CX 888(HKG-YVR) they did not weigh my hand carry.
Where did they weighed her carry on bag , before boarding ? or at check in counter?

This was at the check in counter. They added a tag to the carryon bag and circled the weight (6-7 kgs)

Oh, i could simply add more items after check in and they will not notice :p

Or tell them , sorry i dont have a hand carry baggage