KLM charges $40 for checked luggage on international flights ?
Sep 17, 2019, 12:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 552
KLM charges $40 for checked luggage on international flights ?
I was finding out a flight to SYD and found a deal of KL/QF but had to pay extra $40 for a suitcase of max 23kg. Checking other international destinations, just for curiosity, like CPT, SCL, CUR, DPS from AMS showed all the same $40 extra fee, in these itineraries unlike SYD, no other airline is involved. Otherwise only 12kg of carry-on is allowed. I thought this was only the case in domestic (i.e.European) flights.
Is this $40 fee for international flights correct ?
Is this $40 fee for international flights correct ?
Sep 17, 2019, 12:38 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CW
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Sep 17, 2019, 1:15 pm
#3
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You booked a "light fare" which comes with no bag allowance, so yes you have to pay for this if you want to check a bag.
Sep 20, 2019, 2:55 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 7
Is this new? Check-in bag was definitely included on my recent flights to/from Japan, and I'm pretty sure it was included on my other flights to the USA and Japan over the last few years. And yeah, I always choose the cheapest option when booking.
Sep 20, 2019, 3:02 am
#7
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Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 207
They were the first to introduce Light/BE fares on TATL routes. They were the first to expand it beyond TATL routes as well. If you're traveling from Europe to Asia, from July 15, 2019 onwards they have been offering eco light fares without any checked luggage allowance.
tl;dr Yes, in the direction of Asia, it's new.
Sep 21, 2019, 7:04 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 511
If I add another suitcase to my reservation retrospectively via the my booking link on the KLM website it will charge me 80 euros for an additional suitcase for a one-way.
My impression is that the second checked bag is 80 euros if you add it retrospectively (As FB Gold I'm allowed a checked suitcase per flight).
However if I add the suitcase during the booking process on the website it charges me 40 euros for a one-way.
I hope this is a glitch, will give KLM a call about this.
My impression is that the second checked bag is 80 euros if you add it retrospectively (As FB Gold I'm allowed a checked suitcase per flight).
However if I add the suitcase during the booking process on the website it charges me 40 euros for a one-way.
I hope this is a glitch, will give KLM a call about this.
Sep 21, 2019, 8:52 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: AMS
Programs: FB plat for life
Posts: 316
Probably if you do it during booking, you are not logged in and then the system charges you for the first suitcase - which is EUR 40 one way. A 2nd bag is EUR 80 even if you are Gold and entitled to the first free.
If you are logged in and want to add a bag it will see it as a 2nd bag and charge you EUR 80 too.
Curious if this is indeed the explanation
If you are logged in and want to add a bag it will see it as a 2nd bag and charge you EUR 80 too.
Curious if this is indeed the explanation
Sep 21, 2019, 9:00 am
#10
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IIRC there are a couple international destinations where local laws and regulations require a certain free baggage allowance. Brazil is an example.
Sep 21, 2019, 9:14 am
#11
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Bottom line here is that in a day and age where fewer and fewer people check bags, fares which don't force passengers to subsidize those who want to check a bag, are quite successful.
Sep 24, 2019, 11:15 am
#12
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Bottom line here is that in a day and age where fewer and fewer people check bags, fares where you can get your oversized carryon weighing 10 tons alongside your 3 plastic bags and your backpack, whilst being subsidized by the passengers who checked their bag in, and also taking up all the overhead bin space in the process, are quite successful.