Star Alliance Gold Benefits - TAP Portugal
Jun 27, 2018, 2:07 pm
#16
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
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Jun 28, 2018, 8:31 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: United 1K; Hilton HHonors Gold; Marriott Platinum
Posts: 28
Airport price was 50 Euros and the pre-pay price online was 42 Euros (up from 25 Euros at booking) at check-in time, so I took my chances.
Jul 3, 2018, 8:54 am
#18
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: London
Posts: 189
I think that there is a slight difference on checked luggage allowance on Discount fare between Star Gold and TAP Gold as per here: https://www.flytap.com/en-gb/baggage/hold-baggage (see extra baggage note 1 applicable to Star Gold) and calculator here: http://book.flytap.com/bagsim/BaggageStart.aspx?_l=en
The rules were the same but all changed a few months back. I've not risked it as Star Gold and have paid for luggage in advance.
In terms of seat selection, I recall being able to select for free before but then it all changed, probably with luggage rules. Nowadays I have to pay to select seat as Star Gold on Discount. Not sure if there is a difference there as well for TAP Gold.
The rules were the same but all changed a few months back. I've not risked it as Star Gold and have paid for luggage in advance.
In terms of seat selection, I recall being able to select for free before but then it all changed, probably with luggage rules. Nowadays I have to pay to select seat as Star Gold on Discount. Not sure if there is a difference there as well for TAP Gold.
Jul 26, 2018, 10:16 am
#19
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: San Diego Area
Programs: UA Gold MM, AA Gold MM, Marriott Plat LT, HH Gold, IHG Plat, WoH Discvst, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,834
A slight variation on the OP's question: As a *G, i I buy a "Basic" or "Classic" ticket in Economy for a flight from SVQ to LIS (an ATR72 ... ugh), what is the weight allowance for a checked bag? 23 or 32 kg?
Jul 27, 2018, 11:39 am
#21
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: San Diego Area
Programs: UA Gold MM, AA Gold MM, Marriott Plat LT, HH Gold, IHG Plat, WoH Discvst, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,834
Jul 27, 2018, 4:33 pm
#22
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: YYZ
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Jul 31, 2018, 9:26 am
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,224
Another data point: As a *G, they accepted one checked bag on a discount economy fare flying LIS-LHR. There was no discussion about it and no questions were raised at the *G check in desk. However, seat selection was not permitted.
As a separate data point, at LIS they were not weighing hand luggage, but at LHR they were being very strict about it.
As a separate data point, at LIS they were not weighing hand luggage, but at LHR they were being very strict about it.
Oct 18, 2018, 4:18 pm
#24
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Singapore
Programs: OZ Diamond, BAEC Silver, Marriott Platinum, HH Gold
Posts: 515
Hi, any further data points since? I am flying with them for Xmas and hoping to check in 1 bag for free due to to *G. At the moment, the ‘manage my booking’ system is not displaying any particular information that I am allowed to check one bag for free. I have booked a economy restricted fare (discount).
thanks!
thanks!
Oct 18, 2018, 11:41 pm
#25
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Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Hi, any further data points since? I am flying with them for Xmas and hoping to check in 1 bag for free due to to *G. At the moment, the ‘manage my booking’ system is not displaying any particular information that I am allowed to check one bag for free. I have booked a economy restricted fare (discount).
thanks!
thanks!
http://book.flytap.com/bagsim/BaggageStart.aspx?_l=en
it may, or may not, be current (welcome to the world of TAP...)
In practice, even though the TP "help" line said no checked-bags for free for a non-TAP *A Gold, I was able to check bags in as as an LH Gold.
But baggage delivery takes so long in Lisbon, I try always to be a hand-baggage only passenger.
Oct 19, 2018, 3:30 am
#26
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Singapore
Programs: OZ Diamond, BAEC Silver, Marriott Platinum, HH Gold
Posts: 515
OK thanks! It is indeed confusing. This link you have just shared says no free bag for Discount fares.
Conversely, this site states, under "Extra baggage"https://www.flytap.com/en-gb/baggage/hold-baggage :
Book your extra luggage online now so you don’t leave anything behind. There are special conditions if you book before the online check-in opens (up to 36 hours before your flight time). The conditions apply to one extra item of up to 23kg.
If you have TAP Platinum American Express, Victoria Card, we have special conditions for you.
Conversely, this site states, under "Extra baggage"https://www.flytap.com/en-gb/baggage/hold-baggage :
Book your extra luggage online now so you don’t leave anything behind. There are special conditions if you book before the online check-in opens (up to 36 hours before your flight time). The conditions apply to one extra item of up to 23kg.
If you have TAP Platinum American Express, Victoria Card, we have special conditions for you.
Economy classBusiness classVictoria Gold or Star Alliance Gold1+ 1 item up to 23kg / 50 Ib+ 1 item up to 32kg / 70 IbTAP Platinum American Express+ 1 item up to 23kg / 50 Ib(1) Are entitled to one extra bag weighing a maximum of 23kg/50lb or 32kg/70lb, depending on the cabin in which they are travelling, even if travelling on Discount booking class.
Note: It is not allowed the transport of baggage for infants traveling on tap discount in flights within Europe and North Africa and intercontinental flights. Only completely folding strollers are allowed as hold baggage or the transport of the child’s chair or basket.
Do you have excess baggage? You can check the extra costs here:Note: It is not allowed the transport of baggage for infants traveling on tap discount in flights within Europe and North Africa and intercontinental flights. Only completely folding strollers are allowed as hold baggage or the transport of the child’s chair or basket.
Oct 30, 2018, 8:59 am
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,422
Another data point: As a *G, they accepted one checked bag on a discount economy fare flying LIS-LHR. There was no discussion about it and no questions were raised at the *G check in desk. However, seat selection was not permitted.
As a separate data point, at LIS they were not weighing hand luggage, but at LHR they were being very strict about it.
As a separate data point, at LIS they were not weighing hand luggage, but at LHR they were being very strict about it.
The other thing I hate is the seat assignment hassle. I only wish that airlines had charged for coach seat assignments at the time the Alliance was formed. I'm sure it would have been included as a free benefit: it's idiotic to get priority airport check-in, bags, boarding and lounge access, and then have to play the seat lottery. So is there any way to get a free seat assignment at check-in, or are they just "randomly" assigned?
Oct 31, 2018, 3:18 am
#29
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,958
Nov 1, 2018, 9:23 am
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,422
It is always my strategy to avoid counter visits on any airline with draconian weight limits. Is TAP's online check-in reliable such that I'll be able to check-in online? I never know with foreign carriers. Like earlier this year, I was flying JAL from the USA and got my boarding pass online. I get to the airport and the TSA tells me these are "phony" boarding passes, and I have to go the counter to get a "real" one. Glad I had extra time, and elite status.
I know no one is going to weigh my bag at a USA gate. But what's the situation in Lisbon? Do they have scales at the gates? If not, I should be golden with my 10kg carry-on.