RTW Baggage Rules
 

Does anyone know how baggage rules are applied to RTW tickets? Years ago it used to be a consistent and generous allowance for the entire trip –for Golds that meant 3 pieces x 32kgs. Then it changed to the individual airline’s allowance – which meant some airlines would only allow a maximum 23 kg. Now the *A website states “Baggage allowances and charges differ from airline to airline. Unfortunately, they cannot be standardised across the Alliance for legal reasons.”

Does Most Significant Carrier rules come in to play for RTWs? My upcoming journey is NRT-ZRH (LX), MUC-YVR (LH), YVR-AKL(NZ), AKL-MEL(NZ), MEL-SIN(SQ), SIN-ICN(SQ), ICN-NRT(OZ)

My ticket issued through LH via the *A website states:

in Business Class:
1st checked bag up to 70lbs up to 62“ free of charge
2nd checked bag up to 70lbs up to 62“ free of charge
Carry-on baggage max. 2 piece up to 18lbs up to 22+16+9” free of charge

Is the weight limit accurate? Or will NZ charge me for over weight baggage if I’m over the 23 kgs per piece they allow when I check-in for their flight mid-itinerary? What happens on SQ if I’m over 60kg total?

That is your allowance for every flight.

If an agent disputes it, ask for a supervisor and show them the printed
ticket.

Thanks for the reply. I do wonder if the LH baggage statement is generic and I'll get push back from another airline's agent. In the past, YVR has been strict in enforcing rules perhaps because NZ uses contract check-in agents. But as you suggest, I'll stand my ground :)

Getting ready for my trip, I printed out my eticket info and read some more fine print which I find rather confusing.

My receipt shows the free allowance as 1) 70lbs weight per bag, 2) LH baggage rules apply for the journey, 3) Air New Zealand's baggage policy may apply.

Not all that helpful in determining my weight limits so I telephoned NZ to ask not wanting to be hit with extraordinary baggage fees at the airport.

The agent researched and came back with (paraphrasing) 'for your journey of YVR-AKL, NZ is the most significant carrier so our baggage policy is enforced. *A allowance for the RTW ticket is 30 kg per person in business so our allowance of 3 x 23 is better.'

My take from the call is that baggage rules are applied per segment and the most significant carrier rules apply for that part of the ticket.

Doesn't this effectively mean NZ only applies the MSC on journeys we're the passenger is directly connecting from another airline without collecting baggage? e.g. ZRH-LAX-AKL and not ZRH-LAX (stop) LAX-AKL?.

That's how it reads to me too. I wonder if practical experience agrees.

MSC rules are meaningless when you're confronted with check-in agents who insist on applying their carrier's rules to your flight. It then becomes pay the fee or leave the bag behind. And possibly request a refund after the fact.

You would be smart to limit your bags to 23kg's if you can help it..... 46kg's per person should be plenty to get you around the world in comfort :-).

Or of you intend to stick to one bag, just include a small duffel or something like that so you can transfer some stuff to a second bag. it's also useful for those purchases you will make along the way...