IAN-UK

There's no problem at the gate, unless you are manifestly over-burdened and significantly outside the limit.

the "check-in acknowledgement" rather than the issue of a boarding card seems to be becoming more common. I understand it's a question of a mismatch between airport systems and those of the airline, and the need to do visa (and other) checks before the passenger goes airside,

Palal

Yes. Online, using the app or at the airport (kiosk or counter)

lhrpete

This is the norm at LHR on all *A flights from T2, the ground handling is contracted and they tend to weigh almost all economy hand luggage and especially rollers. In business/first they leave you alone though.

Governator

Here's the PDF with the text that JFSV quoted earlier: Baggage and Service Fees

Thai-Kiwi

Having been only a few times in the US and seen the size and number of what US travellers seems to want to carry on-board, I much prefer the approach in many non-US countries where carry-on is limited to 8kg-10kg and anything over this is checked. This seems to make boarding and deplaning a much more pleasant experience.

GoofyG28

Has anyone with *A Gold status flown on a TAP Discount ticket lately and was able to check in one bag?

In a rush to secure the flights I wanted, I booked my (first ever) TAP flights (LGW -> OPO, then LIS ->LHR) last night without realizing it's the "Discount" one. Now I have 0 baggage allowance. I'm a Krisflyer PPS member so hoping I can check in my one suitcase.

San Gottardo

oliver2002

Seats are not free for *G. My last experience is November 2018. However you can change the asigned seating online at T-3h and I sat in the front rows or exit rows each time.

iahphx

If I entered my information correctly, it appears that TAP is playing the "no free checked bag for Star Gold members on deep discount" game." Sigh. As noted up-thread, I just went through this annoyance with another Star Alliance carrier at LHR when I didn't know whether they would hassle me with the weight of my rollerboard. At least I learned that if I use a crummy, lighter-weight rollerboard (think Walmart quality), I can pack 4 or 5 days worth of clothing and still get within 8 kg. I kind of prefer that to travelling with my regular bag and facing the "stress" of being gate-hassled. All this annoyance for a pound or two.

https://book.flytap.com/bagsim/BaggageStart.aspx?_l=en

Palal

A month ago, I flew them and was able to check a bag as A3*G with no issues. The allowance only appears at check-in, not in "my reservations".

GoofyG28

Interesting... So it's as if there's conflicting info even now (May 2019). TAP's website doesn't explicitly mention *AG can get one free bag on DISCOUNT tickets. However, it also does NOT explicitly say *AG do NOT get a free bag. Same on *A's website (https://www.staralliance.com/en/recognition) -- TAP is not mentioned.

I decided to contact TAP via Facebook chat. They replied very quickly to say "Yes Star Alliance Gold members can bring 1 hold luggage up to 23kg without any charge." I figured that's enough visual evidence right there if the check-in staff gives me a tough time. "See? You guys told me I get a free bag! Look at my FB messenger!"

But then I decided to reconfirm this by contacting TAP via their website (via my TAP account that I created). It took a few days for them to email me back to tell them to call them (they called but I couldn't answer my phone). I called them back today, only for them to put me on hold (not for too long) and tell me that they do NOT have an answer and that I must call Star Alliance instead! Hahaha

So i'm taking my chances and will just wait. I also made bids to upgrade to business class, so it's a moot point if my bids are accepted. If they are not, I will just try my luck and see what happens when I do online check-in. If I don't see the option of one free bag, will it be too late for me add a bag for 29 euros at that point?

iahphx

Thanks for trying GoofyG28. And I thought this alliance thing was supposed to make travel easier and more predictable.

What annoys me is that, for the carry-ons, we're talking a couple of pounds. Honestly, give me 10 kg for my carry-on (or just don't weigh it) and I don't care so much about my checked bag allowance.

Knobbgb

Hi. Does anybody here know if domestic flights operated by Portugalia are treated the same as mainline TP flights in terms of non-TAP *G benefits? I'm A3 Gold and there are many complaints over on "our" forum about Golds from other airlines being denied benefits because Aegean have many flights "operated by Olympic" (but still flown with Aegean metal). The TAP and Portugalia flights I'm looking at have 'main-line' flight numbers in a similar sequence so I'm guessing the situation is similar to that with SAS where their regional jet services are treated the same as main-line. I'm specifically interested in lounge access at LIS, OPO and/or MAD. I know from the discussions above that the free checked bag issue is "undecided", but, whichever way that goes, are Portugalia flights treated the same as main-line in this respect too?

So, in short, is Portugalia a fully integrated part of TAP in terms of benefits.

Thanks.

oliver2002

Same as main line.

IAN-UK

It's absolutely the same. To all effects, Portugalia is TAP.

I got a clue to the confusion about *G and bags on TAP. Just a clue

A helpful third-party ground agent at an airport with no TAP presence (beyond aircraft and crew!), told me it's near impossible to process payments without going through Lisbon and so everything is let go. He'd offered to check my bag even though i was on an HBO fare. I didn't take it up, but asked how come I'd been given the offer.

He also said the service specifications have been cut - number of desks open, time of opening etc