British Airways checked baggage limits!!!

Smiley_Mum

Just a word of warning re BA checked baggage allowance. I received itinerary etc of flights, clearly states 2 pieces of luggage up to 23kgs in weight, so 6 bags total for checked luggage. Due to a total F*K up with the baggage when we arrived at our final destination, they lost our bags, received 4 days into our holiday. Had to purchase extra items etc to cover for not having luggage etc. I packed up 4 bags, we went with three. Arrived at airport and the check in person stated, just three bags allowed. I was surprised as it clearly stated on allowances on itinerary, received just 2 days before we left that we were allowed 2 bags a piece plus one carry on. Nine bags in total. Given their muck up with bags etc at beginning of holiday, this was the reason for us having four bags. She was was going to charge us for excess baggage of 100 euros. Thankfully, after much shunting around of the other things in our bags, we manage to cram in enough to make one bag carry on, although it was pretty heavy. Very nearly ended up being charged excess baggage costs due to being completely misinformed by BA. It clearly states on their website that you can take 2 pieces of luggage etc, clearly, and I also have a copy of the email itinerary etc. I haven't misread it at all as the check in person was screaming at me. I was later told by a chap at Gatwick that the reason they screw you over the luggage is so that they can carry more cargo on the way out/back etc. They tell you in the T&Cs you can carry this much (2 bags), then you get to the airport and you get told 1 bag. If you can't shunt around your things to make things lighter, you get charged excess. Be careful, travel as light as you can. We only had the extra due to the loss of our luggage on the way out, otherwise we'd have been ok. Talk about shock to the system.

Thanks to the lady at the Gatwick Whisky shop who gave me a shot of malt whisky also, to help the stress levels.

maninthestreet

Was this a long-haul or short-haul flight?

Andy_L

OP was paying in Euros so prob short haul. The check in staff may have been confused between Euro Traveller (one checked bag) and Club Europe (2 bags)

Smiley_Mum

The itinerary I printed off before we left clearly states "2 bags at 23kgs each (max. bag weight 23kg) per adult/child".

I just checked it now and it has been changed to...

1 bags at 23kg each (max. bag weight 23kg) per adult / child

Hand baggage allowance
Passengers departing from or transferring through the UK, may

I wonder how many people got stung for excess baggage costs with that blunder.

British Airways...huh!!!

snu

Did you still have the original printout?

Perhaps it's worth emailing them and mention that you wouldn't have taken 2 cases each unless you would have read something that states that it would be OK to do so (ie the Itinery).

However unless you have evidence they will probably sweep you under the carpet and insist that no publication has ever said that.

Smiley_Mum

I do have a print out of the intinerary that I had to access online etc, via reference number of the booking etc. Thankfully, we managed to shuffle stuff around in the other cases to make a bag "light" enough for carry on but it certainly didn't feel light. I feel sorry for the people who got caught out by British Airways blunder when they sent out their itineraries stating how much checked luggage allowance they were allowed, and then ending up having to pay excess baggage charges. I will now, as a rule of thumb, check beforehand with the airline and also check their website to ensure the checked baggage allowances. Also, travel as light as possible. Only had excess due to their muck up losing our luggage for several days on the way out and having to buy extra clothing, footwear, toiletries, bags etc etc.

PeteMc

Economy flights to the US by BA are 2 bags at 23kg.

All other Economy BA flights are 1 bag at 23kg.

I reckon they put the wrong bit in your itinerary.

regularsaver1

Ooo mine next week is 30kg

SaraSeahorse

I must admit I was surprised when you said you had an itinerary stating two pieces of 23kg per person this would be highly unusual.

I understand how aggravating it would have been but as a fairly experienced traveller I would have checked queried this. But I do understand people not use to standard luggage limits would have just accepted what was on the itinerary.

SaraSeahorse

"I was later told by a chap at Gatwick that the reason they screw you over the luggage is so that they can carry more cargo on the way out/back etc. They tell you in the T&Cs you can carry this much (2 bags), then you get to the airport and you get told 1 bag. If you can't shunt around your things to make things lighter, you get charged excess."


surely if this was the case I think more people would have complained and there would have been something in the papers about along lines of "BA Baggage Hustle"


anyone travelling BA this gives the allowances:

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagchk/public/en_gb

some class tickets do allow two bags, maximum weight per bag 23kg

may be worth taking copy of this with you to check in if BA are running some sort of check in baggage scam for money