Unfair excess bag charge flying BA

jc292

I booked an economy return ticket with BA to the USA. Both directions the flight had a BA flight number, but the return leg was operated by American Airlines as a 'code share'.

I hold Silver status in BA exec club (I flew a lot with work pre pandemic and they were quite generous in extending the time for its customers).  This allows me 2x bags up to 32kg on any class of booking. So I took two heavy bags.

On the way out this was no issue.  On the way back, American Airlines charged me 77 dollars overweight fee per bag.  This is because their equivalent level (which is Oneworld Sapphire) does not recognise the extra weight allowance unless you travel first or business, and I was in economy.

However their system instructed the check-in staff to apply BA policies, their record of BA's policy did not match that on the BA website.  They acknowledged the discrepancy but basically wouldn't budge on the charge and I was forced to front up nearly 150 dollars to check in or miss my flight.

I complained to BA via their online form but predictably have received no reply at all.

I wonder if I'm in the right or wrong here - it seems that if BA sell me a return ticket, and let me take that volume.of luggage out, then surely I should be allowed to bring it back again.  

Interested to hear if anyone has any opinion or suggestions on this!

Caz3121

https://www.britishairways.com/en-au/information/baggage-essentials/checked-baggage-allowances
the info on baggage for Silver does say "2 checked bags up to 32kg (70lb) in any travel cabin"
but also says "The above allowances apply to British Airways flights only."
You may be better posting on the BA board on FlyerTalk where you are likely to find more experts on this to confirm whether right or wrong

jc292

Thanks I wasn't aware of that forum, I've asked there also.  

For anyone interested in following the link is https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/2092778-unfair-excess-baggage-charge-ba-silver.html