After spending 1+ hour on the phone to Qantas, and 30 minutes on the phone to AA, I am more confused than ever!
Having flown SYD-LAX-IAD a couple of weeks ago, I am soon to fly MCI-LAX-SYD. All on the one ticket. The MCI-LAX leg is AA metal, with a QF flight number.
I flew to the USA with two checked bags, but would like to bring THREE checked bags home to Australia. I am a Qantas Club member, but only a bronze FF.
Qantas say that AA will make me pay for the third checked bag on the MCI-LAX leg. I called AA - they said they don't know! They said the check-in staff at MCI *might* let me check in the third bag for free, or they might charge me close to $200USD.
As you might imagine, I'm keen to avoid that cost if possible. Has anyone been in this circumstance?
Under USA and Canadian regulations, if your final ticketed origin or
destination is within the USA or Canada, the airline whose flight number
appears for the first flight on your ticket will determine whether its
baggage rules or another airline's baggage rules will apply to all the
flights in your itinerary. For travel between Australia and the USA,
usually (but not always) Qantas' baggage rules will apply. However, note
that any additional allowance for Qantas Frequent Flyers or Qantas Club
members applies only to the flights specified above.
Qantas Club members and Silver and Gold Qantas Frequent Flyers, Economy: 3 pieces up to 23kg (50lb) each
If you've purchased international and domestic flights and these are on
the same ticket, the international checked baggage allowance applies to
the domestic flights too. Where the international and domestic flights
are on separate tickets, if the connection time is within the same
calendar day the international checked baggage allowance is accepted on both
flights. Be sure to present both tickets when checking your baggage in.
Exceptions apply.
However, the website also states:
Allowances for Qantas Frequent Flyers
Some Qantas Frequent Flyer and Qantas Club members are entitled to an
additional non ticketed checked baggage allowance. This allowance
applies to travel on:
Qantas and QantasLink operated flights with a QF flight number
(excluding services to and from Lord Howe Island and QF codeshare
services).
Emirates operated flights between and within Europe, The Middle
East, North Africa, Asia, New Zealand and Australia when booked with
either a QF or EK flight number on your ticket.
Note: any additional Frequent Flyer checked baggage allowance you may
be eligible to does not apply to QF codeshare services operated by
carriers other than Qantas, QantasLink and Emirates and is not
cumulative. For example, whether you're a Silver Qantas Frequent Flyer, a
Qantas Club member, or both, the same allowance applies. Check the
operating carrier's baggage policy prior to travelling.
Given the conflicting wording, it looks like you might have a 50/50 shot! Your best contact here would be Qantas as it's a Qantas ticket and you're relying on your Qantas Club membership.
aeroguy
aeroguy
Member since 29 Sep 2017
Total posts 2
Hi All,
After spending 1+ hour on the phone to Qantas, and 30 minutes on the phone to AA, I am more confused than ever!
Having flown SYD-LAX-IAD a couple of weeks ago, I am soon to fly MCI-LAX-SYD. All on the one ticket. The MCI-LAX leg is AA metal, with a QF flight number.
I flew to the USA with two checked bags, but would like to bring THREE checked bags home to Australia. I am a Qantas Club member, but only a bronze FF.
Qantas say that AA will make me pay for the third checked bag on the MCI-LAX leg. I called AA - they said they don't know! They said the check-in staff at MCI *might* let me check in the third bag for free, or they might charge me close to $200USD.
As you might imagine, I'm keen to avoid that cost if possible. Has anyone been in this circumstance?
Thanks!
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
From the Qantas website:
Under USA and Canadian regulations, if your final ticketed origin or destination is within the USA or Canada, the airline whose flight number appears for the first flight on your ticket will determine whether its baggage rules or another airline's baggage rules will apply to all the flights in your itinerary. For travel between Australia and the USA, usually (but not always) Qantas' baggage rules will apply. However, note that any additional allowance for Qantas Frequent Flyers or Qantas Club members applies only to the flights specified above.
Qantas Club members and Silver and Gold Qantas Frequent Flyers, Economy: 3 pieces up to 23kg (50lb) each
If you've purchased international and domestic flights and these are on the same ticket, the international checked baggage allowance applies to the domestic flights too. Where the international and domestic flights are on separate tickets, if the connection time is within the same calendar day the international checked baggage allowance is accepted on both flights. Be sure to present both tickets when checking your baggage in. Exceptions apply.
However, the website also states:
Allowances for Qantas Frequent Flyers
Some Qantas Frequent Flyer and Qantas Club members are entitled to an additional non ticketed checked baggage allowance. This allowance applies to travel on:
Note: any additional Frequent Flyer checked baggage allowance you may be eligible to does not apply to QF codeshare services operated by carriers other than Qantas, QantasLink and Emirates and is not cumulative. For example, whether you're a Silver Qantas Frequent Flyer, a Qantas Club member, or both, the same allowance applies. Check the operating carrier's baggage policy prior to travelling.
Given the conflicting wording, it looks like you might have a 50/50 shot! Your best contact here would be Qantas as it's a Qantas ticket and you're relying on your Qantas Club membership.
aeroguy
aeroguy
Member since 29 Sep 2017
Total posts 2
Yes their website is as clear as mud. I've phone Qantas twice - have received a different answer on each occasion...