Qantas passengers will face an increase up to 75% in excess baggage charges on domestic flights when travelling with more luggage than their ticket allows.
Arrive at the airport with one extra bag beyond the allowance on your ticket and you’ll be hit with a $70 fee, up from $40 previously, while the charge applied to additional suitcases rises from $60 to $90.
For example: if you’re booked in domestic economy class with the standard 1x23kg allowance and have three checked bags, your first bag remains free (as long as it's not over 23kg), the second bag attracts a $70 fee and the third bag $90, totalling $160.
A further “heavy charge” also applies when any single piece of baggage exceeds 23kg (unless your ticket indicates a higher allowance), with the fee jumping from $30 to $50 per bag.
Savvy travellers who pre-pay for excess baggage via the Qantas website before they fly won't completely escape the increase, with the cost per additional bag nudging north from $30 to $35.
Qantas: no change to actual baggage allowances
The actual baggage allowance in economy or business class remains the same, as do the the extra baggage entitlements afforded to Qantas Club members and Silver, Gold, Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyers.
All that’s changing is the fee you’ll pay if you bring extra baggage beyond your total allowance, or for bags which are too heavy for those limited to 23kg per bag.
That means all business class passengers can continue to check-in two 32kg bags on domestic flights at no charge, with Platinum and Platinum One members able to carry a third 32kg bag gratis.
In economy,Qantas Club cardholders and Silver frequent flyers may still bring one bag of up to 32kg in weight (rather than the standard economy allowance of 1x23kg), with Gold-grade members and above permitted to bring 2x32kg bags without attracting additional charges.
Excess and heavy baggage fees remain unchanged on all Qantas international flights to all destinations.
Connect with other frequent flyers in our Qantas discussion group
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2016
Total posts 1
could someone please advise regarding luggage restrictions on a Jetstar reward flight? my wife and I are travelling to Japan at the end of the year and I was wondering if we will still receive the 1 x 32kg bag allowance as we are both Silver QFF members. I couldn't work out if the rules are different flying on a jetstar reward and we dont want to get caught out at the airport. Thank you
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Nov 2011
Total posts 122
I don't believe you get any perks as a QFF status member on JQ. Reward flight would be just the one included bag.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Nov 2013
Total posts 476
tmsmile is correct Eden, I'm Qantas Platinum and flying AKL-WEL next week and my baggage allowance is (free) 1x 20kg.
17 May 2012
Total posts 81
Qantas never stops bracket creeping. This time tucked in behind the new logo launch and its fanfare.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Nov 2013
Total posts 476
I actually don't have a problem with this.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 May 2011
Total posts 363
I feel this comment in my soul!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2012
Total posts 137
Given the balancing act between fuel required and PAX capacity to get a plane from Perth to London, I'm quite surprised that Qantas haven't investigated the NZ Air "sky couch" concept which effectively provides 3 seats to two people paying a 'premium' for the extra space. This would have seemed to be a good opportunity on a flight of 18 hours duration.
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