New Qantas Baggage Allowances I have just seen the new Qantas baggae allowances and it seems that Platinum's flying international in economy have had their allowance halved from

New Qantas Baggage Allowances

I have just seen the new Qantas baggae allowances and it seems that Platinum's flying international in economy have had their allowance halved from 96 kg to 50 kg. This seems to be even LESS than the domestic allowance.

Does anyone have any experience on how vigorously these limits are enforced ? Have any Plat's been asked to pay excess fees or are these more of a guide ?

A Platinum member is a seriously frequent flyer, for it takes 3 return Business class trips to London each year to maintain that level.  I can't imagine such a frequent flyer wanting to take anything like 96kg.  For flexibility in moving around any city I keep my luggage to one suitcase and one or more smaller pieces for the cabin, a total weight of around 30kg.  How many people here would ever want to take more than 50kg?  What would your circumstances be to demand that much luggage?

Phil, it's a reasonable argument, but I've done a lot of conferences where it's very handy to be able to chuck a box or two of printed materials, promo items and so on in a suitcase rather than organising delivery to a hotel.

And the corollary to the argument is: given that most business travellers won't be going near that amount, why cut it in the first place?

Good point John!

From a big picture perspective, there are some good and bad points about this alliance.

Does anyone know what internal KPI Qantas has set for itself to judge the success of this alliance?

It's EK that will be getting more bums on seats now, and therefore more bags, not QF.  So it would be reasonable for EK to want to adjust down to the QF allowance if that were the case. But for QF to be adjusting down to EK allowance is just another chapter in the QF litany of business/first and FF customer rip-offs. Call me cynical - because when it comes to QF I definitely am by dint of long experience. That's why I'm down from QF Plat to Silver and up from EK Blue to Gold. Vote with your feet on this one.

The limits were only increased six months ago... The new lmits are very similar to the old limits....

wilsoni - How can it be a QF ripoff if they are the same as EK... Both limits are still far better than a lot of airlines, and to be honest I am happy if it allows them to reduce lead in prices to better match the competition.

Because we were told the alliance would not lead to reductions in service or amenity, only improvements?

Because QF has seized the first opportunity to take back what they lauded only a few months ago as improved service and amenity?

I've heard of up to 170kgs of suitcases being loaded on to QF93 as a First pax (Plat One) without the check in staff batting an eye lid. Trust me, QF are not stupid enough to charge a couple of hundred dollars in excess baggage to someone who flies with them every second day in premium cabins 

I myself have loaded 60kg domesitically on QF in Eco (Plat QFF) and they didn't say a thing.

Taking note of the newly announced additional 20kg checked baggage oneworld Emerald benefit that was announced at the joining of Malaysia Airlines, if you look at each of the baggage limits for Economy, Business and First and then add on the 20kg you get the same limit as what Qantas has published for its own Platinum frequent flyers.

While the limit is still quite sizable, Qantas' isn't providing any additional baggage allowance to it's own Platinums that it has to provide to other oneworld Emeralds. This is a bit disappointing.

I do 3-4 trips Perth to USA each year and I take training materials with me each time - around 75 KGs worth.  So the allowance for Platinum is a benefit. I've never been asked to pay excess baggage.

I also mail 5 boxs with Australia Post before I leave (about 13 KG per box) and this is usually about AUD $1,200.

So the luggage allowance is worth at least that much to me each flight!

Tip: Might want to try UPS, DHL or FEDEX