jammasterjake

Has anyone else experienced the joke of checked baggage that is non-Trans-Atlantic flights?

I'm flying from Johannesburg to Frankfurt before heading home to the U.S. with 4 bags / 60 or 70 kgs of luggage. Max allowance is 20 kg on Qatar, Egypt Air, you name it....

Overage charges are around 23 euros per kilo. What an absolute joke. Anyone know any way around this / better airlines to fly?

travelgourmet

Some sort of elite status might help, but otherwise, you are pretty much out of luck. I am unaware of any airlines that are significantly more generous than others.

You should also note that the trans-Atlantic weight limits have changed and the norm is now 1 bag @ 23kg, again, unless you are an elite flier.

NoFlyZone

The 20 kg limit is pretty much the standard for international flights, at least on many non-US airlines. But I agree that EUR23 is horrendous and punitive.

If you are an elite flyer it is possible an alliance carrier will give you a break. Or consider upgrading to business or first class which may increase the allowance.

Else you should probably just ship the stuff you don't need in Europe directly home.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Pack lighter?

Only you can answer why four bags are necessary for your trip. Ask yourself if they really are.

jammasterjake

Ha - Jeff, I know. 4 bags were a struggle. I've been working in South Africa for several months.

Any suggestions on freight services? Even these seem quite expensive - around US$900.

alanRow

If you have booked Johannesburg to the US as one flight - even if it was via Frankfurt, then you'd get the Transatlantic baggage allowance

travelgourmet

<i>If you have booked Johannesburg to the US as one flight - even if it was via Frankfurt, then you'd get the Transatlantic baggage allowance</i>

But this likely won't matter, as most (all?) of the major carriers have adopted a 23kg limit for trans-Atlantic flights.

NoFlyZone

Delta, for one, allows most travelers up to two bags of maximum 23kg each (fees may apply to the second). For elites, it is two bags of up to 32 kg (free). Business class passengers get up to 3 bags of up to 32 kg each (free). Air France is similar.

jammasterjake

NoFly / alan - thanks for the info. It led to me searching Kayak for multicity trips, and Air France has a sub-$1,000 ticket for the whole itenerary. They also have a more lenient extra baggage policy.

A couple last things to figure out. They are questions for Air France, but I don't have phone access for the day.
1. Can I carry on my guitar? I'll be damned if I check this thing.
2. Will I need to buy extra baggage allowances for both legs?
3. My second leg is an Air France operated by Delta. Not sure if I have to work through them for baggage as well.

Thanks for the help everyone!

alanRow

<<< But this likely won't matter, as most (all?) of the major carriers have adopted a 23kg limit for trans-Atlantic flights. >>>

BA is still 2x23kg for Cattle Class - and you can buy additional allowance at a reasonable rate