Cost of checked luggage in Myanmar
 

While trying to figure out my luggage and packing for this 2 months trip. I went online to check AirBagans luggage allowance. If I read it correctly they charge a minumum of $1 per kilo some legs are as high as $3 per kilo. Is this correct?

I try to travel light but my suitcase still weighs more than 1 kilo................

I don't understand, NY. You know that there is a 20 k free baggage allowance, right? Are you talking about excess baggage charges?

According to their website each kilo is weighed and charged for, unless I'm not reading it correctly, which is also a distinct possibility.

It says air baggage rate most legs are $2/kilo. Underneath is a table for Air Cargo.

Nywoman,

You are allow 20kg per passenger so no need to worry unless you have a lot excess weight(luggage). If you do have a lot of extras you can probably keep some in Thailand at your hotel or pay extra for business class(30kg per pax). Try to get the flights with the Fokker jets on Air Bagan as they are the most comfortable.

OK I see why it's confusing - http://www.airbagan.com/baggage-info.htm

I don't think you have to worry as we flew with them in Dec 06 and we were given the standard 20kg per pax allowance.

Gawd, NY - this is just not an issue. That pre-travel lobotomy has kicked in nicely I see. lol lol lol. Deep breathing.

Say after me: 'They will not charge me for the first twenty kilos, they will not charge me for the first twenty kilos...'

While I have your attention, NY - a word of advice on luggage retrieval at Yangon domestic. Little men may run up and steal [demand] your baggage tickets, then run away again - into oblivion, for all you know.

You have a choice here, panic and weep - or trust Dog and BELIEVE that somewhere in that amazing luggage scramble is a man with your bags.

On the evidence of this post, I'd suggest sedatives as well. lol.

I'm so looking forward to your trip. Several of the regular posters in here have had to be sedated at the thought of your heroic lack of actual planning - I live vicariously and rejoice in it.

The airline system in Burma seems to be from another planet, doesn't it? I'm still amazed that there are no direct flights between two of the "big four" destinations.

When do you leave for SE Asia?

Of course, Kathy, that luggage tip is for you guys as well. So now you can be alert for luggage oddities in Heho and Yangon domestic. It seems that the luggage lads are unlikely to steal your bags [for fear of execution] so sanguine resignation is the best emotional response. Unlike Dog's response, which was to panic and fret.

If you guys have guides then don't worry about the porters. We didn't have guides and only had to use their, the porters or "luggage lads", service once and that was at the domestic arrival of Yangon airport.

Yes, there are porters at the domestic arrival in Yangon airport and even if you have a guide or someone meeting you, you will have to deal with these guys - just trust them - somehow the system works.

Oh, by the way, we were fleeced at almost every airport for the extra baggage charge. The first 20 kilos are free, however...

LOL Dogster don't worry ooooooommmmmmmmmm is the word, at least for now.

Thanks Hanuman for your input. I am traveling as lightly as possible, well under 20 kgs. I leave Wednesday the 7th for Singapore. 1 night in BKK where I am leaving the formal wear and extra stuff. On to Laos then back to BKK and Chiang Mai. This is where I got stuck because I am going directly to Burma via BKK and was trying to figure out some logistics.

This pre-trip planning is very interesting and educational.
Went to the bank today to ask for brand new notes. They didn't have any because The Federal Reserve has not printed in awhile. Never even thought of that, which of course makes a lot of sense.

No guides to meet me anywhere, but there are usually young people who take pity on a little old lady.

When I read this, dogster, I remembered your previous warning about the porters, which I had forgotten. We aren't using guides, so I'll be glad to have these guys scramble for our luggage. I'm sure had I not known, I would have fretted too.

Nywoman, my bank tells me they can't order new bills for me. They can only order new bills at the holidays. Weird. When we went to Cambodia, we ordered a bundle of new $1 bills for each of us. Anyway, my bank is carefully saving the newest, crispest notes for me as they come in. "The Federal Reserve has not printed in awhile"? What a lame excuse - lol.

I'm looking forward to comparing notes on our experiences.

Bon Voyage, take good care and have a safe and terrific trip! We are heading to Europe tomorrow.

Shanghainese,
Have a wonderful trip and give my best to your DH. Don't get caught on any snowy mountains.

Bon Voyage Shanghainese. Have fun....

Just a thought. If your US notes are not pristine, perhaps you can exchange some of yours for prettier ones in a Singapore bank or elsewhere enroute. Hopefully some American tourists have had new notes stashed under their mattress for a year or two. It worked for me in Siem Reap.

Most important is nothing written on them. I have also ironed clean but crumpled notes before departure but then NYWoman you probably know I iron anything that stands still for more than five minutes. Sue

Funny, seems like everyone in government department is printing money except the Fed. I had difficulty last April getting like-new currency, except for $1's. I think Kathie you have the right idea though in having your bank save the newest bills for you.

That first sentence above should read "Funny, seems like everyone in government is printing money except the Fed". (ha ha)

That was my thought, Craig ;-)