Discrepancy In Baggage Allowances
 

We're in a quandry of what to do. We are flying from Newark via Frankfurt on Lufthansa then on to Zagreb via Croatia Airlines. Lufthansa allows 2 pieces of luggage at 50 pounds each and Croatia allows only one bag at 44 pounds. We'll check our bags all the way to Zagreb. But, and this is the hooker, coming back home we'll leave on Croatia Airlines from Dubrovnik to Frankfurt with only a single 44 pound limit, then back to the liberal Lufthansa allowances of 2 bags 50 pounds each. Does anyone know if Croatia Airlines actually weighs the one bag. Any suggestions of how we might overcome this discrepancy?

Try to limit yourself to one bag per person. I could not imagine traveling with 200 lbs. of luggage for two persons. But then I am the mule in the family.

If they have a limit, chances are they'll enforce it.

Can't imagine why anyone would need more than 44 lbs. of luggage, assuming this is just a vacation trip.

I agree with the other posters, 44 lbs should be sufficient unless you will be gone for a long time. Even then, I can't imagine why anyone would need 100 lbs.

What is the carryon size and weight limit on Croatia Airlines? You can likely carry on 10 or 15 pounds, which would give you 50 to 60 pounds for each person.

These limits are not uncommon, many airlines only one checked bag now.

<<Does anyone know if Croatia Airlines actually weighs the one bag. Any suggestions of how we might overcome this discrepancy?>>

Forgot to answer the question.

I've never traveled on an airline that didn't weigh the luggage. Usually it's when you check the bag in and they attach the label with the flight numbers and final destination. I've seen the scale in some airports, but not in most so usually ask what the weight is. Sometimes it's printed out on your baggage claim check.

So, yes, I think they will weigh your luggage.

I don't know about Croatia Airlines, but I agree that I've never seen any airline that didn't actually weigh your bags. They might not weight it if it were small enough to be a carryon, but they definitely will if it is checked and is that large.

That is really a huge amount of luggage (over 44 pounds). I've never gone over that, even when packing a 25" suitcase very full with some heavier sweaters, some ski things, and other winter clothes and boots, etc. You probably could go over that if you had a 29" packed very full.

The problem is not knowing how much a bag might weigh until arrival at the airport - then finding the bag is overweight. Solution is to determine the weight before leaving for the airport. On Croatian Airlines the overweight charge is ten euros per kilo. And as far as airlines checking weight - I've found it that often they don't, especially if using the curbside checkin where they seldom check. I appreciate all your help on this topic and will just have to find a way to weigh my bag before the airport for my two-weeks living out of a suitcase.

If your flight back is simply a code-share from Zagreb to Newark with a connection in Frankfurt, all on the same ticket, it's worth checking if the overseas limit applies to the intra-Europe leg as well. As far as I know, this is generally the case.

Paul

If you have a bathroom scale, stand on the scale without the luggage and then again with the luggage. The difference is the weight of the luggage.

My husband and I travel all over the world and based upon our experience with luggage, I don't think that it's all that uncommon for 2 people on vacation to take 2 bags (@ 50 lbs a bag) on a vacation trip. Men's shoes, in particular, weigh a ton and not everyone is a backbacker, going to the beach, or would like to do laundry on their vacation. Personally, I love to take a bunch of books to read and then I leave them in hotels, etc. so my bags actually get lighter as I travel freeing up room for souvenirs, etc.

We typically take two large bags - each one pushing up to the 50 lb limit - and then we each take our respective carryons.

My advice: Minimize the amount of stuff you want to take to what's reasonably comfortable for your travel habits. You don't want to be stressing out on vacation because you left something at home that you really want. If you're worried about leaving something home, just pay the extra baggage charge and be done with it.

Hi Adam,

we had a similar problem on oujt recent trip to Iceland.

the first leg with Ryanair allowed only 15kgs per bag and the Iceland express allowed 20kgs.

on the way out, we packed very carefully, wearing our walknig boots, carrying our coats and wearing our jumpers, then at Stanstead, we put all the extra items in the cases.

on the way back, we reversed the process.

AND i made this year's best purchase - a digital luggage scale, available in the UK from Lakeland - which we used to weigh the luggage before we went, AND took it with us. we got a few strange looks at Stanstead when we were weighing our luggage and rearranging stuff bewteen the different cases, but it was worth it is save £10 a kg.

we also took a rucksac each into which we could decant anything that wouldn't go in the case.

I don't know how long you're going to Croatia for, but remember that they will have shampoo etc, there, and that you can most probably get some washing done. also, it tends to be warm so you won't need your fur-lined boots.

have a great trip,

regards, ann

How to overcome the discrepancy. EASY... pack according to the lesser rules.

I use a single 24" rolling suitcase, no matter where I travel. It always weighs between 25 to 32 pounds when packed.

I agree with others I can't *imagine* traveling with 100 lbs. of luggage per person, unless I was moving to Europe permanently.

I have never been on an airline that didn't weigh the luggage.

Adam7 mentions curbside check-in. I have never seen this anywhere but the USA so don't expect to see it on your European travels. Pretty unusual I think.

Kay

No one needs 100 lbs of luggage. And no one needs 2 large suitcases.

Some people may WANT to take that much stuff, but it definitely isn't necessary.

&quot;<i>I don't think that it's all that uncommon for 2 people on vacation to take 2 bags (@ 50 lbs a bag) on a vacation trip. </i>&quot;

Sure - lots of people do it. But doesn't make it sensible. Just as many can do a month w/ a 21 inch roll aboard weighting about 20-25 lbs total.

Most Target, Walmart, luggage stores, etc., sell handheld luggage scales for about $10 that you can use to weigh your luggage at home.

janisj-

The tone of your post is insulting.

Your statements that no one needs 100 lbs of luggage or 2 large suitcases are inconsiderate. I would like to know how you personnally know what I NEED when I travel - especially when the time period for travel isn't considered. You know nothing of the places we stay, events we attend, etc.

While I appreciate the fodors board for what it is, people's opinions, you also have to respect the fact that others have opinion's that differ from yours.

While it appears that you don't need 100 lbs of luggage or 2 large suitcases, please refrain from insulting those of us that do.

My initial post was just to note to adam7 that there's no need to fret about the baggage allowances - you always have the option of paying for excess baggage.

Guess I am a wimp but I wouldn't even want to think about having to handle two 50 pounds pieces of luggage plus a carryon.

I have more than once spent two months in Italy with a 26 inch piece of luggage and a small carryon that fits under the seat ahead of me when on the airplane.

Adam, I would encourage you to really rethink your luggage idea. Best regards.

sanshag is (most likely) correct:

If you travel on one ticket (codeshare LH/Croatia) the &quot;2 pieces at 50 pounds&quot; rule will apply for each leg of your trip, also back from Croatia.
But ask your airline to be on the safe side.

Count me in the wimp category! I won't travel with more than I (60+ female) can carry, which means one under the seat size carry on and one checked convertible backpack/suitcase weighing less than 25 lbs. And I've traveled for as long as ten months with that. Even if I could carry more, I can't imagine how I could come up with 100 lbs worth - do tell, what weighs so much?

LoriS: &quot;<i>The tone of your post is insulting.</i>&quot;

Don't be so touchy. You said it is very common to see folks schlepping tons of luggage. And I said that is true - but just as many can manage w/ a fraction of that &quot;stuff&quot;.

I repeat - no one NEEDS to take tons of luggage - but lots of folks CHOOSE to. You choose to. That is your <u>choice</u>.

Doesn't matter much where one travels or to what types of events (except for some types of sports equipment) - cloths and shoes don't weigh that much.

(Its pretty hard to have a simple discussion on here when any little thing upsets the more sensitive souls)