Pacific Blue excess baggage - beware!

[Virago]

I came across a rather farcical situation today.

Our daughter has been in Auckland for nearly three months for specialist medical stuff, she's due back in Dunedin in two weeks.

Being a young lady on such a long and involved trip, she didn't travel light - two large suitcases went with her. A large chunk of that was her medical stuff.

We flew her up on Air New Zealand. They charged $15 for the additional large (25Kg) suitcase - quite reasonable really.

I've booked her return flight, opting for Pacific Blue. Alas, I didn't look into their excess baggage policy before booking.

Their policy - $8.00 per Kg over the allowance. That's $200.00 for the suitcase, way more that the $150 ticket price.

I phoned their customer services department and explained the situation. The result - their policy is not negotiable.

I can get the bag couriered door-to-door for a fraction of that cost, so that's probably what we'll do.

The real pisser is that, for $200 (or less), I could fly to Auckland using cheap mid-week flights, pick up the bag, and fly back. I'm almost tempted to do it, just to spite them - and to alert the media as to what I was doing...

Congratulations Pacific Blue, on such a display of pure blinkered bureaucracy.

[Elysium]

Domestic travel is way over-priced compared to other means of travel. Only useful when you need to get somewhere quick.

[Ragingrob]

$23 to Welly and back to Aucks for $30 ain't too bad I didn't think. Going down Sat coming back Tues evening. School hols too!

[Maha]

It seems that Jet Star may have a policy along the same lines (not that I have used them and probably wont) ....cheap air fairs but they get you with anything other than carry on. Air NZ everytime really...at least you know where you stand with our national carrier. We did use Pacific Blue once, no issue, but, probably spent about the same at the end of the day, taking into account the food that you pay for.
As for Jet Star...they want you to do their work for them, 'they will better any flight price by 10%'....so, I get a price form Air NZ, take it to Jet star and get it cheaper?...sorry Jet Star...give me your best price first up.

[Virago]

...cheap air fairs but they get you with anything other than carry on. Air NZ everytime really...

Yep, I accept that. BUT, Air NZ charge $15 for the extra bag, Pacific Blue charge $200...? :shit:

If they said they charge $20, or even $30, I'd happily pay - the trade-off for the slightly cheaper fare.

If I can fly to Auckland, pick up the bag and fly back, for $200 or cheaper, it kind of makes the situation extremely farcical. It's tempting...:laugh:

[Ragingrob]

Just pay for a seat on the plane for the bag and strap it in :lol:

[Mully]

Pac Blue must sell all their space for freight with those kind of charges.

Always read the fine print children.

[Virago]

Just pay for a seat on the plane for the bag and strap it in :lol:

Yep, looked at that too as a cheaper option - but apparently seats are for passengers only...:shifty:

[Ragingrob]

Yep, looked at that too as a cheaper option - but apparently seats are for passengers only...:shifty:

Put a baby in the suitcase :done:

[howdamnhard]

Support your national carrier. Budget airlines are good for competition and if its just you and your light carry on luggage and you don't mind being possibly late.

[Virago]

Pac Blue must sell all their space for freight with those kind of charges...

Possibly the ultimate irony. If we courier the bag down to save cost, it may even end up on the same plane - and be delivered to our door...:laugh:


...Always read the fine print children.

Lesson learnt...

[Kemet]

Fair Go!!!

at least make the bastards look stupid although I'm thinking they would mske a special case of you if you put em on the telly....

[Jiminy]

I think it's fair. I can only guess that Pacific Blue want to target passengers with cabin luggage only so they can cut the cost of handling checked-in luggages and increase their margin per passenger. If you don't fit that market segment, then you're better off with another airline. Of course that means that we now have to read the fine prints.

On a side note, I've been flying with Jetstar this week (late booking). I had never imagined one could reduce the leg room that much!

[Mikkel]

The company is free to charge whatever they want for their services - this is not a fair go case in any way. Noone has been misled or conned in any way. As a matter of fact I'm pretty sure AirNZ would have comparable overweight rates - if they choose not to enforce them then it's just extra customer service.

However, you as the customer is free to take your money elsewhere. Personally I've joined the "fuck the budget airlines - I'd rather pay a bit more and not be treated like a bloody money-cow"-crowd after having been through the Jetstar rip-off machine.

[Firefight]

[QUOTE=Virago;1129267904]



Alas, I didn't look into their excess baggage policy before booking.

[terbang]

Yas get what ya pay for...

[pzkpfw]

Being tallish, I was once offered the seat behind an emergency exit on a flight - great leg room. (No seat in front of me, next to the exit).

A few weeks ago I read that they now charge for the privilege (I guess, if you ask for that seat).

[XRVrider]

Im a travel agent, and you'll find that Air NZ, although overpriced, have fairly recently changed their stance on domestic baggage giving that option on an extra piece of up to 25 kgs for $15. Used to be one stowed bag at 20 kgs and one hand luggage piece that they hardly ever weigh (unless it looks big or heavy) but they would usually let you off 3 or 4 kgs or so if they felt like it.

So good on them for that change to 1 extra piece at $15, shame on them for their airfare pricing, especially to rural areas where they have only them as sole carrier. Lack of competition means higher prices.


Pacific Blue are a low budget airline, I've heard more stories than I care to remember, but they can be good and serve a purpose in the market. Pays to watch any no frills company, there are nearly always things to look out for.

[BMWST?]

Im a travel agent, and you'll find that Air NZ, although overpriced.

so you know how much it costs to operate an airline...

[steve_t]

Pac Blue have cheaper ticket prices.... they need to make up the difference somehow. They also appear to hire hotter flight attendants :niceone:
Is it true that Jetstar charge for ANY stowed baggage? :shit:
I've always supported AirNZ. I have heaps of airpoints dollars.... but they've now stopped servicing Hamiltron... NOT cool!!

[vifferman]

...Air NZ, although overpriced....shame on them for their airfare pricing, especially to rural areas where they have only them as sole carrier.
You'd rather they run flights at a loss, or alternatively, cut them back to once a week or whatever they need to do to fill them, then?
They're not allowed to run as a commercial business?
Of course, being a travel agent you don't get any cheap fares or 'famils' right?

[marty]

I came across a rather farcical situation today.



not farcical - reality.

before people slag off AirNZ, they need to actually have a look at the fine print for the 'cheap' operators.

take RyanAir for example. check-in for free via the net. you can't check in any other way. it costs 8 quid to print the boarding pass though, and you can't board without it......

[XRVrider]

so you know how much it costs to operate an airline...

No obviously not, do you? Do you work in this industry every day so see how things stack up? If so Im keen to hear your thoughts on pricing nationwide.

[XRVrider]

You'd rather they run flights at a loss, or alternatively, cut them back to once a week or whatever they need to do to fill them, then?
They're not allowed to run as a commercial business?
Of course, being a travel agent you don't get any cheap fares or 'famils' right?

1. No, Id rather that every time a competitor starts up business to smaller areas, that AIr NZ isnt allowed to cut their prices and blow the competition away before they start, ( I know its their choice and they dont want competition) and therefore keep their prices up as theres no one else to choose from. Many many flights are full, and yet we get no service increase, just higher prices as demand is there.

2. Yes (obviously)

3. No, famils are rare and I dont get any discount. Famils are a perk but you are still working when on them.

Just stating my thoughts on what I deal with every day.

[Pussy]

Most people would shit themselves if they knew the real cost of operating even a light aircraft

[firefighter]

IMO, $200 for a suitcase is very unresonable.

[p.dath]

I think you'll find Pacific Blue mentioned this in their launch. They are catering to the market that want a cheap flight with little or no luggage. And of course, if you book that service expecting something else you can expect a negative reaction. Where as Air NZ is more of a full service air line.

[White trash]

$8 per kg is quite simply farking stupid.

I can airfreight stuff to Sydney for $1.50/kg.

I can airfreight stuff from Houston to Auckland for christs sake for less than NZD8/kg.

It's a fucken ripoff.

[Ragingrob]

Pac Blue have cheaper ticket prices.... they need to make up the difference somehow. They also appear to hire hotter flight attendants :niceone:
Is it true that Jetstar charge for ANY stowed baggage? :shit:
I've always supported AirNZ. I have heaps of airpoints dollars.... but they've now stopped servicing Hamiltron... NOT cool!!

There are select tickets that may have carry-on baggage only yeah. For example the $23 tickets me and family are heading to Welly on... For a few days all ya need is a small bag anyway!

[Virago]

I think you'll find Pacific Blue mentioned this in their launch. They are catering to the market that want a cheap flight with little or no luggage. And of course, if you book that service expecting something else you can expect a negative reaction. Where as Air NZ is more of a full service air line.

In hindsight I recognise that. It's a mistake I won't make again.

However, their pricing structures have become so unbalanced that sheer stupidity has crept in. If I can fly with them to Auckland, pick up the bag, and fly back - for the same cost (or less) than they would charge to simply send the bag down with my daughter - then the whole process becomes a huge joke.

[p.dath]

In hindsight I recognise that. It's a mistake I won't make again.

However, their pricing structures have become so unbalanced that sheer stupidity has crept in. If I can fly with them to Auckland, pick up the bag, and fly back - for the same cost (or less) than they would charge to simply send the bag down with my daughter - then the whole process becomes a huge joke.

I can appreciate your frustration. I've done quite a bit of flying, and now I only travel with Air NZ. There are so many gotcha's that make otherwise cheap details more expensive.

When travelling overseas it becomes tricker, as some airlines including landing taxes, entry fees, etc, while others don't. I find Air NZ tends to include as many thigns as they can, so what you pay them tends to be the total price.

ps. I have often courierd stuff up to wear I was flying to in NZ - because as you have discovered it is simply cheaper. It also makes getting on and off the plane faster if you can avoid carrying any luggage.

[Robbo]

Support your national carrier. Budget airlines are good for competition and if its just you and your light carry on luggage and you don't mind being possibly late.

Yes, i used to support our local carrier with a passion untill they treated Hamilton with the contempt that they did. Firstly by pushing out the competition, then by insisting on airport upgrades which was done at great expense to the local areas, and then they just up and walked out when it did'nt suit them.
I believe that this move was also done to increase the demand for internal flights from the various regional airports to fly to Auckland International Airport and had far greater profit margins in it.
I have used Virgin Airlines once since and found that their service and prices were great and now that they have announced their intention to add Hamilton Airport to their international schedule i'm sure their support will continue to grow. :2thumbsup

[marty]

It's not all rosy on the national carrier though....

I took a 20kg tool box and a 45kg battery down to Timaru a few weeks ago. Was asked to pay excess luggage.

Wouldn't have been so bad, if I wasn't working for the airline, doing duty travel, to fix one of their planes.....

They saw the funny side.

On the flip side, There is usually no charge on AirNZ for MTB/tri bikes in boxes - I was going to Adelaide for BMX worlds, Adelaide flight looked full so priced AKL-MEL then connection to ADL with Jet*./PacBlue etc A$80pp MEL-ADL, but A$25 per bag, with possibly A$100 for the bike! Was cheaper to get a 1-way car rental and drive the 700kms.

[howdamnhard]

by insisting on airport upgrades which was done at great expense to the local areas

I have used Virgin Airlines once since and found that their service and prices were great and now that they have announced their intention to add Hamilton Airport to their international schedule i'm sure their support will continue to grow. :2thumbsup

The upgrades was money well spent as it allowed for Virgin to use Hamilton.Did not agree with the national airline pulling out but I'm am sure there was sound economical reasons for it,don't know what they where so won't speculate.
As regards ,Virgin ,stick with what you like.

[Jez]

INV - CHC rtn $313 for this weekend, fri arvo flight, sunday arvo return. thats with AirNZ

DUN - CHC rtn $197 for the same times, and it sure as hell dont cost me $116 to ride the bike to dunedin airport and back.

So apparently that 90 minute ride is worth $80 after fuel costs, for the pleasure of the ride ... im sold ;)

They are also advertising on grabaseat deals for $61 flights for DUN-CHC-DUN in a couple of weeks....

All i want to do is go to chch for a weekend on the piss with some mates, so luggage is not an issue. You should be thankful you have a choice of who you can fly with. AirNZ aren't the "champions for the people" that many make them out to be.