Virgin Baggage Allowance

[seobaina]

Kinda shocked I'm so used to travelling to the US that I didn't even look at my baggage allowance. I've just found out that it's 1x23k (we booked with Virgin in Jan). Are they kidding? Don't they know we're going to WDW? I normally have two bags both ways. On the way out they prob are around 8/9kg and 15kg and on the way home they are between 15-20 each. I understand cutting down but by half? Anyone but me think that's crazy? So PLEASE someone, can you tell me the cheapest way I can increase my allowance? Even if just one way?

 

[wayneg]

Cheapest way looks to be prebook before airport £32 per bag each way http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/passengerinformation/baggage/extra.jsp

Thankfully we never take more about 18-20kg each. Last August we had a 96kg allowance pp (3x32kg) and still took under 60kg for all 3 of us for 25 nights.

 

[LoodlesNoodles]

I believe you still get 2x23kg if you upgrade to PE. Don't know how much that would cost though.

 

[seobaina]

I'm guessing the upgrade would be more. We're 3 friends travelling, not a family so tend to carry our own weight but we might have to combine. Thanks for the info.

 

[seobaina]

Does anyone know if you can purchase extra baggage in advance for JUST the return?

 

[2Tiggies]

It is much cheaper to pre book. There must be a way to do it online per trip (I would assume that if you follow the links it will give you an option at some point) as they give the price in USD and GBP. I am sure they would need to know on what flights they have to accomodate additional bags.

I would email them. I have emailed VA plenty times and have to say they have, without fail, been prompt and very concise in their responses. I do suggest that you paste/type their email address into the address bar of your email as their Contact Us link seems to be somewhat temperamental. Definitely pre pay it online though. I am giving you a link and as you will see, it is signifcantly cheaper.

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/passengerinformation/baggage/extra.jsp

 

[seobaina]

Thank you

 

[janiebubble]

anyone any idea what 'booked' means ....

the website says "*Any passengers booked before 25 November 2009, will be entitled to Virgin Atlantic's old baggage allowance, but also entitled to claim the newer and most generous allowance on offer. "

we booked our trip with Jetsave last May ... so do we get the extra bags?!?

 

[2Tiggies]

anyone any idea what 'booked' means ....

the website says "*Any passengers booked before 25 November 2009, will be entitled to Virgin Atlantic's old baggage allowance, but also entitled to claim the newer and most generous allowance on offer. "

we booked our trip with Jetsave last May ... so do we get the extra bags?!?

That is my understanding. I booked my trip at the very end of May last year and emailed VA directly as I like to have written confirmation wherever there may be any doubt. This was the reply I got from VA Customer Services:

Thank you for your email.

The baggage allowance will depend upon the date on which the bookings is made. As you have made the booking before before 25th November 2009. If you upgrade to premium economy, the old baggage will be applicable.

Thank you for contacting Virgin Atlantic.

Just to avoid any confusion re. the context of the email, I had already checked on the VA website "manage your flights" section which states that I get 2 x 23 kg per passenger. I was asking whether, if I upgraded to PE after 25 November, I would get the old or new allowance. So from what they have said, if you booked before 25 November 2009, you get the old allowance of 2 bags and it carries forward to apply even if you upgrade.

 

[arielrocks]

if you do online check in you can pay for the extra luggage then - you can't do it before the flight opens though.

You can wait and do it at the airport as well.

 

[seobaina]

Thanks. Online check-in is 24hrs before right?

 

[Experiment 777]

Does anyone know if you can purchase extra baggage in advance for JUST the return?

Did you discover if this was possible or not? Its something we would probably want to do as well.

I was also shocked by the allowance, which has steadily dropped in the last 5 or so years. We used to get 2x 32Kg even in economy, now just 1x 23Kg, which is a huge difference.

One of the main reasons I have used Virgin Atlantic was for the baggage allowance. Now, they are the same as the cheaper airlines. Their advantages are gradually being eroded.

I understand the economics but .......

Mark

 

[2Tiggies]

I understand the economics but .......

Never mind, they will understand economics too when passengers decide they have had enough! Still a whole lot better than the charter flights though and all the other major airlines have followed suit on the luggage. BA did the same so it isn't just VA.

 

[Natasha&Matt]

Luckily i booked my holiday package in January last year and they have confirmed that i get the 2 x 23kg each

 

[2Tiggies]

Luckily i booked my holiday package in January last year and they have confirmed that i get the 2 x 23kg each

Me too. Going to make the most of it too. I am one of those people you can't miss at the carousel I take very little with me. Much of the weight on the outbound comes from the fact that there is another suitcase inside each of the two that we take with us - all nice and ready to be loaded for the return.

To respond to one of the OPs questions though, upgrading to PE will always be a more expensive option, but it depends how you look at it. You are paying for the comfort and benefits of travelling in a better class. The additional luggage allowance is just a bonus. However if you are ONLY interested in extra luggage, then pre paying the luggage only is a better option. PE upgrade prices vary greatly depending on the season, day of the week and all kinds of other factors and I doubt you would get it for less than £250 per person 1 way at best.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Funnily enough I just booked va flights, this was this baggage allowance last time I booked with them, last time with AA I was so pleased with allowance but was SO determined to use it I just took stuf for the sake of it.
23kg is better then some of the others.

 

[arielrocks]

Thanks. Online check-in is 24hrs before right?

Yes that's right

 

[seobaina]

Did you discover if this was possible or not? Its something we would probably want to do as well.

I've emailed but not had a reply yet. When I get one I'll let you know but it was weeks before I heard back from them last time.

To respond to one of the OPs questions though, upgrading to PE will always be a more expensive option, but it depends how you look at it. You are paying for the comfort and benefits of travelling in a better class. The additional luggage allowance is just a bonus. However if you are ONLY interested in extra luggage, then pre paying the luggage only is a better option. PE upgrade prices vary greatly depending on the season, day of the week and all kinds of other factors and I doubt you would get it for less than £250 per person 1 way at best.

It's more a case of 'can't afford the £250' rather than not willing to pay it. This is a 'last min, cheap as poss trip'. We've done well so far with £420 flights, £176 accomodation in POP and free dis tickets, so £250 would be a LOT of our budget We're looking at the extra bag idea though. Just waiting to hear from Virgin in answer to some questions.

Yes that's right

Thanks

 

[2Tiggies]

It's more a case of 'can't afford the £250' rather than not willing to pay it. This is a 'last min, cheap as poss trip'. We've done well so far with £420 flights, £176 accomodation in POP and free dis tickets, so £250 would be a LOT of our budget We're looking at the extra bag idea though. Just waiting to hear from Virgin in answer to some questions.

Wow!!! You certainly got a great deal! Will you have internet access while you are there? If so, you could wait and see how your luggage is looking a few days before you leave and then arrange to pre-pay on the internet when you check in (if this is an option). Let us know what you hear from Virgin. Those of us heavy-duty shoppers are always on the lookout for info.

 

[Claire-Bear]

Don't forget to complete your ESTA forms too almost forgot about ours!