Virgin new checked in baggage allowance from 23/9/09

[daveyc150]

Had an email reply from VA this morning:

Who did you e-mail? I'd like to get this in writing to avoid any disputes at DTD check-in.

For the US it only seems to affect PE as it was always 2 * 23kg for Economy, which is a lot more than other airlines. The changes make PE much less attactive. We are travelling for our wedding so we may have quite a lot of luggage.

 

[Lisa x]

Im thankful I booked before this change has been put in place....I am travelling in October (booked in December 08) for my wedding.....booked Upper Class which was 32kg x 3 bags = 96kg...perfect for my wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses etc!!

But not too happy that both Economy and PE will have the same allowance of 23kg x 2 cases and UC has gone from 96kg pp to 69kg pp......some might think 69kg is a lot as it is and yes it is but it was always nice to know that given the fact we pay so much to upgrade to UC, we have massive perks....not so big now though eh...

 

[Elise79]

Who did you e-mail? I'd like to get this in writing to avoid any disputes at DTD check-in.

For the US it only seems to affect PE as it was always 2 * 23kg for Economy, which is a lot more than other airlines. The changes make PE much less attactive. We are travelling for our wedding so we may have quite a lot of luggage.

The email address on the contact us page of VA's website. Had an answer in less than 24hours - very impressed!

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

The problem is not the reduction in luggage allowance (well, YES t6hat is a problem, what is the difference now between PE and economy but a bigger seat pitch?) for pE and Upper Class, but the effect it will have on families.

At the moment with the allowance being 32Kg, you could put 28 in one case, now you will have to have two cases for example.
More cases, more stuff to carry around and to find space in your hire car etc etc..

Not a good move whatsoever by Virgin

 

[Laurafoster]

At the moment with the allowance being 32Kg, you could put 28 in one case, now you will have to have two cases for example.
More cases, more stuff to carry around and to find space in your hire car etc etc..

Thats my only complaint with it! Even when we went out for the wedding we were still within the luggage allowance.

We would usually have a case with 26-28kg in it and now we would have to take an extra case -for the same weight.

The other thing is that i would put 1 case in before weighing say 26kg - i would fill that case up and that was all i would take. Now if i have to spread it over 2 cases i would be more inclined to fill up both cases - which would mean even more weight being taken.

 

[wideeyes]

I am going to have to phone VH about this as I booked PE last week with them and expected a bigger allowance, one of the reasons I booked PE was so I could just take the 1 case. I'm traveling on my own with a child and don't want to struggle with two cases, I like a hand free to keep hold of my DD in a busy airport.

 

[Twilight Terror]

I'm not liking the sound of this. Thankfully, we booked about a month ago, so we're still entitled to the original baggage. However, we are looking to go in May (as well as our usual Sept/Oct holiday), and I'm not sure I'm willing to pay roughly double the Economy price just to have a bigger seat.

The extra allowance was much better for us, and made things easier to carry. There are three of us, but with one in a wheelchair, one needing to push the wheelchair, it leaves us with only one to pull the luggage! So being able to put everything in just two suitcases makes it much easier to move around the airport. Coming back isn't such a problem because we get the Bell Services to take the luggage to the front of the hotel, then straight into a taxi and straight to DTD - there is no back and forth with suitcases. But having to put things between lots of cases, well, that could become an interesting logistics problem!

And again, if I have to go to the hassle of splitting it between lots of cases, then can I really be bothered to pay the extra to upgrade to PE for the sake of a bigger seat??

 

[maznorm]

Well, Virgin have just lost themselves a PE customer. We fly Virgin fairly regularly, are FVC members etc. One of the only reason we fly with Virgin is because of the generous luggage allowance. On the way back we are always at our limit allowance wise. We don't generally go over but are usually right on the edge.

I think from now on we wil be looking at US airlines instead. Virgin's service has been appalling lately and after our big family holiday with Virgin and the treatment we were given, the luggage allowance was literally the only thing keeping us with them.

The only other thing we may do is fly Economy with Virgin (if they pick up their customer service) and pay the £90 for an extra bag.

I certainly won't be paying the extra to fly PE just for a slightly bigger seat. I can only hope Virgin has had the sense to cut their PE prices to cater for this massive loss of a perk.

 

[wideeyes]

Does anyone know if VA will still honour the luggage allowance if booked with VH more than 11 months out?
Was going to phone them however haven't got access to a phone right now.

 

[Twilight Terror]

Waiting on a response from VA now, since our outbound flight is before the new policy, but our return flight is after the policy starts! Again, I want it in writing so there are no arguments at DTD check-in.

I also did some quick maths - PE baggage allowance (to the USA anyway), is being reduce by nearly a third!! That's pretty disgraceful when you look at it like that. I am keeping an eye on May flights for next year, and currently, they are the exact same price as when they first came out - the same as I paid for our flights this year (Sept), where we get the proper allowance.

I have a very bad feeling we will be switching back to Economy, or changing airline altogether

 

[wideeyes]

I will still pay for PE though as I like the 2x seats upstairs, my DD gets airsick and its not pleasant to be sat next to someone while she is being sick, plus its very uncomfortable fly economy with a child sleeping on your knee.

 

[Twilight Terror]

As much as I would like to go back to economy, I highly doubt we will, as bubble PE gives mum plenty of room to do her exercises and little walks without getting in the way of other passengers or the cabin crew. It will just have to be a case of forking out £400 extra each for PE and sucking it up and going with it. Oh well, we'll just have to learn to travel light, won't we? haha

At least I have a reply (within 5hrs!!!) from VA confirming we will be getting 2 x 32kg each this year, on both our flights!

 

[arielrocks]

For the people that are saying they will still fly PE and pay the same costs - this is exactly what Virgin are counting on. This is why they can make these stupid changes and get away with it - because there are always people who are happy to compromise.

Don't flame me - its just my opinion. I love flying PE - but now I am thinking that I will probably just go economy and save the money - I can't justify the cost for a slightly bigger seat/ Pre boarding/smaller cabin etc.

I honestly think that with Virgin reducing the luggage allowence then they should also be reducing the fares - not massivly - but there should be a reduction.

 

[fairytale]

Does anybody have experiences of comparing costs with BA business class, or is it club class, not sure which is the comparative

The only thing that keeps us booking with Virgin year after year is the fact they fly direct from MAN

I can compromise on anything else.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Does anybody have experiences of comparing costs with BA business class, or is it club class, not sure which is the comparative

The only thing that keeps us booking with Virgin year after year is the fact they fly direct from MAN

I can compromise on anything else.

Yes.
When we looked for this November, UC was £10 more than BA Club World at £3,715.28
We went with Virgin for the Gatwick Clubhouse, however since booking, the Clubhouse is closed for refurb. if I had known beforehand I would have gone with BA

Now the same flights for the same dates,
Virgin are £5,208.30 (2 x adults, 1 x child)
BA are £4,796.30

so yes, normally they are close, and
BOOK EARLY!

 

[Twilight Terror]

For the people that are saying they will still fly PE and pay the same costs - this is exactly what Virgin are counting on. This is why they can make these stupid changes and get away with it - because there are always people who are happy to compromise.

I totally agree, and if it was just me, I think I'd be back to economy. But there is mum and medical conditions and space is crucial, so it's buying out of practicality/necessity for us, not because we are choosing to do so. Can't wait to let my sister pull four suitcases by herself next year!

 

[fairytale]

Yes.
When we looked for this November, UC was £10 more than BA Club World at £3,715.28
We went with Virgin for the Gatwick Clubhouse, however since booking, the Clubhouse is closed for refurb. if I had known beforehand I would have gone with BA

Now the same flights for the same dates,
Virgin are £5,208.30 (2 x adults, 1 x child)
BA are £4,796.30

so yes, normally they are close, and
BOOK EARLY!

Thank you Obi

Do you know if you are able to book BA 365 days out like Virgin.

I have a October 2010 flight to book and will be definately weighing up all options this time round.

 

[wideeyes]

For the people that are saying they will still fly PE and pay the same costs - this is exactly what Virgin are counting on. This is why they can make these stupid changes and get away with it - because there are always people who are happy to compromise.

Don't flame me - its just my opinion. I love flying PE - but now I am thinking that I will probably just go economy and save the money - I can't justify the cost for a slightly bigger seat/ Pre boarding/smaller cabin etc.

I honestly think that with Virgin reducing the luggage allowence then they should also be reducing the fares - not massivly - but there should be a reduction.

I do agree however however it is up to the individual how they spend their money and flying economy with my DD at the moment is very stressful for both of us and I want my DD to have more personal space for if she is sick and for her to go to sleep. Even flying to Paris my DD was sick throughout the flight and she was very embarrassed and upset as we were sat next to some one. Flying on holiday shouldn't be a stressfull experience for her and something for her to worry about.

Not that I need to justify how I spend my money however that is the reason why I would still pay to go PE.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Thank you Obi

Do you know if you are able to book BA 365 days out like Virgin.

I have a October 2010 flight to book and will be definately weighing up all options this time round.

Yes, all scheduled airlines work around the 360 days from your return date.
Its worth having a look at some of the indirect airlimes as well (US Airways, United, Northwest/KLM etc, American & ontinental usually come out expensive) when checking for our dates, before Virgin sale, uS airwys were coming out the cheapest

 

[fairytale]

Yes, all scheduled airlines work around the 360 days from your return date.
Its worth having a look at some of the indirect airlimes as well (US Airways, United, Northwest/KLM etc, American & ontinental usually come out expensive) when checking for our dates, before Virgin sale, uS airwys were coming out the cheapest

Thanks Obi, but we have four children under 8, and I'd pay double to do direct than have to change flights