Hi,

We are moving to Brisbane but are struggling a bit with the flights and baggage allowances.

We both want to take 3 suitcases each.

With BA you can take two bags in the hold, Premium economy and the extra bag will cost £32.

The problem is the second part of the flight is Qantas and they want $175au per 5Kg.
They don't do Premium so its an economy seat.

Whats the best way to get to your new city without paying Qantas these stupid costs.

We can go Edinburgh - London - Singapore by paying the £32. But its the Singapore - Brisbane bit that's the problem.

Anyone else had the same problem?
Is there an alternative airline?

Advice appreciated.

Bring less luggage.

Seriously, what are you bringing that you need three suitcases each?

Are you having a stopover in Singapore or going right through?

If going right through to then your bag will be checked in at Edinburgh and they won't be seen again until Brisbane so no additional charges by Qantas.

My bags have always gone right through without seeing them until the final destination from Edinburgh

Qantas do premium economy via Singapore to Melbourne anyway. My Dad always flies with them in premium.

Maybe fly premium to Melbourne / Sydney and they internally to Brisbane?

BB

Agree with all the above posts. Qantas do have premium class and in any case if you are coming straight through it doesn't matter that Qantas have a different excess bag policy.

Assuming you are splitting your trip, are you bringing all your worldly goods in these suitcases, because if so maybe you could think about sending some by air freight? If you are bringing a container then I definitely agree with iam ... bring less suitcases! I am renowned for being unable to travel lightly but even I didn't need three suitcases of stuff to tide me over until the container got here.

Air NewZealand have an affordable extra bag policy.

Pretty much your stuck for options going into Brisbane, especially in premium economy. It's a limited availability class as you know and only a couple of airlines offer it.

Unless you have not validated your visa, in which case you have the option to fly Singapore Airlines and get 40kg each in economy. If you have already made an entry to Australia since getting your visa then that option is out.

Have you considered flying Business instead of premium economy. A return premium economy fare on BA is a the same as a one way business class flight on Emirates who will give you 40kg each. Not to mention a bed rather than a seat and a courtesy limousine each end.

Otherwise consider sending a bag or two seperately using an excess baggage shipping company http://www.excess-baggage.com/ which will price up at 4GBP per kg or something.

Finally you might want to read BCWorlds US Airways Dividend Miles award thread and for probably the same price as Premium Economy, fly Business or First but you must be flexible with dates.

Good luck.

Thanks for the advice.

We are not bringing much really. Instead of paying for a container, moving and then wanting to move back because we don't like it, (unlikely) we are just going to try and take a couple of extra suitcases and see how it goes.

Qantas don't do Premium to Brisbane and if you did an internal flight from Melbourne or Sydney then you would pay hefty charges for the excess bags.

We have booked BA now and so its Qantus from Singapore. Just hope they don't charge us.

We looked at Business class on various airlines and unless you want to go Korean then it was quite a bit more expensive.
At least we will gain a few more Qantas points and revalidate them for another 18 months.

If you are a Qantas FF then do remember to sign up for a Woolworths Everday reward card when you get here. Its free and means you earn $1/1 point in woolworths, Big W, Dick Smith and so on. Together with QF linked credit card of some type (such as the one NAB offers) the points do mount up quite nicely and means you revalidate every trip to the supermarket

Have a look at www.wedelivertheworld.com Very cheap, door-to-door, usually 3-4 days London-Brisbane

Donmt do what i did and brought a suitcase of wollen jumpers! Still sat in the bottom of the wardrobe i think