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Advice for taking my bike to NZ with Qantas
I'm sure this has been spoken about a million times but Qantas keep changing their policies.
Has anyone taken their bike to NZ on Qantas in the last 6 months? If you have, what's the procedure?
I rang Qantas and the guy on the phone advised me that the bike was part of my checked in allowance of 23kg and that I should put all my clothes in with the bike to avoid excess charges of $10 per kilo on extra items. This seems a bit strange to me, so I went on Qantas website and saw that I can have an additional piece of luggage for $22 (up to 23kg). This seems a lot more sensible, but I'm confused as to why the guy on the phone said what he did. I tried to call back but after 30mins on hold I thought I'd post up here for advice.
I've also been into the 'manage your booking' section and ticked the special request box for a bike under the sporting goods.
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When I have traveled domestically on qantas there was no problem checking in a bike bag as a second item however they will make you pay for any extra kilos. Normally they make you check in both item at the different counters so no point in putting extra stuff in the bike bag.
If you nominate and pay the $22 mentioned before check in/when booking you'll avoid getting slugged the excess baggage charge. If you just rock up to check in with luggage in excess of your allowance, you'll pay top rate.
I flew to WA in Oct with my bike. I put all my clothing etc in the bike box to minimise what I had to carry, so I only checked in the bike box (cardboard one). I had to pay an extra $20 at the airport as it was over by a few kilos. I am sure if I had weighed it at home i could have reduced the weight to save the $20. I prefer to pack gear into the bike box to add additional protection.
According to the QF policy (sporting goods), bicycles are included as part of your checked in luggage, well it was when i flew in Oct.
Buy addtional luggage online if you think you bike box is going to weigh >23kg or you if you will be taking 1+ checkin, it will cost more at the airport
I fly a lot with my bike - as does Jenny - and the new method Qantas have is very good.
You get 1 piece (up to 23kg). If you pay in advance online, you can buy a second piece (again up to 23kg) for a very small amount.
Put the bike in a bag/box, with your bikey stuff (shoes, helmet, tools etc) but keep it under 23kg.
Put everything else in the second bag (again keep it under 23kg).
If you can fit it all into one bag, and keep it under 23kg then thats great, but for the additional charge (its something like $20) its worth it as it stops any stressing at the airport.
On international flights you can request additional baggage allowance for sporting goods etc. ie special requests.
For no small charge a bicycle packed up in a box with some gear is no problem.
Ants, thats how I read it on the qantas website, but when I go to buy the extra piece of baggage through the manage your booking page, it only gives me the option of buying extra kilos. Am I missing something? Surly it can't be this hard! Ha ha
I've ticked the box under special requests for a bike BTW.
Thanks for all your help.
Edit:- Here are the two links to prepaid charges and airport charges. Looks to me like I'm better to turn up to the airport with my bike and pay the $22 as there isn't an option to prepay an extra piece of baggage when flying internationally.
http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/prepaid...
http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/prepaid...
Edit 2:- Finally got through to speak to someone at Qantas again to clarify and got told that the $22 for an extra piece to NZ is for "if you are flying to America via NZ and only want to take an extra piece as far as NZ then it is $22". I let them know this was a strange explanation and not at all what is said on the website. She then put me on hold for a further 5 mins to check with her boss and came back to me with the same explanation. She then said that although the bike is allowed to be a separate piece, it's still part of the 23kg limit.
To be on the safe side, I'm going to make sure the total weight of bike and suitcase is 23kg and any extra weight can go as hand luggage.
take care as bike tools, patch kits, various bolts etc (and possible even pedals) may get confiscated, or you may be asked to pack these in your checked luggage, which means they'll be included in the 23kg limit. Been there, allthough different airline.
I've travelled a lot between Aussie and NZ with a bike. I use a ground effect tardis soft bag - and wrap the bike up with all my other gear - I'm always borderline with regards to weight, sometimes over - they will often let you off if it's just a wee bit overweight. I think you just take your chances - it's not like you can lighten up by taking off the handlebars and the left crank.
Simple. Don't fly Qantas. Fly Air New Zealand. A better experience every time.
I bought the flight using Qantas frequent flyer points so didn't have a choice.
I got the bike through OK. I put it in a box on its own and the weight of it was part of my 23kg allowance. My hand luggage was heavier than my suitcase!
On the way back I'm going to take the front rotor off the wheel as the baggage handlers managed to bend it on the way here.