[Oregonkiwi]

I'm in the middle of packing, it would be so much easier if airlines didn't have weight limits - 50 lb doesn't go far when you're packing books and CDs and general worldy possessions. I'd be pleased with how nicely I'd packed a suitcase, drag it onto the bathroom scale - ack! 60 lb!...start again...

We get 6 bags between us, I just finished packing #6 and I've hardly started on the clothes yet. So we definitely need to pay for excess baggage. I phoned Air NZ to confirm that my info was correct (US$80 per extra bag) and she told me that while 1 extra bag might get on our flight, a second one wouldn't and we'd need to pick it up at Auckland airport whenever it did arrive. Just wondering if anyone has taken excess baggage recently? Did it get on your flight and if not, how long did it take to arrive?
Avril

[gil]

good question Avril, sorry I can't answer, but would be very interested if anyone can....
Gil

[jo-and-jeff]

We recently did a trip to Australia and, upon departure, were charged ~$120 for excess baggage weight; we had to take both work and vacation clothing since the trip had a dual purpose. We didn't realize that the allowance from NZ to Oz would be lower than it was on our trip here from the U.S.

On the return, however, we got a very nice check-in agent who winked at us and said, "You've got sporting equipment in that third bag, don't you? Well, you're allowed an additional bag if it's for sporting equipment". He ignored the fact that 2 of the bags were each a kg or so over the limit and didn't charge us a cent.

This extra sports equipment bag thing was absolute news to us; obviously, they don't advertise this allowance. So you might try packing one of your bags with all your sports togs and paraphernalia, and point out to the check-in agent that that is your extra allowance sports bag. (Certainly, it would help if the bag is shaped like a surfboard or snowboard or golf bag.)

Jo

[Oregonkiwi]

On the return, however, we got a very nice check-in agent who winked at us and said, "You've got sporting equipment in that third bag, don't you? Well, you're allowed an additional bag if it's for sporting equipment".


that was nice of him! It looks like the sporting goods allowance only applies to NZ/Australia flights though -
Domestic New Zealand flights & Flights between New Zealand and Australia, the Pacific Islands, Asia or Japan:
An extra 10kg baggage allowance is given for sporting equipment free of charge. Examples include bicycles, golf clubs, skis, snowboards. Excess baggage charges apply once the free allowance has been exceeded.

Flights to/from the USA, Canada or Tahiti & Flights between New Zealand and London via Los Angeles:
Sporting equipment, for example golf clubs, skis, snowboards, bicycles and surfboards are included in the piece allowance. Excess baggage charges apply once the piece allowance has been exceeded.

[diforsyth]

Instead of using excess baggage, use cargo it's loads cheaper although it may take a week or so to get it's destination. Airlines have cargo services and there are plenty of independants.

[Park City Partner]

You might also consider shipping things through the mail. I have sent several packages that I wasn't in a hurry for this way and it was fairly reasonable. It takes 6-8 weeks but I wasn't in a hurry for the stuff.

[Oregonkiwi]

I looked into cargo http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=7186

We have mailed a lot of stuff to NZ, that has worked out well, but we're down to the things we want to have in NZ soon or don't trust to the mail. And to be honest, we're just sick of mailing stuff!

[starkhorn]

Maybe you should contact a company like this one. Might be cheaper and easier than with AirNZ. I've never used them myself but worth a ring to see their prices??

http://www.excess-baggage.com/

[Oregonkiwi]

If anyone else is thinking about using excess baggage with Air NZ, it worked great for us. We checked in 8 bags in San Francisco (2 excess) and paid $160, which is pretty good value for shipping 100 lb overnight. All 8 bags were waiting for us on the conveyer belt at Auckland Airport. So, as usual, I was worrying over nothing. :)

[Jo_b]

According to Air NZ last week excess baggage is about £34 per kilo - eeeeek!

[Milliemoo]

Hi there,

We've just flown Air NZ on Sun/Tue.

We were originally told that to take an extra 'piece' would cost £145 but when we checked in we got a very nice chap who said we should have been charged £60 for the extra piece but he didn't.

I really just think it's down to luck and who you get on the day. It was a BMI check-in, if that makes any difference, and we were also flying business class, which is more likely to sway in your favour.

Milliemoo

[sweetpea]

I think excess baggage charges/etc must depend on who you get at the check-in counter. AirNZ told me $200 a bag over the phone, but I was only charged $75 when I got to the airport (traveling San Francisco to Christchurch earlier this year). When I got to Auckland, they checked my very, very heavy carry-on for free, too.