XL airways

[harribobs]

i got my tickets tonight for manchester/chania tonight

i was disgusted to see that XL has reduced the baggage allowance to 15 kilos and now what to charge you £7.50 per person per  journey for an additional 5 kilos, with the threat of £22.50 charge at the airport if you don't pre-buy the allowance

so effectively they have increased the cost of the flights by £30, seeing as most of us chose our airline by cost i think this is absolutely terrible  

[John R]

i got my tickets tonight for manchester/chania tonight

i was disgusted to see that XL has reduced the baggage allowance to 15 kilos and now what to charge you £7.50 per person per  journey for an additional 5 kilos, with the threat of £22.50 charge at the airport if you don't pre-buy the allowance

so effectively they have increased the cost of the flights by £30, seeing as most of us chose our airline by cost i think this is absolutely terrible  

Was that the case when you first bought them. What I mean is that I purchased my tickets (for September 08)  in August 07. I'm sure that at the time of purchase the luggage allowances were greater. Did they, can they lower that allowance after purchase ??

I've done a lot of flying (locally) with Easyjet recently and find them excellent - well at least consistent - with the way they treat us. Will most likely use them from Manchester next year (early book of course). I've always been a bit uneasy with XL

John R

[harribobs]

the form i got with the tickets says the allowance is changed from 1/5/08

i am not sure how they can get away with it, i'll be doing some enquiries tomorrow

[ian s]

I feared the same as I noticed the reduction in allowance on the web site but I was waiting on my tickets before worrying.

I have used Excel numerous times over the last few years and have found them very efficient - however they are getting  greedy and having to pay for "extras" means costs have risen substantially.  They seem to be promoting their own packages now more than flight only which is a pity.

If you end up needing to complain be prepared for a wait - in my experience at least 6 weeks to get a reply.

Be interested to hear how you get on.

[harribobs]

i have just checked the site and that what it says there, i will also be checking my confirmation as well, but thats at work

as a matter of interest i checked monarch tonight and they are still at 20 kilos

[John R]

the form i got with the tickets says the allowance is changed from 1/5/08

i am not sure how they can get away with it, i'll be doing some enquiries tomorrow

When Easyjet changed their rules for having to pay for each hold bag I had booked some tickets before the date of that change. They did not apply that charge to me retrospectively - which was fair. To apply extra charges retrospectively (except perhaps when fuel surcharges are permitted) is really not on. Might depend on the small print but there must be some sort of contract at the point of sale which would be binding for most of the conditions displayed at the time of purchase - bar emergencies such as hand luggage restrictions applied at the time of a security alert..

Will be very interested to see how you get on - self interest !!

John R

[Peter&Dawn]

i got my tickets tonight for manchester/chania tonight

i was disgusted to see that XL has reduced the baggage allowance to 15 kilos and now what to charge you £7.50 per person per  journey for an additional 5 kilos, with the threat of £22.50 charge at the airport if you don't pre-buy the allowance

so effectively they have increased the cost of the flights by £30, seeing as most of us chose our airline by cost i think this is absolutely terrible  

We booked months ago, via the web, with XL from Gatwick to Chania and it clearly stated then that the allowance was 15kg. They do seem to be the only airline with this restriction - but probably not for long, I'm sure the others will soon catch on.

We always pack more than we ever use, and if we run out of clothes this year we will have to make use of the 'far end'    

Peter&Dawn

[John & Zell]

Yes I'm afraid you are right, our Thompson flight from BMX also states 15kg (what a con)
fisrst, extra for the meal, now extra for luggage, where will it end?
John & Zell

[George]

We always pack more than we ever use, and if we run out of clothes this year we will have to make use of the 'far end'    

Peter&Dawn

Have you told Dawn yet!!  

george g...

[harribobs]

Yes I'm afraid you are right, our Thompson flight from BMX also states 15kg (what a con)
fisrst, extra for the meal, now extra for luggage, where will it end?
John & Zell

i think they have us over the proverbial barrel!  

[Mike G]

Where one leads the rest will probably follow I guess. I agree with Chris that it is a cheek to impose this retrospectively. I suppose they will charge to use the toilet next.  Even the most frugal packer would struggle to meet 15 kg. so it is just an extra charge that you have to pay.

My Monarch tickets show 20kg. I rate Monarch as worse than XL for legroom (I'm 6' 4" tall), check-in delays, and meal. It wasn't long ago that if you were tall and arrived early they gave you a seat with extra legroom for no extra charge.

I agree that easyJet is pretty good. They charge for hold luggage and food/drink but make you aware of this on the website. I don't understand why some people pay for priority boarding though.

Mike

[Chas]

Chris,

It all depends on the date XL took your money (deposit or full payment) .....

If it was before 05 Jan 2008, their contract terms specified 20kg.

On or after that date the contract is 15kg.

Check your receipt and give 'em hell if they are trying to break their contact terms.

[Alex&fran G]

I feared the same as I noticed the reduction in allowance on the web site but I was waiting on my tickets before worrying.

I have used Excel numerous times over the last few years and have found them very efficient - however they are getting  greedy and having to pay for "extras" means costs have risen substantially.  They seem to be promoting their own packages now more than flight only which is a pity.

If you end up needing to complain be prepared for a wait - in my experience at least 6 weeks to get a reply.

Be interested to hear how you get on.

I see what you mean Ian I phoned regarding my flight which I paid for in full (although by accident) about 9 months ago I held on to the phone for 20 min listening to music eventually I sent an email, I will probably get a reply as you say in 6 weeks by which time I will be back home. I'll see you in May Ian if not before. Alex

[harribobs]

i phoned this morning, had to wait maybe 10 minutes, but got through, explained i had booked my flights last year when the policy was 20 kilos and they have given me the extra 5 kilos free of charge ( and are re-issuing the tickets)

i think thats fair enough

[John R]

i phoned this morning, had to wait maybe 10 minutes, but got through, explained i had booked my flights last year when the policy was 20 kilos and they have given me the extra 5 kilos free of charge ( and are re-issuing the tickets)

i think thats fair enough

Fair enough yes - except for the many people on many flights who do not have your perseverance or realisation to make that phone call.

John R