Luggage allowance

[linda.s]

Help!!!
We are flying with Monarch in a few weeks, and have just checked their website - 20 kilos + 5 kilo hand luggage! How will we manage? Going out won't be too bad, but coming back........ There are 5 of us in our party, and I want to try and get away with 2 large suitcases on the way out (with 2 smaller ones inside) and then the 4 on the way back. So, my main question is, I know European flights are quite flexible, but is the total allowance added up and then split per suitcase? I know they won't take anything over 35 kilos now due to health and safety, but I am hoping that it's not 20 kilos per case. Have I read it right? We didn;t have any problems the last time we went to Florida, but they were more flexible then anyway........
Thanks!

[Magical Dreams]

You may find that it is 20kg per case, it all depends on the person on check in!!

All you can do is hope and pray that they are in a good mood.

BUT whatever you do,don't cause a fuss or they can and may make you split you cases so that they are all 20kg or under!!

It may be advisable to see if you can buy excess allowance beofre you travel!!

Some airlines do it and it can save you a fair bit of dosh!!

My brother was offered it with TCD but not sure who else does it!!

[blott]

Basically, everyone in your party (apart from infants) has a 20 kg baggage allowance. In theory, you can distribute this between suitcases (as long as you don't go over the maximum one suitcase weight limit) but you need to check all this with Monarch. We don't want to have you unpacking suitcases at the check-in desk at the airport!

Most airlines, as well as having a weight limit, also have a number of suitcases limit per person too. With scheduled airlines this is normally two cases but it might not be the case (sorry!) with Monarch.

[Rich-n-Ang]

We always use large Holdalls instead of Suitcases, they are lighter when empty (every bit helps) and because they have shoulder straps we find them easier to carry. We take 2 large ones on the way out with smaller ones folded inside that the kids carry on the way back.

[Daniel Snell]

Have you checked with Monarch to see if you can pay extra to up your luggage allowance? Might be worth doing if you can.

[Magical Dreams]

I have just been looking on the airport website, Monarch do not say anything about it!
Not much info at all to be honest!!

Give them a ring!!

Upgrade to premium to get the following

Premium Cabin upgrades are available through the following tour operators on certain routes:

Airtours / My Travel
Best At Travel
Cosmos
Czech-it-out
Discover Egypt
First Choice
Gambia Experience
Inghams
Jewel in the Crown Holidays
Kuoni
Lastminute.com
Olympic Odyssey
Saldanha Holidays
Sunflight Travel
Take Flight Ltd
Tapestry Holidays
Thomas Cook Holidays
World Vacations Direct (Travelpack)
Voyages Jules Verne
in-flight benefits include:
34 inch seat pitch.
Increased seat recline, with adjustable headrests, pillows and blankets.
A wider seat configuration of 2/4/2 instead of 3/3/3.
Seat back or in-arm personal video entertainment system.
Complimentary use of upgraded headsets.
Give-away amenity packs.
Complimentary welcome drink and free bar service.
Upgraded catering with a choice of entrée and a superior wine.
Fast-track/ Fastlane service at peak times at London Gatwick and Manchester.
airport benefits include:

Dedicated check-in counters at most airports.
Increased baggage allowance of 30kg.
Priority boarding and baggage reclaim.

phone

+44 (0) 1582 400000
or email through their website

www.flymonarch.com

Hope this helps

[GerardH]

We are just back and the check-in was fun! (not)

We were on a charter from Dublin and had the same 20Kg +5Kg allowance.

Thankfully we were fine as far as the main luggage was concerned but our hand luggage(I knew) was way over. They even weigh this and were makning people take out cans of drink to get the weight down. To be honest I kept our heaviest bag at my feet and never let on about it. One of the check-in staff was really a nasty bit of work but thankfully we did not get him. Like its not enough that we help the Orlando / Sanford economy to the tune of millions per year but they have to get their last buck out of you also.

Current figures are $10 per 1Kg over the limit, and there were lot of people getting charged.

[linda.s]

I just rang Monarch, and it's 20 kilo's INCLUDING the 5 kilo hand baggage, so cases can't go over 15 kilos! She did say that they do allow a little leeway, so if you are 2 or 3 kilos over including the hand baggage, then they will be fine, but any more than thet and it's £6 per kilo! Obviously you can double up on case weights, so as long as all our cases don't exceed 100 kilos as there are 5 of us, then we will be fine, however, any case over 32 kilos will be rejected due to the new health and safety laws...... Means having the really large cases isn't a viable option.... Makes me think that we might as well take hand luggage only, and get cases whilst we are out there! At least we'll be out of the airport quickly!
Just going to ring them now about premium upgrade....... see if it's worth it!

Thanks everyone for your help!

[blott]

Good job you checked that then or you would have been unpacking cases at the check-in desk or coughing up lots of money! I hope you paid a lot less for your flights than a scheduled one and being able to take so little luggage is worth it in flight cost savings! That really is a teeny weeny amount of luggage allowance.

[linda.s]

I know, it's miniscule! We went with TCD last time, and were ok with their allowance, which I am sure was similar.......

Yes, it was a lot cheaper than scheduled flights, just over £2,000 for 7 adults and 1 child, so I guess we could afford a bit in excess baggage!