WHEN IS PRIORITY BAGGAGE NOT PRIORITY BAGGAGE? LUGANO PIRATE

POST

Many frequent flyer programmes tout priority baggage delivery as one of the reasons for attaining status with them, but I question if this is a benefit that can truly be delivered? The reason I ask is despite being Gold with Swiss, my bags are only sometimes among the first to be delivered, and on a couple of occasions among the last. I recently f lew from New York to Milan with Emirates in first class with Gold status, one colleague was in business with Silver status and the final one economy with no status. We all checked in at the same time and at the respective desk for our class. On arrival among the first cases delivered was my colleague from economy, about 20 bags later my other colleague’s bag followed, and after another 20 or so my bag arrived. Of course it made no real difference, but I question if airlines and their FF programmes can really deliver on this benefit?

➜ CATHAYLOYALIST2

I have had the same experience. It is down to whether priority bags are loaded into a container for that purpose and loaded last, thus offloaded first, or not. I would say my bags have been in the first 20 bags 20 per cent of the time, middle order 60 per cent of the time and last 20 per cent of the time. Oversized bags seem to be delivered quickly.

➜ ESSELLE

I think the issue will always exist when airlines contract to local ground handlers away from their home base. Unless the contract has big penalties attached for non-compliance, the ground handler will default to whatever is easiest.

➜ GIVINGUPBA

I agree that airlines cannot really deliver on this benefit because delivering earlier is often outside their control. However, promising the benefit is not outside their control – I wish they wouldn’t do that.

➜ ANTIPODES

I agree with most of what has been said but would like to point out that in Indonesia, Garuda separates the premium class luggage and has it delivered on a designated carousel.

➜ VIAJEROUK

Agree with antipodes about Garuda: even better, premium passengers don’t need to wait at the carousel at CGK or DPS – Garuda staff will collect bags from the carousel and deliver to you while you sit in a small arrivals lounge. That’s what a “Priority Baggage Service” should be; bags have always arrived pretty quick for me so I guess the luggage tags do make a difference there.