I promised myself on Wednesday afternoon I would never fly with Qantas Airlines ever again!
This is after the airline slugged me $245 in checking-in my golf clubs for a flight from Sydney to Singapore to cover this week’s Barclays Singapore Open.
I had brought the clubs out from Scotland and travelled from Edinburgh on a British Airways/Qantas codeshare flight.
However at check-in at Edinburgh Airport the BA representative indicated I would have to play £30 for the clubs to be transported to Sydney.
No problem and I was happy to pay the fee.
Qantas Airlines completely 'out-of-bounds' in treatment of golfers.
However imagine my disgust when on the return codeshare flight the Qantas check-in attendant indicated that golf clubs, in contrast to BA, are treated no differently and that with my suitcase weighing 17 kilograms and golf clubs 13 kilograms, I was 10 kilograms over weight.
This is despite the fact I was entitled to 23 kilograms check in luggage with BA.
“You’re 10 kilograms overweight sir, so at $24.50 a kilogram that’s $245,” he said.
Well, never again will I be tempted into flying with Australia’s national carrier.
My experience on Wednesday continues to highlight the ‘out-of-bounds’ manner airlines treat those passengers looking to travel with golf clubs.
www.golfbytourmiss.com was emailed details of a survey carried out in the UK that highlighted rising airline fees for golf equipment transportation is now a significant factor for UK golfers travelling abroad.
Research for International Golf Travel Market reveals 52% of UK golfers, Europe’s largest source of golf travellers, say the increased cost of flying with their clubs now has a ‘big impact’ on their decision to go abroad or take a golf break at home
The research, commissioned by Reed Travel Exhibitions, organisers of International Golf Travel Market in Belek, Antalya, Turkey, November 14-17, 2011, found that 80% said the additional luggage fees impacted on their golf break planning, with 52% saying it had a ‘big impact’ on whether they flew abroad or booked a break in the UK.
More than 2,400 golfers, and all readers of the UKs Golf Monthly magazine, were surveyed for the report, compiled by Sports Marketing Surveys Inc.
The report details the key influences on UK golfers and their choice of golf holiday destinations.
Peter Grimster from Reed Travel Exhibitions.
Commenting on the findings, IGTM Exhibition Manager, Peter Grimster, said: “This is a startling finding and is indicative of price-sensitivity in the golf travel market.
“While a destination’s variety of golf courses, the price of the break and whether golf is part of the package remain the key influencing factors, clearly UK golfers are weighing up the additional cost of transporting their clubs in deciding whether or not to fly abroad for their golf break.”
According to SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC., there are 3.9 million golfers in the UK (of whom 1.6 million are regular golfers who play at least 12 times a year), the largest golf market in Europe.
A quarter of these regular golfers take an annual break where the primary reason is to play golf – whether domestic or overseas – so factors such as additional airline fees for equipment will have a significant impact on international golf tourism.
Peter Grimster continued: “Overall, the research provides interesting insights into how UK golfers go about selecting their golf breaks, where they look for recommendations and advice, as well as the important factors that determine their holiday choices. We have also looked at the increasing role of social media as a channel of communication and influence.”
My own advice is to ignore any golf destination that is serviced by Qantas Airways!
