British Airways increases short-haul heavy baggage charges
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British Airways announced on Monday that it has, with immediate effect, increased the charges for ‘heavy baggage’ on short-haul flights. There is also an increase in baggage charges for anyone on a ‘hand baggage only’ fare.
If your suitcase weighs more than 23kg, and you do not have oneworld status, you will be required to pay an extra £65 each-way at the airport for short-haul flights. This is a £25 increase on the current £40 fee.
This rule does NOT apply to departures from London Gatwick where the fee will remain at £40.
The maximum case weight remains 32kg. Bags heavier than this will not be accepted and must be sent as cargo.
For passengers booked on ‘hand baggage only’ fares, there is also a change in the fee if you realise at the last minute that you do need to take a suitcase after all (or if BA decides that your hand baggage is too large to take onto the aircraft). The current fee is £20 each way. This now increases to a sliding scale of £20 – £40 each way based on the destination.
If your ticket was booked before 30th September, you do not need to pay the new, higher rates. There is bound to be some confusion at check-in desks so you may need to remind them to look at the booking date in the system.
Full details of the old and new rates can be found on this page at ba.com.
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As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards. Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!
In February 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.
You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:
Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard
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Barclaycard Avios Mastercard
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There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:
British Airways American Express Premium Plus
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British Airways American Express
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You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points. These points convert at 1:1 into Avios.
American Express Preferred Rewards Gold
Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review
The Platinum Card from American Express
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Run your own business?
We recommend Capital on Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, along with a sign-up bonus worth 10,500 Avios.
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You should also consider the British Airways Accelerating Business credit card. This is open to sole traders as well as limited companies and has a 30,000 Avios sign-up bonus.
British Airways Accelerating Business American Express
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There are also generous bonuses on the two American Express Business cards, with the points converting at 1:1 into Avios. These cards are open to sole traders as well as limited companies.
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American Express Business Gold
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Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.
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