J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by rustyinn

Tony_H wrote:Lufthansa had a policy of transporting skis free on condition you pre warned them. Otherwise they charged.

SWISS conifrmed during our conversation that there was no requirement for pre-warning, and so long as the standard baggage was within the 23kg weight and I was only taking one set of ski equipment in the additional bag then there was no charge.

At least I can sleep easy now knowing that I don't have to tell several friends at the last minute that they now have to pay for their skis on our Festive & January trips when I'd told them they were free.

I will certainly be carrying print outs of the SWISS T&C's when i travel in future though just in case.

I'll also be writing to SWISS customer service as this morning was sub R**nair standard and in no way what I have come to expect of SWISS over the years, I really was made to feel like some complete chancer.

In fairness to SWISS I have had a very swift response from them to confirm that their policy remains that one pair of skis flies free on on SWISS UK in/outbound flights in addition to the normal 23kg allowance and that in no way in the circumsatnces should I have been charged since my main bag was well withinin limits - only just 17kg and I only had one pair of skis and poles (not even boots in the ski bag).

They were very surprised that I had referred this up the chain to senior duty agent level and it had still been refused.

I have been advised that I will have no problem being refunded the fee charged but unfortunately have to go through the whole overcharged fees process, so it will be interesting to see how long that takes to put the money back in my account.

OldAndy wrote:Could it have been the handlers at the airport not being clear about Swiss T&C's?

Pester!

If it is the really need to re-train thier agents, as I complained there to the senior manager on duty and got nowhere.

Dave

verbier_ski_bum wrote:I don't think rules have changed. Well, some rules have but they concern other sports, not winter sports. Could be misunderstanding, new staff member etc. Ski equipment is mention as "normal sports baggage" in ew rules for which 60CHF charge applies, but there is a footnote saying that **On flights operated by SWISS, the 1st pair of ski/winter sport equipment is always free of charge. (And that includes ski boots regardless if they are packed in the same bag or separately). I hope you kept the receipt. I know people who flew skiing this season with Swiss and they were not charged for their skis.

That's alwasy been my reading of it and I almost alwasy fly Swiss when going to Geneva and never had a problem before. I have 2 groups going out over the next 2 months all flying into Geneva with Swiss so I need to get it nailed down.

http://www.swiss.com/countries/GB/local_content/Pages/swiss_skiers_airline.aspx

This page seems fairly clear to me.

Have put in a query to them - we'll see what happens.

Ian Wickham wrote:You can find most of these in various resorts ... Dog Sledding, Snow Mobiles, Snow Shoeing, Local cheese makers or you could also search Things to do in Alpe d'huez :thumbup:

I'll be doing the google bit to never fear, but personal recommendations for a activities to do (or avoid) in a resort are always a bonus.

Dave

Just been hit with a 60swiss francs surcharge for my skis at Geneva, no amount of arguing, showing the 'Skis fly free' adverts from my latest ski magazines or even showing the Swiss airlines 'the skiers airline' webpage on my ipad where it clearly says that they are happy to transport your first set of ski kit in addition to your standard 23 kg allowance would make them change their minds, I just kept gettin told company policy has changed.

I wasn't charged on the way out and my standard luggage was barely 17kg. Only one set of ska and poles was packed in the bag charged for.

I will be taking it up with Swiss when I get back later today and report back.

Dave