A few questions from a newbie

Hi guys, flying SYD-HKG on VS for the second time, wanting to get more out of the VS experience and wondering if someone could help me with the following -

- Are power sockets for laptops only avaliable in UC and PE but not on Economy?

- How strict are VS check-in staff in Hong Kong with baggage allowances? I know that I only get 23kg, but will they let me check in with say, 25kg? Does VS weigh carry on luggage, and do they do this at the point of check in or when boarding?

- What are the chances of an upgraded seat if I have a reward ticket? Does having the basic Flying Club membership (Red, I think?) help?

- I'm going to be in seats 39A and 20A - are these particularly bad seats that I should be avoiding?


OK, enough questions for now... Would appreciate answers to any of them!

Thanks heaps!!

Wooh! So many questions.

Will leave the VS check in questions to someone who knows hong kong better than me. I have not had my carry on weighed before, but never say never and I have not take the mickey in what I carry through.

Sockets are in PE and UC only. So, yes correct.

Upgrades are a much debated item. VS are very strict in their policy in that they only upgrade if there is a compelling operational reason - ie overbooking. Then there is a clear pecking order with all the gold members pretty near the top. I am afraid red Flying club membership will not get you very far up the pecking order as it is available to anyone at all. Being on a reward may well count against an upgrade too. Strongly advise you not to hold your breath. See here for more details

We run a seat rating tool here. Try looking up your aircraft, which will most likely be a 346,

http://www.v-flyer.com/seats.asp?search=yes&pid=12

Interestingly of the seats you mention, one is an economy seat, the other a premium economy seat. There is an outside chance they have a 747 scheduled on that day, but 20A would then be a J seat.....

The economy seat doesn't have any particular comments, so there is probably not a lot to be said for it or against it - its just an average joe seat.

Cheers for that Bean Counter! Must have taken a while to answer all that.... but thanks I'm not so confused anymore!

I'm flying Economy from SYD to HKG and PE on the way back so that would explain the seats.

Can someone help with the Hong Kong VS check-in questions? I'm anticipating I'll be at least 5kg over, and I really don't want to have to spend extra $$$ on excess baggage... Will having a PE ticket help me in getting some leniency from the HK check-in staff? Or will the fact that its a reward ticket count against me?

[HighFlyer]

Welcome to V-Flyer, Bazza!

5kgs over isnt that much, and in all probability you'd be fine, although there are of course no guarantees and even those of us who have been heavy with luggage countless times and been okay have encountered the one strict check-in person who insists you do something about your baggage on one flight out of a hundred. Try to only take what you really need, and be prepared to shift some weight around if necessary.

A PE fare probably wont make too much difference as the baggage allowance is the same on Asian routes for Economy and Premium (23kgs). The less over you are, the more they are likely to overlook it.

Have a great trip [:)]

Thanks,
Sarah

I have had my hand baggage weighed at LHR when heading to LAX in PE before.

The check in agent asked me to put it on the scales as she said I seemed to be struggling to carry my laptop bag. Little did she know how feeble I am LOL

Anyway the bag was under, so I was good to go.

Originally posted by bazza236
Cheers for that Bean Counter! Must have taken a while to answer all that.... but thanks I'm not so confused anymore!

No problem, gave me something to do while I couldn't sleep.

5kg's is pretty easy to shift around. Wear your heaviest clothes and shoes, fill you coat pockets with all the assorted power supplies we all seem to travel with these days, put any books/magazines in a carrier bag.
I've found that 5kg over is rarely questioned, and if you are pulled up on it, making an effort to loose a couple of kilo's as above seems to keep all but the strictest ones happy.
And if your hand luggage is a problem just promise not to buy the maximum possible in the duty free shops [}:)]

I always feel normally you will get away with 2-3kg of excess luggage at any given airport. Afterall how accurate are their scales at the airport. 5kg excess in essence is not alot although it will tip the scale at 28kg. It is really at the discretion of the check-in agent. Last year coming back from HKG, there were 3 of us 1xUC and 2xEcon, our overall luggage was 10kg over but the agent didn't blink an eye lid.

The 39A seat is just your normal seat nothing special. It is well away from the toilet traffic but quite away from the galley for snacks.