‘It’s extortion’: Exeter 23-year-old charged over £1k to bring one extra suitcase on flight

A 23-year-old from Exeter was charged over £1,100 to bring one extra suitcase on his Qatar Airways flight.

Andy Donovan had planned a six-month cricket trip to Kingsbury, Melbourne over summer.

The cricketer’s flight cost only £312.28, but he was charged over a grand to purchase an extra bag at the airport.

Andy claimed Qatar Airways website kept crashing, and so he paid for the 25kg bag once he arrived – setting him back a staggering total of £1,103.72.

The marketing executive acknowledged he knew the cost of the luggage might be more, but didn’t think it would cost that much: “It was several times the cost of my actual ticket, it didn’t make any sense”.

via SWNS

Having originally booked with Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong, Andy had switched to a Qatar Airways flight last-minute after spotting the “super typhoon Ragasa” (a tropical cyclone) headed for Hong Kong.

The marketing executive’s allowance was originally two bags with Cathay Pacific, but it was reduced to one. He explained how he needed two bags to carry his personal belongings and cricket kit.

via SWNS

Andy continued, explaining he was “in shock” and “had no choice but to pay it” because he needed his kit.

“It’s personalised to me for my specifications so I couldn’t just replace it,” he said.

Andy said it wasn’t explained to him how the charge was calculated, but he paid it so he could still fly.

“They charge you per kilo you’re over the limit, and I had a whole extra 25kg bag,” he said. “I wasn’t offered the option to buy a whole extra bag at the airport.”

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The Qatar Airways’ website states that within six hours of departure, per additional kg of luggage, there is a $60 (approx. £44.60) charge.

Andy plays for the Philippines national cricket team, just like his younger sister, 21-year-old Katherine Donovan, who reportedly took the same flight a week earlier with two bags and experienced no issues.

Andy’s dad, Barry Donovan, a retired pilot, spotted the typhoon and advised Andy to switch his flight. Andy was able to do this thanks to the privileges granted by his dad’s former employment at Cathay Pacific.

Barry explained how he got the tickets sorted for Andy, “but nowhere on the tickets was the luggage restriction mentioned”.

via SWNS

He explains that when his son rang him from the airport, he told him to “just pay whatever they charged,” and they would sort out the money later.

“But when he told me what that was, I couldn’t believe what they charged him,” he said. “£1,100 is totally unacceptable. It’s extortion.”

“How many other people have they done this too? It’s just not right,” Barry added.

Both father and son have attempted to contact Qatar Airways, but have reportedly not received a response.

A Qatar spokesperson said: “The passenger in this instance was travelling on a ‘standby’ staff ticket issued by another airline.

“Such tickets clearly show weight allowances but are not eligible for ancillary services such as excess baggage until the ticket is confirmed.

“Tickets such as the one used by this passenger are standard practice across the aviation industry.

“Once the passenger was accepted onto their flight, they were charged for their excess baggage in line with standard procedures”.

Featured image via SWNS