Advance Warning - All Carriers - Christmas Baggage Restrictions
Traditionally, as we head towards Christmas, flights to the popular destinations for visiting relatives at Christmas - Caribbean, South America, Lagos etc become increasingly full - cargo as well as passengers.
Because of the enormous weight allowance given to passengers (2 pieces of up to 32kg each), there is very little scope for extra baggage to be carried by passengers. Most carriers impose excess baggage embargoes on full flights and WILL NOT allow excess to be carried - REGARDLESS OF YOUR WILLINGNESS TO PAY!
If you know in advance that your baggage is going to be over the maximum permitted allowances, phone your airline about a week before your travel date to check if there are any weight restrictions in operation. If you're told everything's okay, make sure you get the NAME of the person you speak to and ask them to make a note in your booking reference! - (Indeed, that is sound advice for ANY situation deviating from airline normality!)
(If a restriction is slapped on your flight the day after your call, evidence that you had prior clearance will be needed!)
Believe me, from a check-in agent's viewpoint - it's horrible to turn away passengers' baggage at what should be the happiest time of year!