Economy travellers win in changes to Qantas conditions Qantas baggage handlers load cargo into a waiting jet. The airline has rejigged its baggage allowances to fit in better with alliance partner Emirates. Picture: Aaron Francis Source: The Australian A QANTAS rejig of its checked baggage allowances as part of its alliance with Emirates will see basic economy passengers gain seven kilos but reductions for its most frequent flyers. The changes come into effect for tickets issued after February 26 and see checked baggage allowances fall by up to 68 kg across a range of categories as the airline changes back from a piece and weight-based system to one based purely on weight for international flights other than those to the Americas. The move is designed to align it with new alliance partner Emirates and is among a plethora of frequent flyer program changes due to be introduced by the airlines for travel from March 31, subject to final approval by the competition regulator. The benefits include new limousine services for business and first class customers on long haul flights, reciprocal lounge access, recognition of tier benefits and earn and burn privileges. Under the new baggage allowances, economy class passengers who are bronze frequent flyers or who do not belong to the Qantas loyalty program will see checked baggage limits rise from one piece at 23 kg to 30 kg. Qantas Club and Silver frequent flyer members flying in economy lose the least with going from a total of two pieces at 23 kg to a global limit of 42 kg. The biggest loss is suffered by Platinum and Platinum One members who have the misfortune to find themselves at the back of the bus. They can currently check in three bags of up to 32kg each, or 96kg, but face a limit of 50kg under the new system. All tiers of flyers face reduced weight limits in premium economy, business and first class Business class passengers face reductions ranging from 40 kg (gold members) to 68kg (platinum/platinum one) but still get hefty allowances of between 40kg and 60kg. At the top end, first class allowances come down between 30kg and 58kg to new allowances of 50kg to 70kg. Benefits of the scheme include the introduction of by Dubai Connect, which provides customers with long stop overs with complimentary hotel accommodation, transfers, meals and visa costs. This will apply to first and business class customers with a connection time of greater than six hours but less than 24 hours and premium economy and economy customers with connections of eight to 24 hours. The luxury limo service will apply to transfers at both ends for first and business class customers on services between Australia-Dubai and London from march 31 and for flights longer than 12 hours on other parts of the Qantas network. Qantas Platinum One, platinum and gold frequent flyers will have access to Emirates lounges across Australia, Europe, Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. The level of lounge will depend on their status. Qantas Club members will have access the Emirates business lounge on Dubai and the American Airlines Admiral Club in London when on a Qantas or Emirates flight between Australia and London. But there will be no reciprocal lounge access in the Americas, New Zealand or South Africa. Both Qantas Frequent Flyer and Emirates Skywards members will earn points on the joint network but Skywards members will only earn points on domestic flights that are part of international journey with one of the two airlines. Qantas frequent flyers will be able use their points to redeem a classic award flight on Emirates from March 2013, subject to availability and conditions. Qantas Loyalty chief executive Lesley Grant said the benefits would give frequent flyers of either airline the opportunity to earn and redeem points across "a massive network." "Our shared goal has been to offer Qantas and Emirates customers the best global network, flying the largest combined A380 fleet and supported by the best rewards for our frequent flyers," Ms Grant said.