Swiss ski carriage

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

This is really weird. I've just checked their website and it says that winter sports equipment travels free:
"Free transport on SWISS operated flights.
Sports equipment

Definition

Ski equipment

1 pair of ski, 1 pair of poles, 1 pair of boots (even if in separate bag), 1 helmet


Snowboard equipment

1 snowboard, 1 pair of boots (even if in separate bag, 1 helmet"
There were some changes in rules regarding transporting of the sport equipment after June 1, 2012, but not for winter sports.

You should definitely contact the airline and forward them this webpage http://www.swiss.com/web/EN/services/baggage/Pages/sporting_equipment.aspx#ski.

That's really awful Rustyinn, and totally unfair :evil:

They surely can't change the rules like that, at the last minute!

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.

Rusty, I hope you get this sorted out easily. If you need further help, then the UK Consumer Direct Service should point you in the right direction, as you made your Contract in the UK and UK Law applies.

Also Swiss seem to be in breach of the advertising standards for the UK. Remember the ASA motto "legal, decent, honest, truthful"
Anyone can make a complaint to the ASA. I did so many years ago, and it was pursued by the ASA. The organisation who published the advert received a published reprimand.

Tell your Credit Card co that you have paid for a service and not received it, and then go into dispute, based on the contract you made when you booked the flight (as including ski carriage was part of the contract)

Let us know how you get on. Do not let them get away with it!

I'm baffled by this one. I had no problems at all with ski carriage last week. I'd keep pestering for a refund. Hope you get sorted.

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

Pester!

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.