Mango set to ruffle competitor feathers with luggage deal

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The airline expects to exchange R1 million in receipts for up to R200 per person against checked bag charges for the first 20kg of checked in luggage charged for by other airlines (in terms of their baggage rules). The offer is valid on all routes where other low-cost airlines compete against Mango. At the same time Mango has upped its baggage allowance between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth to 30kg checked luggage for the same period.

Travellers will be able to collect Mango vouchers at a value up to R200 per passenger at all Mango Guest Service Counters in airports where the airline competes with other low-cost airlines. "The process is simple," said Mango spokesman Hein Kaiser, "travellers must present their checked bag receipt as well as positive identification to receive vouchers immediately toward their next Mango flight to the same value." The Mango vouchers will be redeemable against any Mango flight outside of promotional offers for six months.

Three types of luggage policies

"There are three types of luggage policies currently in operation amongst low-cost airlines. Mango's checked bag allowance is 20kg and allows for up to two bags combined to reach the weight limit, with hand luggage pegged at 7kg," said Kaiser. "Other airlines either charge up to R200 for a second piece of luggage irrespective of weight, while some charge a couple of hundred rand per checked bag as fares do not include luggage." Mango has elected to add value to all travellers during the holiday season with the offer. "Nobody wants to dig deeper into their pockets at check in to finance the travel of their suitcase under the guise of cheaper flights at the time of booking."

The airline expects most claims to originate on the Johannesburg/Cape Town, Port Elizabeth/Cape Town and Johannesburg/Durban routes. Mango will refund travellers travelling on other low-cost airlines between 8 December and 31 January, 2015, for any luggage charges against the first 20kg of checked in bags in exchange for Mango vouchers up to R200.