GOL, the Brazilian airline, groups sports gear, musical instruments and similar items under the name "differentiated baggage". The older version of this article listed which items went in the cabin and which had to be checked. GOL's page now sets out a single fee system, which this update follows.
What counts as differentiated baggage
Any item that does not fit as a regular suitcase and is too big for hand luggage. GOL lists:
- Aquatic and similar equipment, snow sports, air sports and other sports gear
- Musical instruments
- TVs and monitors
- Fragile objects and home appliances
- Engines with an internal combustion or electric motor
- Dry ice, food and ice
Size and weight
- The length, width and height may add up to 292 cm at most.
- Each item may weigh up to 23 kg. Above that a fixed excess charge applies, depending on the destination.
- The most GOL will ship as baggage is 45 kg inside Brazil and 32 kg on international trips. Heavier items can go through GOL's cargo service, GolLog.
Fees (per item, by destination)
| Region | More than 48 hours before departure | Less than 48 hours before | At the airport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Within Brazil | R$ 210 to 330 (USD 60 to 105) | R$ 290 to 330 (USD 90 to 105) | R$ 325 (USD 80) |
| South America | R$ 630 to 860 (USD 110 to 190) | R$ 720 to 854 (USD 160 to 189) | R$ 860 (USD 190) |
| Central America, Caribbean, Mexico | R$ 650 to 1,150 (USD 150 to 190) | R$ 850 to 1,150 (USD 160 to 190) | R$ 1,150 (USD 190) |
| United States | R$ 860 to 1,200 (USD 225 to 275) | R$ 1,000 to 1,200 (USD 245 to 275) | R$ 1,200 (USD 275) |
| Europe | R$ 900 to 1,200 (USD 180 to 250) | R$ 990 to 1,149 (USD 220 to 249) | R$ 1,200 (USD 250) |
Dollar prices apply at points of sale outside Brazil, converted to the purchase currency, and local taxes are added.
Rules
- Hold space is limited, so purchase early. A few flights cannot take such items.
- Each traveller may buy three items at most, and no more than five checked pieces are allowed in total, ordinary and differentiated combined.
- You buy it at airports, at GOL stores or through the customer relationship center. It is not sold on GOL's digital channels and cannot be paid for with miles.
- Smiles members and other loyalty members do not get it free, and a fare that includes a suitcase does not include it.
- The purchase belongs to one traveller and cannot be handed to someone else.
- Refunds are possible before the flight, through the service center, for Flex, Premium Economy and Insignia Business Flex fares only. Basic, Light, Classic and Insignia Business Classic fares are not refunded, and no fare is refunded after a no-show.
- GOL does not cover damage to these items in transit, so pack them in rigid protective cases.
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