BA Fuel Surcharge USDOT Complaint
 

It appears somebody has taken the time to draft and submit a complaint regarding BA's 'fuel surcharges' (read: co-pays) to the US Department of Transportation.

Our very own hillrider has documented this well in his post on the BA forum: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...ot-filing.html

I know many of us here feel burned by BA redemptions, especially since we didn't have to pay these surcharges prior to the ATI/JBA with BA. At the very least, it is an incredibly questionable business practice by BA on many fronts. If you agree (and I know many here do) and want this complaint to gain traction, take a few minutes to submit a comment in support of this complaint: http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitC...2013-0025-0001

Worst case scenario, nothing happens. Best case, BA is forced to reform some of its YQ related practices.

Mods: I posted this here because I think it is highly relevant to AA flyers. If you feel that the BA forum thread is sufficient, feel free to delete this.

About time! This deserves our support
 

I'll send supporting comments!

These so called fuel surcharges are nothing more than a scam.

I added a comment sharing my experience and supporting the complaint. So irritating that this "YQ tax" is hidden and, IMO, punitive.

Completely agree.

YQ on award tickets is pure banditry.

Fuel is part of the basic product and charging for it seperately in any context is absolute nonsense.

I am adding my support to the complaint.

Weren't there also cases where the YQ could be different on the outbound versus return, or the YQ on an award is different than YQ on a cash fare?

It would be like McD adding a grease fee for people who buys fries.

Fuel is a necessary part of flying. The price should be included in the ticket price. And, if BA doesn't believe it is a part of the price, they should refund it when people don't fly.

I added a comment. Hopefully this gains some traction.

Well, a plane could use more fuel in one direction due to wind speed, flight path, rotation of the planet, etc

BA charges more for the return from the UK to the US because the government has imposed 'exit' charges which are supposed to do something, but I have forgotten what. I just know that no matter who you book with, the fees are higher to return than to go over. Having said that, I will not book BA for a return because the fees are ridiculous.

There's a companion complaint in regards to fuel (or just plain) surcharges as it regards to tickets sold by AA: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ot-filing.html

That's worthy of support as well.

added mine as well.

I had two BA flights for an award. The taxes with YQ surcharge came around $900 and they are in COACH.

I too support the complaint. It is apparent that BA has no clear (published) policies regarding fuel surcharge and basically uses award tickets to bump their revenue. Fuel costs are part of ticket price!

BA isn't supposed to be charging fuel surcharges on revenue/award tickets for flights ex-Brazil due to govt regulations. But it decided to flout those laws and charge YQ on their award tickets as there is no clear rule on this.

Other airlines like LH, AF, KL, SQ do not charge YQ even on their award tickets. So why does BA think they are above everyone else?

sent my rejoinder against surcharges.. kudos to the guy/guys who filed the complaint!