Icelandair Awards Program is a con!
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1
Icelandair Awards Program is a con!
I have been saving for a while, getting frequent flyer miles donated from family, so I can make the trip to visit family in Scandinavia. I have been a loyal passenger on Icelandair for more than 10 years. Not because they are great, but because they are a cheap and easy airline to fly with to Denmark.
But when I tried to book 3 "awards tickets" through their online website, I was quoted $465 in fees and surcharges for EACH ticket! When I bought a 4th ticket at regular price, the fees and surcharges are listed as $86. The airport fees and fuel surcharges quoted to me is over 56 % of a full priced ticket for the same dates. I realized that nowhere on the Icelandair website it states that tickets are free, but I fail to see how an award program can charge more than half the price of a full priced ticket.
I sent them a letter of complaint to their North American and Icelandic offices and to 3 different emails, but so far no response from them.
My question is this. Can the airlines just charge whatever they want for fees for an awards ticket? Is there any limit to how much they can charge?
Needless to say, this will be my last Icelandair trip. I'm switching to other carriers.
But when I tried to book 3 "awards tickets" through their online website, I was quoted $465 in fees and surcharges for EACH ticket! When I bought a 4th ticket at regular price, the fees and surcharges are listed as $86. The airport fees and fuel surcharges quoted to me is over 56 % of a full priced ticket for the same dates. I realized that nowhere on the Icelandair website it states that tickets are free, but I fail to see how an award program can charge more than half the price of a full priced ticket.
I sent them a letter of complaint to their North American and Icelandic offices and to 3 different emails, but so far no response from them.
My question is this. Can the airlines just charge whatever they want for fees for an awards ticket? Is there any limit to how much they can charge?
Needless to say, this will be my last Icelandair trip. I'm switching to other carriers.
#2
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: PHX/SFO/LAX
Programs: AA-EXP (1.7MM), BA-Slvr, HH-Diamond
Posts: 7,784
As far as I know there is no limit.
I'm personally getting tired of these fees on redemptions. Airlines need to be prevented from using "award" or "reward" type language in their FFP marketing as long as they attach fees other than taxes to redemptions.
That said, its been well known that FI's FFP is a poor value.
I'm personally getting tired of these fees on redemptions. Airlines need to be prevented from using "award" or "reward" type language in their FFP marketing as long as they attach fees other than taxes to redemptions.
That said, its been well known that FI's FFP is a poor value.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
Programs: BA Silver, EI Silver, HH Gold, BW Gold, ABP, Seigneur des Horaires des Mucci
Posts: 14,214
I, on the other hand, am getting tired of American posters coming onto the forum complaining about fees and charges on redemptions on EU airlines — it's standard practice this side of the Atlantic, so the assumption that everywhere should be like America grates.
Welcome to FlyerTalk, Luca314, nonetheless!
Welcome to FlyerTalk, Luca314, nonetheless!
#4
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: PHX/SFO/LAX
Programs: AA-EXP (1.7MM), BA-Slvr, HH-Diamond
Posts: 7,784
So that makes it ok?
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
Programs: BA Silver, EI Silver, HH Gold, BW Gold, ABP, Seigneur des Horaires des Mucci
Posts: 14,214
I'd prefer if the fees weren't there, for sure, but assuming that every carrier worldwide will apply the same norms and policies as US-based carriers is perhaps small-minded.
#6
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: MUCCI
Posts: 5,706
#7
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,176
As far as I know there is no limit.
I'm personally getting tired of these fees on redemptions. Airlines need to be prevented from using "award" or "reward" type language in their FFP marketing as long as they attach fees other than taxes to redemptions.
That said, its been well known that FI's FFP is a poor value.
I'm personally getting tired of these fees on redemptions. Airlines need to be prevented from using "award" or "reward" type language in their FFP marketing as long as they attach fees other than taxes to redemptions.
That said, its been well known that FI's FFP is a poor value.
I, on the other hand, am getting tired of American posters coming onto the forum complaining about fees and charges on redemptions on EU airlines — it's standard practice this side of the Atlantic, so the assumption that everywhere should be like America grates.
Welcome to FlyerTalk, Luca314, nonetheless!
Welcome to FlyerTalk, Luca314, nonetheless!
I am completely with ByrdluvsAWACO on this one. Just because it is practice does not mean we should quietly accept it.
If we think it is OK to have a reward ticket and still pay 56% of full price, why should the airlines stop at that? Let's have a new price strategy where the ticket is 10% and the fees and surcharges are 90%...
#8
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,798
I, on the other hand, am getting tired of American posters coming onto the forum complaining about fees and charges on redemptions on EU airlines — it's standard practice this side of the Atlantic, so the assumption that everywhere should be like America grates.
Welcome to FlyerTalk, Luca314, nonetheless!
Welcome to FlyerTalk, Luca314, nonetheless!