Requesting an APD Refund
Jan 24, 2017, 6:28 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP,AS MVPG,MR Platinum,HH Gold
Posts: 1,343
Requesting an APD Refund
Hello folks,
I figured the outcome of this might be of interest to y'all. As you know, when you depart from the UK (except Northern Ireland, because reasons) you need to pay Her Majesty a significant air passenger duty (100s of dollars usually to long-haul destinations). I'm sure y'all know it's not due on flight connections under 24h.
The current state of thinking (from the bloggers mostly [1]) is that a single ticket is not required and that if you book two separate tickets with a <24h connection in the UK you can request a refund of the APD from the airline you paid it to. I've got one of these separate-ticket itineraries coming up, and KrisFlyer collected my APD, and as you might imagine, I'd love it back.
Anyone have some success with this in the past? I'm sure this isn't a request they get every day. I'll follow up back here with any outcome.
My current plan is to fly as booked, then forward them itinerary documents and scans of the boarding passes.
[1] http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....departure-tax/
[edit] NOTE: It is possible this can't be done, so I'm mostly checking if someone's done this before. I know BA won't do it
but that's hardly surprising, though AA and UA appear to take care of it quickly and easily.
I figured the outcome of this might be of interest to y'all. As you know, when you depart from the UK (except Northern Ireland, because reasons) you need to pay Her Majesty a significant air passenger duty (100s of dollars usually to long-haul destinations). I'm sure y'all know it's not due on flight connections under 24h.
The current state of thinking (from the bloggers mostly [1]) is that a single ticket is not required and that if you book two separate tickets with a <24h connection in the UK you can request a refund of the APD from the airline you paid it to. I've got one of these separate-ticket itineraries coming up, and KrisFlyer collected my APD, and as you might imagine, I'd love it back.
Anyone have some success with this in the past? I'm sure this isn't a request they get every day. I'll follow up back here with any outcome.
My current plan is to fly as booked, then forward them itinerary documents and scans of the boarding passes.
[1] http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....departure-tax/
[edit] NOTE: It is possible this can't be done, so I'm mostly checking if someone's done this before. I know BA won't do it
but that's hardly surprising, though AA and UA appear to take care of it quickly and easily.
Last edited by arcticbull; Jan 24, 2017 at 6:47 am
Jan 24, 2017, 7:40 am
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
There are at least 10 other threads on the same topic unless they have been merged and contain the specific provision. You should do a search and then follow the instructions.
For what it is worth, the issue is not about a "connection" but about "conjunction tickets." That has a very specific legal meaning under UK tax law and you can determine whether the ticketing arrangements you propose will meet the requirements to either request a refund or avoid the tax in the first instance.
For what it is worth, the issue is not about a "connection" but about "conjunction tickets." That has a very specific legal meaning under UK tax law and you can determine whether the ticketing arrangements you propose will meet the requirements to either request a refund or avoid the tax in the first instance.
Jan 24, 2017, 7:47 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BA Gold, QF WP
Posts: 12,551
There have been a few anecdotes of airlines refunding on separate tickets, however this is not in accordance with the law which requires flights to be on one ticket or conjunction tickets to be exempt from APD:
https://www.gov.uk/government/public...nected-flights
The connected flights must be detailed on the same ticket or conjunction tickets to qualify for the exemption. Tickets can only be regarded as conjunction tickets if:
a. they are in one booklet, or
b. where they are in separate booklets:
each refers to the other and states that they are to be read in conjunction
there is a summary of the flights constituting the passengers journey including the flights in question
Although the flights may meet all the other criteria for determining whether 2 flights are connected, they will only qualify for the exemption if the connection is evidenced on the ticket or a flight summary.
a. they are in one booklet, or
b. where they are in separate booklets:
each refers to the other and states that they are to be read in conjunction
there is a summary of the flights constituting the passengers journey including the flights in question
Although the flights may meet all the other criteria for determining whether 2 flights are connected, they will only qualify for the exemption if the connection is evidenced on the ticket or a flight summary.
Jan 24, 2017, 11:34 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP,AS MVPG,MR Platinum,HH Gold
Posts: 1,343
There are at least 10 other threads on the same topic unless they have been merged and contain the specific provision. You should do a search and then follow the instructions.
For what it is worth, the issue is not about a "connection" but about "conjunction tickets." That has a very specific legal meaning under UK tax law and you can determine whether the ticketing arrangements you propose will meet the requirements to either request a refund or avoid the tax in the first instance.
For what it is worth, the issue is not about a "connection" but about "conjunction tickets." That has a very specific legal meaning under UK tax law and you can determine whether the ticketing arrangements you propose will meet the requirements to either request a refund or avoid the tax in the first instance.
thanks!
Aug 22, 2023, 3:14 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576
There have been a few anecdotes of airlines refunding on separate tickets, however this is not in accordance with the law which requires flights to be on one ticket or conjunction tickets to be exempt from APD:
https://www.gov.uk/government/public...nected-flights
https://www.gov.uk/government/public...nected-flights