Difference in Fees When Flying United vs Lufthansa
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 41
Difference in Fees When Flying United vs Lufthansa
Hi all, am looking to use UA miles to book a trip next year - ORD-VIE and then PRG-ORD (via either MUC or FRA, haven't decided yet) in business class. I am UA Plat. The return flight appears to be operated by Lufthansa.
I have been told there is a difference between booking on United and booking on Lufthansa when it comes to the taxes being paid - that is, booking on Lufthansa using awards would be more expensive since it's not a US-based carrier. Can someone please clarify / explain? Thanks in advance.
I have been told there is a difference between booking on United and booking on Lufthansa when it comes to the taxes being paid - that is, booking on Lufthansa using awards would be more expensive since it's not a US-based carrier. Can someone please clarify / explain? Thanks in advance.
#2
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
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Posts: 50,262
There is no difference in taxes. Those are set by the various governments and do not change no matter where and how you book.
You are talking about fees. Those are not taxes and are set by the individual carriers.
LH has high fees, UA has fundamentally none.
You are talking about fees. Those are not taxes and are set by the individual carriers.
LH has high fees, UA has fundamentally none.
#3
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Some airlines pass fuel surcharges through to the customer, some don't.
#4
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If you book using UA miles, the taxes and fees should be the same for either a UA or LH flight (all else being equal).
If you book using LH M+M, the LH flight will be considerably more expensive due to fuel surcharges.
If you book using LH M+M, the LH flight will be considerably more expensive due to fuel surcharges.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 41
Thanks. Have since discovered that I was given misinformation - this was from a friend who had booked award travel through LHR and apparently there is a luxury tax through LHR (UK rules, nothing to do with the airline itself).
#6
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
There are two aspects of LHR which are expensive. One is the facility fee paid by everyone. Another is the APD, a tax paid to Her Majesty which doubles if flying in a premium cabin. The APD only applies to trips originating in the UK (and not BFS).