Originally Posted by
Jenbel
The one caveat to this is that some airlines charge a 'handling fee' greater than the cost of the taxes. I'm not aware of BA doing this - but given they have decided that you have to pay a fuel surcharge for a flight you didn't take, then I really wouldn't be surprised if they'd gone all LCC on this too.
BA have found a way of 'going all LCC'.
Fully flexible tickets - They will refund the YQ, Govt. fees and taxes. The handling fee is £15 online or £30 over the phone.
Semi flexible tickets - The Govt. fees and taxes are fully refundable (subject to the handling fee above), the YQ is refundable as per the ticket rules (ie refund less 20% before departure, not refundable after departure - the YQ is subject to the same conditions).
Non flexible tickets - The Govt. fees and taxes are fully refundable subject to the handling fees above. The YQ is non-refundable.
So now BA can make you pay the YQ on redemptions because it is an adjunct to the fare, but won't refund it on a restricted ticket because it is the same as the fare. Beautiful doublespeak.