AYQ-ASP has much higher taxes/fees than SYD-MEL.
AYQ-ASP has the following taxes/fees totalling US$39.40:
Code:
Australian Safety & Security Surcharge (WG) US$3.90
Australian Domestic Passenger Service Charge (QR) US$12.20
Australian Domestic Passenger Service Charge (QR) US$23.30
In comparison, SYD-MEL has lower taxes/fees totalling $9.60:
Code:
Australian Safety & Security Surcharge (WG) US$3.90
Australian Domestic Passenger Service Charge (QR) US$3.00
Australian Domestic Passenger Service Charge (QR) US$2.70
Also, the phone service charge should really be applied. It is only waived where the functionality to do something normally exists but is not working. In this case, there has never been functionality to book these flights online so the service fee should have been applied.
Interesting, this is my first time seeing a country uses different passenger service charge for different region.
I respectfully disagree your opinion on the phone service charge. Since the BA website prevents me from making this booking, then I have to call. If BA fixes this issue, then it will save both side a lot of effort.