Originally Posted by
tth6133
Reimbursement rates for partner saver-level awards should be contractual, not subject to market dynamics. However, fuel surcharges, which AS absorbs, may increase the cost to AS. We probably should check with ITAMatrix to see what the increases in fuel surcharges are on the routes we saw significant increases in award prices, but my guess is that it probably wouldn't explain the magnitude of the award price increases. Besides, AS always has the alternative to block those awards that it deems too expensive.
Carrier-imposed surcharges (they no longer refer to them as fuel surcharges as they don't necessarily coorelate with fuel prices and regulators are sensitive about mis-labeling these things) on revenue fares are not actually the same as what they charge on award tickets. On revenue fares they can vary with seasonality, country, and US vs. EU origins on fares. BA/AA US-origin UK-destination surcharges on revenue fares can be as high $688 roundtrip for coach fares in the summer vs. $498 in off/shoulder seasons like spring. For UK origin fares, they have different carrier-imposed surcharges.
