Last edit by: JDiver
MODERATOR GUIDEPOST
The U.K. Air Passenger Duty / APD is "a duty of Excise which is levied on the carriage, from a UK airport, of chargeable passengers on chargeable aircraft... The amount due is dependent on the final destination and class of travel of the chargeable passenger... The reduced rates apply where the passengers are carried in the lowest class of travel on any flight unless the seat pitch exceeds 1.016 metres (40 inches), in which case, whether there is one or more than one class of travel the standard rates apply." Link. Those in transit from other countries are exempt.
As of 01 Apr 2012, the APD is:As of 01 Apr 2013 will be:
The U.K. Air Passenger Duty / APD is "a duty of Excise which is levied on the carriage, from a UK airport, of chargeable passengers on chargeable aircraft... The amount due is dependent on the final destination and class of travel of the chargeable passenger... The reduced rates apply where the passengers are carried in the lowest class of travel on any flight unless the seat pitch exceeds 1.016 metres (40 inches), in which case, whether there is one or more than one class of travel the standard rates apply." Link. Those in transit from other countries are exempt.
As of 01 Apr 2012, the APD is:
- Band A (0 to 2,000 miles): Reduced £13, Standard £26
- Band B (2,001 to 4,000 miles) (e.g. USA, Canada): Reduced £65, Standard £130
- Band C (4,001 to 6,000 miles): Reduced £81, Standard £162
- Band D (over 6,000 miles): Reduced £92, Standard £184
- Band A (0 to 2,000 miles) £13 Reduced, £26 Standard (no change)
- Band B (2,001 to 4,000 miles) (e.g. USA, Canada): Reduced £62, Standard £134
- Band C (4,001 to 6,000 miles): Reduced £83, Standard £166
- Band D (over 6,000 miles): Reduced £94, Standard £188
UK APD / Air Passenger Duty and increases again - Apr 1 2012
#61
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: MIA
Programs: AA PLT 2mm SPG Gold HH Diamond
Posts: 740
Not too long ago the tax was zero. How greedy can they get. Unfortunately this effects the airlines as well as us.
#62
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: MI
Programs: NW/DL Plat->Gold->Silver, AA EXP 1MM
Posts: 855
Extra ticketing charge after VIP upograde
Perhaps this is well known on this board but:
VIP upgrade cleared this morning for the TATL portion of our outbound: DTW-ORD-LHR-LYS, so we are in business class on ORD-LHR, economy all other segments. I was required to pay an extra $49 for each of us to reticket this, described as taxes.
Anyone know what this is about? If it is the infamous increased UK departure tax, should it apply to someone who arrives in business but departs in economy?
Earlier we had cleared the return flight VIP upgrade on the TATL portion of LYS-BRU-ORD-DTW
VIP upgrade cleared this morning for the TATL portion of our outbound: DTW-ORD-LHR-LYS, so we are in business class on ORD-LHR, economy all other segments. I was required to pay an extra $49 for each of us to reticket this, described as taxes.
Anyone know what this is about? If it is the infamous increased UK departure tax, should it apply to someone who arrives in business but departs in economy?
Earlier we had cleared the return flight VIP upgrade on the TATL portion of LYS-BRU-ORD-DTW
#63
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Racine, WI/VCE
Programs: AA EXP, MR LT PPE, Arise Mucci des Hommes de Fer
Posts: 1,047
Perhaps this is well known on this board but:
VIP upgrade cleared this morning for the TATL portion of our outbound: DTW-ORD-LHR-LYS, so we are in business class on ORD-LHR, economy all other segments. I was required to pay an extra $49 for each of us to reticket this, described as taxes.
Anyone know what this is about? If it is the infamous increased UK departure tax, should it apply to someone who arrives in business but departs in economy?
Earlier we had cleared the return flight VIP upgrade on the TATL portion of LYS-BRU-ORD-DTW
VIP upgrade cleared this morning for the TATL portion of our outbound: DTW-ORD-LHR-LYS, so we are in business class on ORD-LHR, economy all other segments. I was required to pay an extra $49 for each of us to reticket this, described as taxes.
Anyone know what this is about? If it is the infamous increased UK departure tax, should it apply to someone who arrives in business but departs in economy?
Earlier we had cleared the return flight VIP upgrade on the TATL portion of LYS-BRU-ORD-DTW
#64
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD, LHR, GLA
Programs: AA CK/EXP/1MM, UA Conscientious Objector, Hyatt CC, SPG Plat, HH Diamond VIP
Posts: 244
This is not a reticketing fee. Whether you agree with the charge (or its application in this circumstance) or not, these dollars do not go to AA's bottom-lime.
The airlines, AA included, universally loathe the UK tax, and to suggest that they are enriched by it, when they are plainly not (and in fact are hurt by it) is a bit tenuous.
All that being said, I agree with your unwritten sentiment -- and the airlines: the tax is lousy.
The airlines, AA included, universally loathe the UK tax, and to suggest that they are enriched by it, when they are plainly not (and in fact are hurt by it) is a bit tenuous.
All that being said, I agree with your unwritten sentiment -- and the airlines: the tax is lousy.
#65
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: MI
Programs: NW/DL Plat->Gold->Silver, AA EXP 1MM
Posts: 855
This is not a reticketing fee. Whether you agree with the charge (or its application in this circumstance) or not, these dollars do not go to AA's bottom-lime.
The airlines, AA included, universally loathe the UK tax, and to suggest that they are enriched by it, when they are plainly not (and in fact are hurt by it) is a bit tenuous.
All that being said, I agree with your unwritten sentiment -- and the airlines: the tax is lousy.
The airlines, AA included, universally loathe the UK tax, and to suggest that they are enriched by it, when they are plainly not (and in fact are hurt by it) is a bit tenuous.
All that being said, I agree with your unwritten sentiment -- and the airlines: the tax is lousy.
A good reason to avoid transiting the UK when traveling to continental Europe I guess
#66
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: WAS
Posts: 1,626
Perhaps this is well known on this board but:
VIP upgrade cleared this morning for the TATL portion of our outbound: DTW-ORD-LHR-LYS, so we are in business class on ORD-LHR, economy all other segments. I was required to pay an extra $49 for each of us to reticket this, described as taxes.
Anyone know what this is about? If it is the infamous increased UK departure tax, should it apply to someone who arrives in business but departs in economy?
Earlier we had cleared the return flight VIP upgrade on the TATL portion of LYS-BRU-ORD-DTW
VIP upgrade cleared this morning for the TATL portion of our outbound: DTW-ORD-LHR-LYS, so we are in business class on ORD-LHR, economy all other segments. I was required to pay an extra $49 for each of us to reticket this, described as taxes.
Anyone know what this is about? If it is the infamous increased UK departure tax, should it apply to someone who arrives in business but departs in economy?
Earlier we had cleared the return flight VIP upgrade on the TATL portion of LYS-BRU-ORD-DTW
#67
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: London UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,042
Could it be related to your return upgrade? I know France has a "luxury tax" too but not sure of the exactly how that operates. You are departing France in economy but connecting to a flight in business from another EU country so that may be it. I know if you depart the UK in economy to connect to a transatlantic flight in business you are still caught by the tax increase. The French tax may work in the same way
#68
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161
Indeed there is!
To the OP: Call AA and ask the reason for the charge; if the Agent says only "taxes" then ask for more details.
There are times when the taxes are charged incorrectly; transiting pax (less than 24 hrs) thru the UK are not required to pay the tax.
To the OP: Call AA and ask the reason for the charge; if the Agent says only "taxes" then ask for more details.
There are times when the taxes are charged incorrectly; transiting pax (less than 24 hrs) thru the UK are not required to pay the tax.
#69
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
I flew into LHR on a trip last week and came home from DUB this week. Got a $65AI BMI flight LHR-DUB the night before DUB-ORD on AA. I've cleared 5 systemwides upgrades this year either to/from DUB, but it does take a leap of faith, with 16 seats, to think one would consistently clear these flights. Figure I saved about $300 when you add up the fare difference, tax differences, and cost of upgrading from the U.K. when I booked the tickets.
#71
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: STL
Programs: AA 2MM, AS MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,966
That doesn't necessarily make this thread unique.
#72
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,097
Only the French are worse--for now.
Full details at http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index...tions_%28AA%29
#73
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: All over
Programs: AA-LTP, HH-DIA, Marriott-LT+AMB, Hyatt-Globalist, Hertz-PC, UA-GS
Posts: 6,828
LHR is a lousy place to transit even if you don't upgrade; an economy-class roundtrip from the US to Europe routed through LHR will cost almost $70 more in taxes and fees than one that's nonstrop, $66 more than one that's routed through a US airport, and $44 more than one connecting at MAD.
Only the French are worse--for now.
Full details at http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index...tions_%28AA%29
Only the French are worse--for now.
Full details at http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index...tions_%28AA%29
#74
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mostly AUS or rural England
Programs: BAEC redundant Bronze, AAdvantage Lifetime PLT, CO, WN, B6
Posts: 6,526
No, it's a good reason to avoid a stopover at LHR and spending any money there. Her majesty's government seems to want to encourage travelers to go straight through to Europe. If you simply insist on stopping over, they seemingly would prefer you do so on your way to Europe, not on your way back. Must be better for the environment that way.
#75
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
As noted in the title of this thread, it is actually an "Air Passenger Duty", and Economy passengers pay one as well. A Y to J passenger upgrading pays the difference between the Y and J/F APD. This post lists the APDs due. As the APD is distance-dependent as well as class-of-service dependent, one pays more the greater the distance flown.
And, it's going up again this November. UK-USA will be £120 -Australia will be £170. Over $500 round trip in J or F... Wheee! Perhaps Her Majesty will take pity in her one-time subjects - not!
And, it's going up again this November. UK-USA will be £120 -Australia will be £170. Over $500 round trip in J or F... Wheee! Perhaps Her Majesty will take pity in her one-time subjects - not!
Last edited by JDiver; Feb 19, 2010 at 2:56 pm Reason: edit