Oct 14, 2014, 10:32 am
Last edit by: Prospero
Help with British Airways and Iberia Carrier Imposed Surcharges
Using AAdvantage miles for awards using British Airways generally* incurs very high carrier imposed surcharges / fees (BA charges their own BAEC flyers these for Avios redemptions as well). AA awards on IB incur considerably lower fees (~$50 one way transatlantic is quoted by one member, the link to travelisfree.com below gives a BA flight with $458 YQ, IB $96). One FTer claims $700 BA YQ fees for SAN-PRG return, which is not unusual). You are likely to find lots of availability on BA using the aa.com award booking facility.
Intra-European awards using BA have significantly lower carrier imposed charges; some members may find using AA or other partner transatlantic connecting to BA may be acceptable.
NOTE: Paying YQ may trigger a host of other taxes and fees otherwise not charged on awards that do not include carrier imposed surcharges such as YQ. Flights within the Americas are YQ exempt.
As this is still flying on an award, these carrier imposed surcharges do not qualify for EQM or EQD earning.
Be sure to read the oneworld and Other Airline (Partner) Awards info, rules 2014 on thread wiki for information on searching for and finding alternative flights or those not shown on aa.com, which airlines' websites can find those, etc.
Read more about BA Carrier Imposed Surcharges on AA awards here (rrgg supplied most of these below:
Fuel Surcharge for AA award redemptions on BA are up - again.
Partner airline awards now bookable on AA.com (AB, AS, AY, BA, HA, HG, QF, RJ, US)
Does AA push most of its European Awards to BA to collect fuel surcharges?
Charts from TravelIsFree for the three alliances and how you will pay (or avoid) YQ: http://travelisfree.com/2014/04/15/m...surcharges-yq/
HELP DESK: MileSAAver / SAAver award questions, assistance
AA oneworld and Other Airline ("All Partner") Award information, rules (2015 on)
Originating a flight in the UK incurs an Air Passenger Duty, reduced for seats with less than 40" seat pitch (except those originating from originating in BFS / Northern Ireland, Scottish Highlands (INV) or Islands, and connections less than 24 hours do not incur UK Air Passenger Duty, though they do incur airport Passenger Service Charges). Separate topic, dealt with:
UK APD / Air Passenger Duty charged for UK departures (Master Thread); defines what the APD is in the wikipost.
Avoiding crazy UK "APD" taxes when transferring through LHR on separate tickets
Archived posts May 2012 - 2016 may be read here.
Using AAdvantage miles for awards using British Airways generally* incurs very high carrier imposed surcharges / fees (BA charges their own BAEC flyers these for Avios redemptions as well). AA awards on IB incur considerably lower fees (~$50 one way transatlantic is quoted by one member, the link to travelisfree.com below gives a BA flight with $458 YQ, IB $96). One FTer claims $700 BA YQ fees for SAN-PRG return, which is not unusual). You are likely to find lots of availability on BA using the aa.com award booking facility.
Intra-European awards using BA have significantly lower carrier imposed charges; some members may find using AA or other partner transatlantic connecting to BA may be acceptable.
NOTE: Paying YQ may trigger a host of other taxes and fees otherwise not charged on awards that do not include carrier imposed surcharges such as YQ. Flights within the Americas are YQ exempt.
As this is still flying on an award, these carrier imposed surcharges do not qualify for EQM or EQD earning.
Be sure to read the oneworld and Other Airline (Partner) Awards info, rules 2014 on thread wiki for information on searching for and finding alternative flights or those not shown on aa.com, which airlines' websites can find those, etc.
Read more about BA Carrier Imposed Surcharges on AA awards here (rrgg supplied most of these below:
Fuel Surcharge for AA award redemptions on BA are up - again.
Partner airline awards now bookable on AA.com (AB, AS, AY, BA, HA, HG, QF, RJ, US)
Does AA push most of its European Awards to BA to collect fuel surcharges?
Charts from TravelIsFree for the three alliances and how you will pay (or avoid) YQ: http://travelisfree.com/2014/04/15/m...surcharges-yq/
HELP DESK: MileSAAver / SAAver award questions, assistance
AA oneworld and Other Airline ("All Partner") Award information, rules (2015 on)
Originating a flight in the UK incurs an Air Passenger Duty, reduced for seats with less than 40" seat pitch (except those originating from originating in BFS / Northern Ireland, Scottish Highlands (INV) or Islands, and connections less than 24 hours do not incur UK Air Passenger Duty, though they do incur airport Passenger Service Charges). Separate topic, dealt with:
UK APD / Air Passenger Duty charged for UK departures (Master Thread); defines what the APD is in the wikipost.
Avoiding crazy UK "APD" taxes when transferring through LHR on separate tickets
Archived posts May 2012 - 2016 may be read here.
Carrier Imposed Surcharge / YQ: AA award on BA / British (& IB) & avoiding it
Apr 8, 2017, 8:59 pm
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
To go JFK-LHR, LHR-BKK would require 2 awards
Additionally, you will be charged a hefty amount in fuel surcharges if you use BA for award travel
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...ward-chart.jsp
Travel to Asia1 and Asia2 both indicate "Transpacific only"
Last edited by mvoight; Apr 8, 2017 at 9:11 pm
Apr 8, 2017, 11:23 pm
#32
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
May 4, 2017, 11:07 am
#35
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
Read the Wikiposts and threads:
...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ssistance.html
...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ssistance.html
May 5, 2017, 7:28 pm
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,010
Real taxes are the same on the same route/class of travel for all airlines.
Surcharges can trigger additional real taxes if the flight goes from 'non revenue" to "revenue"
May 9, 2017, 12:53 pm
#37
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Ohio, USA
Programs: UA - MM/Lifetime Gold
Posts: 122
Ideas to Avoid BA flight to anywhere using AA Miles
Seems like AA pushes customers to use BA [at least in part] for flights to Europe, Africa, etc with a high cost of taxes and fees.... How can I get around this when i am trying to fly to Europe or Africa using AA miles??
May 9, 2017, 1:00 pm
#38
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
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html.
AA doesn't so much push as flyers avoid using BA, leaving BA with plenty of award availability.
Thread closed. /Moderator
May 27, 2017, 1:08 am
#39
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
better understanding taxes/fees on combined AA/BA awards
More of an academic curiosity than anything else, but I need help better understanding taxes/fees assessed on combined AA/BA award tickets (and I'm not talking about the UK APD or BA YQ fees)...
I currently have an AA award ticket on AA100 JFK-LHR in business class. Taxes/fees totaled $5.60 (just the US security fee). I'm now looking to simply add a connecting BA LHR-VCE business class award segment. AA is quoting an add/collect of $86.70 due to BA taxes/fess. That seems high, especially since there is no UK APD due (LHR connection is <24hrs). For comparison purposes, on AA.com the standalone LHR-VCE business class award segment prices out at just $65.70 in total taxes/fees (which correctly includes the UK APD). Although not exactly relevant, a BA Avios award booking prices at just $40 in taxes/fees for the exact same flight.
Any idea why it's costing $21 more to simply transit LHR as opposed to originating there for the same flight segment? Shouldn't transiting LHR be cheaper in taxes/fees considering there's no APD involved?
-FlyerBeek
I currently have an AA award ticket on AA100 JFK-LHR in business class. Taxes/fees totaled $5.60 (just the US security fee). I'm now looking to simply add a connecting BA LHR-VCE business class award segment. AA is quoting an add/collect of $86.70 due to BA taxes/fess. That seems high, especially since there is no UK APD due (LHR connection is <24hrs). For comparison purposes, on AA.com the standalone LHR-VCE business class award segment prices out at just $65.70 in total taxes/fees (which correctly includes the UK APD). Although not exactly relevant, a BA Avios award booking prices at just $40 in taxes/fees for the exact same flight.
Any idea why it's costing $21 more to simply transit LHR as opposed to originating there for the same flight segment? Shouldn't transiting LHR be cheaper in taxes/fees considering there's no APD involved?
-FlyerBeek
May 27, 2017, 1:45 am
#40
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
It may have to do with the US taxes changing as the BA YQ might trigger some additional US fees.
More of an academic curiosity than anything else, but I need help better understanding taxes/fees assessed on combined AA/BA award tickets (and I'm not talking about the UK APD or BA YQ fees)...
I currently have an AA award ticket on AA100 JFK-LHR in business class. Taxes/fees totaled $5.60 (just the US security fee). I'm now looking to simply add a connecting BA LHR-VCE business class award segment. AA is quoting an add/collect of $86.70 due to BA taxes/fess. That seems high, especially since there is no UK APD due (LHR connection is <24hrs). For comparison purposes, on AA.com the standalone LHR-VCE business class award segment prices out at just $65.70 in total taxes/fees (which correctly includes the UK APD). Although not exactly relevant, a BA Avios award booking prices at just $40 in taxes/fees for the exact same flight.
Any idea why it's costing $21 more to simply transit LHR as opposed to originating there for the same flight segment? Shouldn't transiting LHR be cheaper in taxes/fees considering there's no APD involved?
-FlyerBeek
I currently have an AA award ticket on AA100 JFK-LHR in business class. Taxes/fees totaled $5.60 (just the US security fee). I'm now looking to simply add a connecting BA LHR-VCE business class award segment. AA is quoting an add/collect of $86.70 due to BA taxes/fess. That seems high, especially since there is no UK APD due (LHR connection is <24hrs). For comparison purposes, on AA.com the standalone LHR-VCE business class award segment prices out at just $65.70 in total taxes/fees (which correctly includes the UK APD). Although not exactly relevant, a BA Avios award booking prices at just $40 in taxes/fees for the exact same flight.
Any idea why it's costing $21 more to simply transit LHR as opposed to originating there for the same flight segment? Shouldn't transiting LHR be cheaper in taxes/fees considering there's no APD involved?
-FlyerBeek
May 27, 2017, 2:13 am
#41
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,575
There is not APD due, thanks to it being a connection, but there are other taxes and charges to pay
Additional taxes
United Kingdom Passenger Service Charge Departures (UB) $17.00
US International Departure Tax (US) $18.00
US Passenger Facility Charge (XF) $4.50
Total $39.50
The remaining would be covered by the BA Carrier Surcharge for the shorthaul business class sector; although there may be no carrier surcharge on a standalone booking, there is one on award tickets as part of a transatlantic journey
The 2 extra US taxes are triggered due to carrier surcharge
Additional taxes
United Kingdom Passenger Service Charge Departures (UB) $17.00
US International Departure Tax (US) $18.00
US Passenger Facility Charge (XF) $4.50
Total $39.50
The remaining would be covered by the BA Carrier Surcharge for the shorthaul business class sector; although there may be no carrier surcharge on a standalone booking, there is one on award tickets as part of a transatlantic journey
The 2 extra US taxes are triggered due to carrier surcharge
May 27, 2017, 10:37 am
#42
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
-FlyerBeek
May 27, 2017, 10:45 am
#43
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
More of an academic curiosity than anything else, but I need help better understanding taxes/fees assessed on combined AA/BA award tickets (and I'm not talking about the UK APD or BA YQ fees)...
I currently have an AA award ticket on AA100 JFK-LHR in business class. Taxes/fees totaled $5.60 (just the US security fee). I'm now looking to simply add a connecting BA LHR-VCE business class award segment. AA is quoting an add/collect of $86.70 due to BA taxes/fess. That seems high, especially since there is no UK APD due (LHR connection is <24hrs). For comparison purposes, on AA.com the standalone LHR-VCE business class award segment prices out at just $65.70 in total taxes/fees (which correctly includes the UK APD). Although not exactly relevant, a BA Avios award booking prices at just $40 in taxes/fees for the exact same flight.
Any idea why it's costing $21 more to simply transit LHR as opposed to originating there for the same flight segment? Shouldn't transiting LHR be cheaper in taxes/fees considering there's no APD involved?
-FlyerBeek
I currently have an AA award ticket on AA100 JFK-LHR in business class. Taxes/fees totaled $5.60 (just the US security fee). I'm now looking to simply add a connecting BA LHR-VCE business class award segment. AA is quoting an add/collect of $86.70 due to BA taxes/fess. That seems high, especially since there is no UK APD due (LHR connection is <24hrs). For comparison purposes, on AA.com the standalone LHR-VCE business class award segment prices out at just $65.70 in total taxes/fees (which correctly includes the UK APD). Although not exactly relevant, a BA Avios award booking prices at just $40 in taxes/fees for the exact same flight.
Any idea why it's costing $21 more to simply transit LHR as opposed to originating there for the same flight segment? Shouldn't transiting LHR be cheaper in taxes/fees considering there's no APD involved?
-FlyerBeek
There is not APD due, thanks to it being a connection, but there are other taxes and charges to pay
Additional taxes
United Kingdom Passenger Service Charge Departures (UB) $17.00
US International Departure Tax (US) $18.00
US Passenger Facility Charge (XF) $4.50
Total $39.50
The remaining would be covered by the BA Carrier Surcharge for the shorthaul business class sector; although there may be no carrier surcharge on a standalone booking, there is one on award tickets as part of a transatlantic journey
The 2 extra US taxes are triggered due to carrier surcharge
Additional taxes
United Kingdom Passenger Service Charge Departures (UB) $17.00
US International Departure Tax (US) $18.00
US Passenger Facility Charge (XF) $4.50
Total $39.50
The remaining would be covered by the BA Carrier Surcharge for the shorthaul business class sector; although there may be no carrier surcharge on a standalone booking, there is one on award tickets as part of a transatlantic journey
The 2 extra US taxes are triggered due to carrier surcharge
May 27, 2017, 12:08 pm
#44
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,575
Thanks! That is exactly what is happening. Its interesting that by solely adding a European segment the taxes for the U.S. portion of the award end up increasing. Almost seems like anything called a "US International Departure Tax" should have already been collected on the initial US-LHR segment, but clearly AA.com doesn't include this tax if there is no connection in LHR.
Where a ticket has a fare of zero , only the $5.60 tax is charged
Where a ticket has a non zero fare. the other taxes are charged too
The carrier surcharge is a fare component rather than a tax
By including a BA sector for which there are carrier surcharges, then the ticket no longer has a fare of zero and so the other taxes become due
May 28, 2017, 4:09 am
#45
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
-FlyerBeek