Using miles costs more than cash price?? (AA Award on BA)
Jun 11, 2019, 6:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2019
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1
Using miles costs more than cash price?? (AA Award on BA)
I'd like to book BOS-LHR non-stop round trip. AA.com quotes $486 in the main cabin.
When I try to redeem miles for the same flights the cost is 52,500 miles PLUS a $693 fee.
I asked AA customer service about this and they offered the following response:
When I try to redeem miles for the same flights the cost is 52,500 miles PLUS a $693 fee.
I asked AA customer service about this and they offered the following response:
"Note that Heathrow has the highest taxes and fees. On a mileage ticket you will incur the airport taxes and fees, which explains the high fee. I suggest you understand the terms and conditions associated with the low fares.There simply isn't a way to do a comparison or a conversion to show dollar value, since AAdvantage miles are not a true currency."
Am I missing something or can someone explain this crazy fee structure?
Am I missing something or can someone explain this crazy fee structure?
Jun 11, 2019, 6:59 pm
#2
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
I'd like to book BOS-LHR non-stop round trip. AA.com quotes $486 in the main cabin.
When I try to redeem miles for the same flights the cost is 52,500 miles PLUS a $693 fee.
I asked AA customer service about this and they offered the following response:
When I try to redeem miles for the same flights the cost is 52,500 miles PLUS a $693 fee.
I asked AA customer service about this and they offered the following response:
"Note that Heathrow has the highest taxes and fees. On a mileage ticket you will incur the airport taxes and fees, which explains the high fee. I suggest you understand the terms and conditions associated with the low fares.There simply isn't a way to do a comparison or a conversion to show dollar value, since AAdvantage miles are not a true currency."
Am I missing something or can someone explain this crazy fee structure?
Am I missing something or can someone explain this crazy fee structure?
They told you rubbish.
Your problem is you’re using AAdvantage miles to fly British Airways, which requires extortionate “carrier imposed fees” (they used to call it “fuel charges”), not Heathrow fees or U. K. taxes. Fly AA, you’ll pay much, much less. (You’ll still pay the United Kingdom Air Passenger Duty on the U. K. originating flight - see UK APD / Air Passenger Duty charged for UK departures (Master Thread).)
See Carrier Imposed Surcharge / YQ: AA award on BA / British (& IB) & avoiding it
Last edited by JDiver; Jun 11, 2019 at 7:08 pm
Jun 11, 2019, 7:02 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,018
I'd like to book BOS-LHR non-stop round trip. AA.com quotes $486 in the main cabin.
When I try to redeem miles for the same flights the cost is 52,500 miles PLUS a $693 fee.
I asked AA customer service about this and they offered the following response:
When I try to redeem miles for the same flights the cost is 52,500 miles PLUS a $693 fee.
I asked AA customer service about this and they offered the following response:
"Note that Heathrow has the highest taxes and fees. On a mileage ticket you will incur the airport taxes and fees, which explains the high fee. I suggest you understand the terms and conditions associated with the low fares.There simply isn't a way to do a comparison or a conversion to show dollar value, since AAdvantage miles are not a true currency."
Am I missing something or can someone explain this crazy fee structure?
Am I missing something or can someone explain this crazy fee structure?
Flights from most UK airports have the APD https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Passenger_Duty
That applies to all airlines and all tickets. Does not matter if award or a cash ticket. They are same $.
The UK real taxes and fees for arrivals are not that dissimilar to any other airport/country.
Just pay cash for the flights
Jun 12, 2019, 1:52 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Park, Metropolis
Programs: AA LT PLT 3MM, Hilton/Marriott/SPG/Club Carlson GLD, IHG PLT
Posts: 4,608
Every program has their "sweet spot" and the not so "sweet". To me, the answer is clear, spend the $$, why burn the miles + pay more $$$ and fly in the same type cabin.
Jun 12, 2019, 3:10 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,631
Are you paraphrasing a conversation, or did they lie (sorry, I mean fib) in writing (e-mail)?
Jun 12, 2019, 3:25 pm
#10
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,485
Exactly. I haven't seen sub $500 to Europe (well from Texas or Arizona) for quite some time. I do remember partaking in several around $425 fares, and even one about $350, back in the day (it seemed that flight was half filled with FlyerTalkers). ^
(but as I get older I'm looking at more biz now too
)
OP--I'd just book this, pay the ticket, and be done with it.
(but as I get older I'm looking at more biz now too
)OP--I'd just book this, pay the ticket, and be done with it.