vibguy

What about the fuel saving benefits go to a nice bonus for the management. Short term management = short term bonus. These guys really deserve it. They downgrade the complete BA product and they get away with it!

bafan

So there's no reason why it remains a separate surcharge. It should just be included as part of the base fare.

dylanks

There are several reasons they do not:

* corporate discounts are off the base fare only
* surcharges are generally not taxed the same way as the base fare
* more flexibility in fares by charging disproportionate surcharges on various routes and even on different directions
* and of course, charging surcharges on award seats (though they could arguably just ask for more avios if someone wanted to pay less cash, but clearly BA wants as much cash as possible to pay down debt and to issue a dividend).

For what it's worth, I think the dividend is a bad idea, when they really need to finish modernizing their fleet to stay competitive, but I'm sure they are focused on increasing the share price as much as possible in the short term.

LondonElite

But we know that this is just nonsense. It's such nonsense to think that people don't see through this.

callum9999

You keep saying that, but what makes you think BA expect you to? Why would they care that you can "see through" the scheme that they specifically tell you about every time you get a flight quotation and/or booking?

It's not there to make you happy, it's there to increase BA revenue - and I'd be willing to wager it's doing a pretty good job.

simons1

Indeed. If oil was free BA would have some excuse for why a charge was necessary.

shorthauldad

Just as an aside, not all schemes "to increase revenue" are necessarily a) a good idea, b) successful in the longer term, and/or c) actually legal.

Sixth Freedom

I agree. Just roll out RFS on longhaul charging GBP 500 for CW/F and be done with it.

shorthauldad

According to Bloomberg, WTI now at $54, Brent at $59.

Oil goes up, fuel surcharge goes up.

Oil goes down, fuel surcharge ... pays for the dividend and management's bonus?

Enjoy redeeming your Avios, folks!

Crampedin13A

No different than here in Canada where when the oil price goes up the gasoline price at the pump immediately goes up. When the oil price comes down there is quite a lag between in the downward price at the pump. The latter I understand,the former is an obvious price gouge. Someone did a calculation using AC's similar to BA rip off fuel surcharges before they also changed the term to a carrier surcharge and the "fuel" surcharges charged to passengers added up to more than the actual cost of the fuel for the flight.

Lioneye

callum9999

I didn't say all schemes were, I said I'd wager THIS scheme does.

How many times do you have to be told? IT IS NOT A FUEL SURCHARGE.

bafan

So why does BA have a surcharge at all ? It makes no sense, unless it is to make more profit than it otherwise (lawfully and, under normal accounting rules) properly would.

callum9999

How on Earth does a private company making more profit not make sense!?

Companies exist solely to get as much of your money as it possibly can. I'm shocked that's news to some people.

GavT_london

so what are IAG Talking about then????

IAG Group said it would not lower fuel surcharges at present

British Airways dont have one, so whether IAG lower their fuel surcharge or not, then it makes no odds to BA....