Discrepancy in redemption taxes?
Oct 6, 2018, 1:12 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 326
Discrepancy in redemption taxes?
Hi
I am looking at a one-way redemption GIG-LHR. When I select a flight (off-peak), I get 19500 Avios + £20,59. If I click continue, that suddenly becomes 19500 Avios + £ 153.60. Where does that difference come from?
I am looking at a one-way redemption GIG-LHR. When I select a flight (off-peak), I get 19500 Avios + £20,59. If I click continue, that suddenly becomes 19500 Avios + £ 153.60. Where does that difference come from?
Oct 6, 2018, 1:13 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
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Posts: 3,937
Oct 6, 2018, 1:26 pm
#3
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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The difference is purely carrier surcharge which BA is adding on. It shouldn't be charged for an exBrazil booking - it isn't charged if you try booking an equivalent revenue flight. I can only suggest you call BA and point this out, you shouldn't be paying more than the £20.59.
Oct 6, 2018, 4:05 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 326
It's economy class on an off-peak date. If I make it a return journey, the same happens, to the point of which it becomes better to simply buy a cash ticket. So calling BA would give me the non-inflated price? I would be booking this for somebody else coming from Brazil. That is possible right? I ussually only book the shorthaul RWS redemption so longhaul is a new one for me.
Oct 6, 2018, 4:14 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: London
Programs: Gold at BA, Hilton and Radisson.
Posts: 592
I had this issue with BA last year during the half price Y redemption sale. I never managed to get them to agree to a 'no carrier surcharge' redemption sadly, even via. the phone. It went fairly high up if I recall, and the law about carrier surcharges apparently only applies to 'cash' bookings.
FWIW; if you still have an Avios account it prices up correctly there... (you will loose the generous cancellation policy though). Alternatively; Iberia to Madrid then the 777 back could work?
FWIW; if you still have an Avios account it prices up correctly there... (you will loose the generous cancellation policy though). Alternatively; Iberia to Madrid then the 777 back could work?
Oct 6, 2018, 4:16 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: London
Programs: Gold at BA, Hilton and Radisson.
Posts: 592
Indeed it is possible. Just make sure you do not select the 'Cardholder is travelling on this booking' box. Nothing has appeared for a while but they may want to physically see the payment card at check in otherwise!
Oct 6, 2018, 8:37 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
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Posts: 17,008
There are a number of threads somewhere discussing this very topic.
Essentially, in short, there should be no fuel charge/carrier charge on tickets from Brasil. Rather like the the Hong Kong set up. So sensible folk set up round trips between UK and Brasil as two one-ways, avoiding a significant part of the cash element BA (and other carriers) might add to a round-trip ticket.
Now here the fun starts. BA ignores the rules and puts a hefty carrier charge on redemptions from Brasil. It's unclear if this is BA venality, or the uncurable clunkiness of the airline's IT. But it's being going on for years - and if it is the reservation system that's at fault it's taking an awfully long time to fix - in the meantime, of course, BA rakes in the excess cash it is not entitled to.
One excuse offered was that Brasil tickets are issued in Mexico, but that simply does not wash.
If BA agents won't, or can't, play ball, then it seems the answer is to pay what is asked for, then request a refund of the carrier charge under threat of official complaint to ANAC, the Brasilian CAA. If the airline does not comply, then it faces censure and fines. This has so far been avoided because BA backs down and coughs up.
Lufthansa (and I think most if not all other carriers) accept the Brasilian regulations: Miles & More redemption tickets from Brasil attract a very low co-payment.
BA Fuel Surcharge EX Brazil
Is there a YQ to/from Brazil?
YQ From GRU to LON but NOT to MAD
Essentially, in short, there should be no fuel charge/carrier charge on tickets from Brasil. Rather like the the Hong Kong set up. So sensible folk set up round trips between UK and Brasil as two one-ways, avoiding a significant part of the cash element BA (and other carriers) might add to a round-trip ticket.
Now here the fun starts. BA ignores the rules and puts a hefty carrier charge on redemptions from Brasil. It's unclear if this is BA venality, or the uncurable clunkiness of the airline's IT. But it's being going on for years - and if it is the reservation system that's at fault it's taking an awfully long time to fix - in the meantime, of course, BA rakes in the excess cash it is not entitled to.
One excuse offered was that Brasil tickets are issued in Mexico, but that simply does not wash.
If BA agents won't, or can't, play ball, then it seems the answer is to pay what is asked for, then request a refund of the carrier charge under threat of official complaint to ANAC, the Brasilian CAA. If the airline does not comply, then it faces censure and fines. This has so far been avoided because BA backs down and coughs up.
Lufthansa (and I think most if not all other carriers) accept the Brasilian regulations: Miles & More redemption tickets from Brasil attract a very low co-payment.
BA Fuel Surcharge EX Brazil
Is there a YQ to/from Brazil?
YQ From GRU to LON but NOT to MAD
Last edited by IAN-UK; Oct 6, 2018 at 8:46 pm Reason: adding the links
Oct 6, 2018, 10:03 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Brighton UK
Programs: BAEC-Silver, AMEX-BA Prem' Plus & Standard, Accor Gold, HH-Silver, IHG,IBIS On Business
Posts: 955
@IAN-UK - I think this comment demonstrates why everyone, okay not everyone but even I slipped in under the radar, should join FT if they fly a decent amount. Knowledge like this is, imho, invaluable.
Side note: ppl are welcome to use my own policy. I've upgraded three flights from (1)ET-CE (2)WT-CW. Using my most recent we missed out on reward upgrading by a couple days ( wont bore you with the details) so called them up. Understood the agent couldn't override the fee so asked for a manager and was told the change fee was payable and that was that. I explained it was simple, BA made £1700 and wrote off £60 of that or they didn't get the £1700. My policy is if im giving you more money you sure as s*** aren't going to charge me a fee for the pleasure of doing so & I dont give f*** what your policy is. I'm less prone to this sort of thing now i've learnt more about bookings etc from FT and educated myself but I will never change my own policy of not paying a( ny) company a service fee/ charge etc for them to get more of my hard earned money. I find BA call centre managers generally to be very company line orientated initially but with a reasoned explanation why it's basically wrong to charge people to take more money and add to profits they have thus far seen my way of things.
Side note: ppl are welcome to use my own policy. I've upgraded three flights from (1)ET-CE (2)WT-CW. Using my most recent we missed out on reward upgrading by a couple days ( wont bore you with the details) so called them up. Understood the agent couldn't override the fee so asked for a manager and was told the change fee was payable and that was that. I explained it was simple, BA made £1700 and wrote off £60 of that or they didn't get the £1700. My policy is if im giving you more money you sure as s*** aren't going to charge me a fee for the pleasure of doing so & I dont give f*** what your policy is. I'm less prone to this sort of thing now i've learnt more about bookings etc from FT and educated myself but I will never change my own policy of not paying a( ny) company a service fee/ charge etc for them to get more of my hard earned money. I find BA call centre managers generally to be very company line orientated initially but with a reasoned explanation why it's basically wrong to charge people to take more money and add to profits they have thus far seen my way of things.
Oct 7, 2018, 2:43 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 326
Essentially, in short, there should be no fuel charge/ carrier charge on tickets from Brasil. Rather like the the Hong Kong set up. So sensible folk set up round trips between UK and Brasil as two one-ways, avoiding a significant part of the cash element BA (and other carriers) might add to a round-trip ticket.
Oct 7, 2018, 6:37 am
#12
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
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in your case that’s not really something that would help tbh as your booking originates in Brazil. It is more relevant if you are doing a UK to Brazil return booking or Uk-HK return booking as in those cases the booking originates from the UK and full carrier surcharge would be incurred for out and back flights.
Oct 7, 2018, 6:30 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
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You are in the much blessed position of starting your journey in Brasil, so your entire itinerary, booked on a single ticket, should be free of all carrier imposed charges. You pay only government imposed taxes/duties and the regular airport related fees.
ANAC is well aware of BA's guile.