Ex-US Fuel Surcharges for F up 50%
Oct 8, 2018, 4:08 pm
#16
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Oct 9, 2018, 1:55 am
#17
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oxon, UK
Programs: Mucci des canapes, Skywards Gold, BAEC Gold, IC Plat Amb, Accor Gold
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Essentially an easy and quiet way to devalue Avios without raising the complaints that a formal adjustment of earning or spend rates would cause.
Oct 14, 2018, 10:13 pm
#18
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Tit, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold, Carlson Gold, UA*S,
Posts: 1,363
BA has recently increased the surcharges on First Class flights out of the US. To be honest, it is now getting silly.
A First Class redemption using Avios from New York JFK to London Heathrow now costs a ludicrous Ł1,395 in taxes and charges. Per person..
Doing the same trip in reverse, from the UK, ‘only’ costs Ł598 return.
I have absolutely no idea what the grounds are for charging US residents more than twice as much, but it makes no sense at all. To be fair, this is good news for UK residents as it means US residents are unlikely to be taking all of the Avios seats.
A First Class redemption using Avios from New York JFK to London Heathrow now costs a ludicrous Ł1,395 in taxes and charges. Per person..
Doing the same trip in reverse, from the UK, ‘only’ costs Ł598 return.
I have absolutely no idea what the grounds are for charging US residents more than twice as much, but it makes no sense at all. To be fair, this is good news for UK residents as it means US residents are unlikely to be taking all of the Avios seats.
Oct 15, 2018, 1:17 am
#19
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Oct 16, 2018, 6:59 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
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Wow, this is pretty awful. I paid ~$1100 for my last r/t F redemption back in May, and now I'm being quoted more than $1800.
Just more reasons to be glad I discontinued my loyalty to BA and started using up my Avios balance.
Just more reasons to be glad I discontinued my loyalty to BA and started using up my Avios balance.
Oct 16, 2018, 7:17 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Alameda, CA, US
Programs: BAEC Gold (GGL/CCR), HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,346
Yes, I am looking for a different Visa card now too. No need for more Avios.
Oct 16, 2018, 7:20 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Arizona
Programs: BA (GGL G4L), AA (Gold), HH (Diamond); Marriott (Gold)
Posts: 3,011
This is a pretty absurd devaluation of the joker and 2-4-1 benefits for those in the US, as these are the scenarios where you need to book a return journey rather than two one-way tickets.
Oct 17, 2018, 12:40 pm
#23
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA, DL, TK
Posts: 230
Impact on changes to existing Avios booking?
Could this change result in a requirement to pay additional YQ when changing an existing Avios booking? I found availability on the early LHR-BOS, which when connecting from JNB would save 5 hours of layover, but was advised that in addition to the expected change fee, that the "taxes" were $500+ more per person. My first instinct was HUCA, but then I saw this thread.
Oct 17, 2018, 12:55 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,659
I'm pretty sure you've got that wrong in the case of AA... they will levy the BA YQ on BA-metal redemptions using AAdvantage miles, but on AA-metal redemptions the taxes come to US$5.60 on most ex-US itineraries, whether in F, J or Y. I can't speak for experience with AF, LH or UA.
Oct 17, 2018, 1:07 pm
#25
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I'm pretty sure you've got that wrong in the case of AA... they will levy the BA YQ on BA-metal redemptions using AAdvantage miles, but on AA-metal redemptions the taxes come to US$5.60 on most ex-US itineraries, whether in F, J or Y. I can't speak for experience with AF, LH or UA.
Oct 17, 2018, 1:11 pm
#26
Join Date: May 2004
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Oct 17, 2018, 2:58 pm
#27
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As always, the quick way of testing this is to find the breakdown of TFC (or even just the total number, if you haven't got a breakdown) on your existing ticket. Then go to ITA and price the same itinerary using any booking class in the cabin in which you're flying. Ignore the fare lines and look at the TFC quoted today by ITA.
Oct 17, 2018, 9:28 pm
#28
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Posts: 4,350
Selfishly, I wish it was much less well known! It has become too good a bargain compared to BAEC redemptions and accounts for the fact that premium awards on AA metal using AA miles are so hard to find. I fear this latest development will only make things worse.
Oct 17, 2018, 10:30 pm
#29
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,581
If it was widely known, then maybe there would be a lot more push by people to get rid of the fare disguised as a tax - if BA wants its scheme to be points+cash, then make it be open about it being so, rather than trying to hide it
Also, hopefully the ripping off of people from certain countries over other countries would also go - I cannot see any justification for ripping those originating in the US more than those in the UK get ripped off
Oct 17, 2018, 11:00 pm
#30
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
AA redemptions on other carriers are fine too ( other than BA )
If it was widely known, then maybe there would be a lot more push by people to get rid of the fare disguised as a tax - if BA wants its scheme to be points+cash, then make it be open about it being so, rather than trying to hide it
Also, hopefully the ripping off of people from certain countries over other countries would also go - I cannot see any justification for ripping those originating in the US more than those in the UK get ripped off
If it was widely known, then maybe there would be a lot more push by people to get rid of the fare disguised as a tax - if BA wants its scheme to be points+cash, then make it be open about it being so, rather than trying to hide it
Also, hopefully the ripping off of people from certain countries over other countries would also go - I cannot see any justification for ripping those originating in the US more than those in the UK get ripped off