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£1200 surcharges now showing on BA and Virgin Atlantic redemption flights

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£1200 surcharges now showing on BA and Virgin Atlantic redemption flights

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Old Mar 26, 2024, 11:56 am
  #31  
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC
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If there's one revelation in this thread it's that there's another airline out there that has an app where you can do several searches for redemption seats which appears to work and not randomly crash or error. ​​​​​
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Old Mar 26, 2024, 1:30 pm
  #32  
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
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VS YQ back down to £700
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Old Mar 26, 2024, 1:31 pm
  #33  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
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Excuse my ignorance here. Are these surcharges also charged if upgrading from WT+ to Business? Are they avoided by starting in somewhere like Dublin?
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Old Mar 26, 2024, 3:50 pm
  #34  
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Originally Posted by andymcdonnell
Excuse my ignorance here. Are these surcharges also charged if upgrading from WT+ to Business? Are they avoided by starting in somewhere like Dublin?
On BA, you ONLY get hit with the higher surcharge if upgrading from WTP to Club.

Since Reward Flight Saver was introduced for 100% Avios redemptions on long haul, the YQ surcharge is immaterial because you pay the fixed RFS fee instead.
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Old Mar 26, 2024, 3:54 pm
  #35  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
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Originally Posted by Raffles
On BA, you ONLY get hit with the higher surcharge if upgrading from WTP to Club.

Since Reward Flight Saver was introduced for 100% Avios redemptions on long haul, the YQ surcharge is immaterial because you pay the fixed RFS fee instead.
Assuming you qualify for RFS.
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Old Mar 26, 2024, 9:05 pm
  #36  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SFO
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Posts: 1,178
VS LHR to USA is GBP 625 one way in business. Same as always.

And in reverse it's worse : $997 ex USA (same as always... which I've never understood.. why is ex-USA more than ex-LHR?)

Whereas a retrun LHR-SFO-LHR is "only" GBP 997 ($1200). Which I also don't understand why the total surcharges would be less on a RT.
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Old Mar 26, 2024, 9:14 pm
  #37  
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Personally, rather than why is i higher one way than the other, I cannot understand why there are any surcharges at all - there is no good reason for them
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Old Mar 26, 2024, 9:17 pm
  #38  
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Join Date: Feb 2008
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Originally Posted by stefan_nl
I am based in AMS (so ex-EU by default) and looking to spend my Avios. But when trying to make a dummy booking 9 out of 10 times there is an issue (this flight can't be upgraded online even when searching via the Book and Upgrade feature on the website) and when I do find something the surcharge is prohibitive.

I am wondering what the best way is to use my Avios ex-AMS.
I’d say flying East (look at JAL, CX, QR in particular), or any local travel within the U.S. you might have to do. You may also look at AA flights to the U.S., either transiting in the UK or not. Cheeky short haul trips to London essentially become free as well.

I’ve been similarly “ex-EU” for a while now, and it does feel very different to when you’re based in the UK.
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Old Mar 26, 2024, 9:17 pm
  #39  
 
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Old Mar 27, 2024, 3:49 am
  #40  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
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Originally Posted by Raffles
On BA, you ONLY get hit with the higher surcharge if upgrading from WTP to Club.

Since Reward Flight Saver was introduced for 100% Avios redemptions on long haul, the YQ surcharge is immaterial because you pay the fixed RFS fee instead.
Do you only pay them on an ex UK booking?
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Old Mar 27, 2024, 4:31 am
  #41  
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Join Date: Jan 2011
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Originally Posted by VictorSierra
VS YQ back down to £700
Indeed "Victory? Virgin Atlantic reverses its £200 increase in Upper Class surcharges"
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Old Mar 27, 2024, 5:23 am
  #42  
 
Join Date: May 2012
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Originally Posted by stefan_nl
I am based in AMS (so ex-EU by default) and looking to spend my Avios. But when trying to make a dummy booking 9 out of 10 times there is an issue (this flight can't be upgraded online even when searching via the Book and Upgrade feature on the website) and when I do find something the surcharge is prohibitive.

I am wondering what the best way is to use my Avios ex-AMS.
The sweet spots for Avios redemptions are ever diminishing. I still like to redeem on short European hops where an RFS AMS-LHR can be as low as around 8,250 Avios plus EUR 30. This can be an exceptional redemption at some times and just ok at others. USA domestic redemptions on AA, booking with BA can also be good sometimes, especially when one-way fares are high, but the amount of Avios required for these was very quietly increased lately.

Upgrades from Business to First TATL are also still good value at 20,000-25,000 Avios, if of course you can find availability and an agent who knows how to process it.
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Old Mar 31, 2024, 8:58 am
  #43  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,710
Originally Posted by maxmin
If you really want to see some insanity look at what the surcharges are round trip on VS ex-US in Upper. Given the cash fare was just shy of $3k for this booking you are saving less than $700 with your 95k points. What a bargain. Of course if one really wanted to do this you could book as two one ways and saves yourself some money.

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Old Mar 31, 2024, 12:51 pm
  #44  
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: Executive Club: Gold - Flying Blue: Gold
Posts: 1,382
Originally Posted by Dave Noble
Personally, rather than why is i higher one way than the other, I cannot understand why there are any surcharges at all - there is no good reason for them
I do agree. One should only be paying taxes and airport charges. End of!
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