How is this reasonable?
Jan 2, 2011 | 2:41 pm
#1
Original Poster
Ambassador: Thai Airways
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Bangkok
Programs: TG Gold, LT Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 1,050
How is this reasonable?
Almost redeemed IAH-AMS & FCO-AMS-IAH for Aug using 100K miles on Flying Blue (Biz class), but saw that taxes & fees are around $550, so I decided to check with Skymiles, use the same amount of miles, and total taxes & fees is only $60. I can understand 100-200 difference since FB is notorious about fuel surcharges, but 490 is absolutely unreasonable.
Also, ended up adding AMS-ZHR and ZHR-FCO without using any additional miles. This one Flying Blue can't do (at least not online).
Also, ended up adding AMS-ZHR and ZHR-FCO without using any additional miles. This one Flying Blue can't do (at least not online).
Last edited by kiam; Jan 4, 2011 at 8:48 am
Jan 2, 2011 | 9:35 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: |QF LTG|DL Gold|
Posts: 1,785
I think it has to do with the fact that for US carriers fuel is charged as part of the ticket price (and therefore included in the redemption) while non-US carriers can include the fuel surcharges separately.
If you think $550 is unreasonable, try booking a redemption on Virgin Atlantic. In mid-2009 when fares were really low, I tried booking JFK-LHR-JFK in economy using Virgin Atlantic points, and the fees and taxes ended up being almost the same price as paying outright for an economy fare.
If you think $550 is unreasonable, try booking a redemption on Virgin Atlantic. In mid-2009 when fares were really low, I tried booking JFK-LHR-JFK in economy using Virgin Atlantic points, and the fees and taxes ended up being almost the same price as paying outright for an economy fare.
Jan 3, 2011 | 3:20 am
#3
Moderator, SkyTeam and Germany
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: FRA/STR/NUE
Programs: BA, LH, KL, EY, IHG, Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, Radisson, H Rewards
Posts: 5,965
This is really becoming ugly. IMO all those surcharges make it unprofitable to book eco awards. It's a bit better for biz awards.
It's a big devaluation of our miles that we cannot use them in a profitable way to book eco awards anymore.
Problem is the same everywhere. I just booked an award on LH FRA-JFK/YUL-ZRH-FRA and it came to a whopping 375 Euro surcharge.
It's a big devaluation of our miles that we cannot use them in a profitable way to book eco awards anymore.
Problem is the same everywhere. I just booked an award on LH FRA-JFK/YUL-ZRH-FRA and it came to a whopping 375 Euro surcharge.
Jan 3, 2011 | 11:51 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: BOS
Programs: UA Premier 1K, DL Platinum Medallion, AF Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 592
Well, as I pointed out in another thread, there are some options like US-domestic if you want to avoid paying taxes: SFO-JFK for 12500 miles and 1.90EUR of taxes (actual ticket for the same flight in T fare is about 120EUR).
Jan 4, 2011 | 8:49 am
#7
Original Poster
Ambassador: Thai Airways
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Bangkok
Programs: TG Gold, LT Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 1,050
I am never convinced redeeming F award on AF is worth it considering their recent increase in mlieage requirement. Are you using AF miles or which program?
For KE F award seat, I recommend you call an agent to book that.
For KE F award seat, I recommend you call an agent to book that.