Cancellation of non-refundable ticket
 

I took advantage of a $0 fare posted in the MR forum. Turns out I can't use the tickets I bought and will have to walk away from the trip entirely. :( The tickets came out to about $300ai on a non-refundable Q fare.

Since the fare was all taxes and fuel surcharge, no actual base fare, can the penalty still apply? Is it appropriate for airlines to not refund the tax/surcharge portions of a cancelled ticket? I don't think so. One would think that at least the taxes which the airline has collected on others' behalf would be refunded. I'm interested to hear other thoughts and perspective. On the + side, my accommodation is fully refundable.

shuttlerider

I think you need to be more specific what fare you're talking about. I know that I've gotten the taxes refunded a couple of years ago on DL PWM $0 tickets. Not easy, but they finally coughed it up. ;)

I'm wondering if I can, at the very least, get a refund of the taxes and fees. Ticket rules say non-refundable and $200 for any changes.

Fare: $0
Fuel Surcharge: $179
Taxes/Fees: $115.07
Getting a refund on a non-refundable ticket: priceless :D

You should get the taxes back, I have been in the same situation and they refunded the taxes completely.

If they make a comment about needing to take $200 from the fare, remind them the fare was $0 and there is no $200 to take.

Not sure about in the US, but i think in the UK the rule is that they have to give you back the tax if you ask for it, but they do not make it easy for you to do. i.e you might have to specifically request this in writing.

some low cost carriers though (e.g. ryanair) have gone even further and have put an admin charge on refund of taxes. Since the admin charge is higher than the taxes you would get back, there is no point anymore.

A fare from the US with 300$ taxes and charges... uhmmm

Sounds like a european carrier that rips you off with fuel surcharges !

Since there was no recent mistake fare of LH or BA my assumptions are you talk about AF to FCO? ;)

Now especially because they are european they should have to comply with the tax refund ! I dont know about fuel surcharges but usually you get everything back. Thats what I love on my 3$ Lufthansa tickets to ZRH :D

Indeed. AF: NYC-ROM. Booked through Expedia.

I figure I'm out of luck on the $179 fuel surcharge but at least I'll get something back. What's interesting is the fare breakdown from Expedia says "Base fare...$179"
Is it usual for the YQ surcharge to be called base fare?

I bought from AF directly and was considering cancelling. I called AF and they said the policy is they refund the taxes but you are SOL for the fuel surcharge. So we're going!

Sometimes if you purchase tickets on expedia or orbitz the base fare and the taxes/fees are very mixed up !

For example buy a ticket DFW-FRA on aa.com and the fare is 524$+100$ Tax, the same on Orbitz is 398$+220$ tax... strange, but I think is has to do something with the fuel surcharges (not on AA but other airlines).

Just try it, I bet you won't get hit with a fee.

Just recently I canceled what was supposed to be a NON-REF (not even with penalty) fare on UA on a OW from HKG-ORD. Magically when I called, I got all but $25 back in credit on my CC.

Still scratching my head happily @ that one.

I highly doubt you'll get anything back. Considering the nature of your ticket. But nonetheless, doesn't hurt to try.