Getting the Air Passenger Duty refunded
Aug 3, 2015, 9:47 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SJC
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Getting the Air Passenger Duty refunded
I am planning a trip to France, with a quick stop in India for mileage running purposes. My trip is:
ORD-LHR-BLR-LHR (1)
LHR-CDG (2)
---Les Vacances---
CDG-LHR (2)
LHR-ORD (1)
In order to save the most money, I have to split the itineraries, denoted above by the (1) and (2). The issue is that since my itinerary (1) "ends and originates" in the UK, BA charges the APD (My segment from LHR-CDG would be the same day as the flight in from BLR).
According to Wikipedia, "The duty is not payable by inbound international passengers who are booked to continue their journey (to an international destination) within 24 hours of their scheduled time of arrival in the UK." So is there a way I can claim a refund for this tax?
ORD-LHR-BLR-LHR (1)
LHR-CDG (2)
---Les Vacances---
CDG-LHR (2)
LHR-ORD (1)
In order to save the most money, I have to split the itineraries, denoted above by the (1) and (2). The issue is that since my itinerary (1) "ends and originates" in the UK, BA charges the APD (My segment from LHR-CDG would be the same day as the flight in from BLR).
According to Wikipedia, "The duty is not payable by inbound international passengers who are booked to continue their journey (to an international destination) within 24 hours of their scheduled time of arrival in the UK." So is there a way I can claim a refund for this tax?
Aug 3, 2015, 10:39 am
#3
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
I've never heard of anyone getting it refunded, so I'd toss out that idea. The official rules on when it shouldn't be charged for connections on different tickets are below (my emphasis added):
You can find the full rules here. If you wanted to pursue this you should call the carrier assessing the APD, explain the situation, and ask if there's a way they can add a reference to your other itinerary to their systems and in so doing cause the APD not to be charged. I'd say it's a long shot, but worth the ask.
The connected flights must be detailed on the same ticket or conjunction tickets to qualify for the exemption. Tickets can only be regarded as conjunction tickets if:
a. they are in one booklet, or
b. where they are in separate booklets:
Although the flights may meet all the other criteria for determining whether 2 flights are connected, they will only qualify for the exemption if the connection is evidenced on the ticket or a flight summary.
a. they are in one booklet, or
b. where they are in separate booklets:
- each refers to the other and states that they are to be read in conjunction
- there is a summary of the flights constituting the passengers journey including the flights in question
Although the flights may meet all the other criteria for determining whether 2 flights are connected, they will only qualify for the exemption if the connection is evidenced on the ticket or a flight summary.
Aug 3, 2015, 10:41 am
#4
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,167
The APD rules are a little more complicated than the wiki page makes out.
Just because your onward flight is within the time period they are not automatically connected so that would mean APD didn't apply. You might regard them as being the same trip but HMRC and airline won't
Read the HMRC Regulations
And especially 4.4 and the reference to conjunction tickets.
Just because your onward flight is within the time period they are not automatically connected so that would mean APD didn't apply. You might regard them as being the same trip but HMRC and airline won't
Read the HMRC Regulations
And especially 4.4 and the reference to conjunction tickets.
Aug 3, 2015, 10:49 am
#5
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
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Posts: 9,765
Aug 4, 2015, 1:16 am
#11
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Posts: 9,765
Aug 11, 2015, 11:32 pm
#12
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
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Posts: 62,948
I've done it by contacting the appropriate airlines. E.g.
I was arriving from the USA on AA, overnighting and going onward with Icelandair, and returning on Icelandair, overnighting and departing on American back to the USA (on separate tickets).
I was able to get agents to waive the APD once they had full details, including ticket numbers. I also offered a PDF or faxed TripIt itinerary reflecting it all.
I'm not saying this is the norm, or that it's very easy; I am saying I did this last year.
I was arriving from the USA on AA, overnighting and going onward with Icelandair, and returning on Icelandair, overnighting and departing on American back to the USA (on separate tickets).
I was able to get agents to waive the APD once they had full details, including ticket numbers. I also offered a PDF or faxed TripIt itinerary reflecting it all.
I'm not saying this is the norm, or that it's very easy; I am saying I did this last year.
