Foxxster

It's pretty obvious why the airlines do not want this. There are huge numbers of frequent flyer points accumulated in the world's airlines. When you cash in these, all that is covered is the base fare. To get around what would be a significantly higher liability, the made up this special surcharge which is not covered by the frequent flyer points as has to be paid in cash on top of your redeemed points. As you can see from the example you gave, the amount of the fuel surcharge is as much as the base fare so if all points were redeemed for this type of trip then if the fuel surcharge were included in the normal fare price, the cost (liability) to the airline would double. The surcharge on a return trip from Australia to Europe is around $450 - $500 on a $2,000 ticket. So again there would be a big increase in the cost of the frequent flyer program to the airlines if they had to absord that. Or more likely they would simply increase the number of points needed for any given ticket to cover this cost ( and probably add a big margin just for fun). Yes it is a swindle.. There are actually calls in Australia to have the quoted fare include everything. Not have it as just the base fare and then on the final screen have the total cost including everything. (not sure if they are in force yet but i noticed that some of the online booking sites are now doing it). But of course it doesn't affect the frequent flyer situation.

Cream

Lets face it, London Airports don't need to givre a shit lol. Now they are even earning money for them selves!!!!

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buddahas

Yes, but I was checking fuel surcharges to Tokyo, which is like twice the price and distance .....charge is $274... 6 bucks more than to London.

What's the story with that?

It seems to me Airlines are pulling these surcharges out of their ass since fuel surcharges for domestic flights are often included in ticket price.


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Oh, yeah... and WTF is U.K. Air Passenger Duty that's worth 80 bucks???

Slim Chance

Fuel Surcharge is such a load of crap - of course it should be part of the basic fare.

Imagine going to a restaurant and finding a "knife, fork and plate surcharge" on the bill or hiring a car and getting a 'wheels surcharge x 4".

Total bollox by the airlines - what exactly does the 'base fare' get? The right to check in?

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phuketbound

The fuel surcharge price is crazy, but what is this Canada airport Improvement Fee? haha, this is a new one for me.

buddahas

I just read Northwest has the lowest fuel surcharges in North America. Planning to go to Japan so was kinda wondering if anyone has ever flown Northwest.... is it like Air Asia

jimbo

I couldn't get Jum's ticket (Bkk-Seoul[3mos]-Bkk) for under $750.00!!

Every agent blamed it on this.

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cluezo

I have flown nothing but Northwest for over 20 years. Couldn't be happier. It ain't nothing like Air Asia. Shit, Northwest is a major carrier like United.

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KhunDom

I hate airport taxes and fuel surgarge...