Qantas now charging fuel surcharges for AA awards

[MEL_Traveller]

Maybe the title should have had a question mark after it... but...

Don't know if this is new, or a glitch, but QFFF now seems to be adding fuel surcharges for AA awards. Tried on a couple of routes - USA to Europe and USA to Japan. In addition to the standard $5.60 I've been used to in the past, there is now a 'carrier' surcharge (USD175 TATL and USD129 TPAC). This is replicated by BA's Exec Club.

AA issued awards still at $5.60.

Same surcharge for both economy and business class.

I googled to check whether AA was now imposing fuel but couldn't find anything.

 

[I love to travel]

Was the same when in booked a few months ago.

 

[Limewood]

Poor Qantas just not making enough

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm just not sure what I missed in terms of the announcement of this? Most major websites/blogs are still saying no fuel surcharges for AA awards. And Qantas says they are 'carrier charges'. But I can't seem to find out where AA is now charging fuel.

 

[serfty]

When booking online (at least ex Oz), you can get a breakdown at the initial quote. Here's the breakdown for a flight SYD-LAX on AA72 in Economy.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So not charging it on the Australia route.

I only checked USA to Europe and Japan. Don’t know if they levy it for China etc.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Interesting for the TATL awards QF doesn't give a 'price breakdown' like the one Serfty posted. There's just a total price and an '*' which reads:

* The card payment amount comprises taxes, fees and USD $175.00 for carrier charges that you must pay, in addition to the points required for the Classic Reward. This amount excludes any local airport fees collected at the time of check-in, which you must pay.

 

[Pleb Status]

USA to Europe AA awards have always had some level of surcharge applied as long as I can remember.

The total surcharges/taxes are lower on AA awards than BA awards however (on JFK-LHR for example).

 

[Pleb Status]

Interesting for the TATL awards QF doesn't give a 'price breakdown' like the one Serfty posted. There's just a total price and an '*' which reads:

* The card payment amount comprises taxes, fees and USD $175.00 for carrier charges that you must pay, in addition to the points required for the Classic Reward. This amount excludes any local airport fees collected at the time of check-in, which you must pay.

You need to go to the next page and click on the drop down box.

An example of an AA Y award LHR-JFK...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

USA to Europe AA awards have always had some level of surcharge applied as long as I can remember.

The total surcharges/taxes are lower on AA awards than BA awards however (on JFK-LHR for example).

My ticket from August last year is just $5.60, as was always the way. Something has changed since then.

Either AA is levying the cahrge for partner airlines, in which case QF is passing that on. Or QF has come up with these independently.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You need to go to the next page and click on the drop down box.

An example of an AA Y award LHR-JFK...

View attachment 152529

Yeah. That box isn't there for travel originating in the USA (redirected to QF USA site)

Just gives a total price - miles required, miles remaining, and the total card payment. The only indicator is the asterix.

 

[Pleb Status]

Yeah. That box isn't there for travel originating in the USA (redirected to QF USA site)

Just gives a total price - miles required, miles remaining, and the total card payment. The only indicator is the asterix.

Interesting. I have not noticed that before (but rarely book ex US).

QF must be able to get away with hiding the tax/surcharge breakdown using local US laws.

My ticket from August last year is just $5.60, as was always the way. Something has changed since then.

Either AA is levying the cahrge for partner airlines, in which case QF is passing that on. Or QF has come up with these independently.

QF are just making up the carrier surcharges on AA (and CX).... we can agree on that!

 

[JohnK]

It wouldn't be like Qantas to levy surcharges like these on awards would it? They've managed to get away with it ex-HKG for a number of years.

 

[timbervolt]

Have you seen this thread started in 2016:
Qantas Award Charges Outrageous

and Matt's article, The Great Qantas Frequent Flyer Rip-Off

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Have you seen this thread started in 2016:
Qantas Award Charges Outrageous

and Matt's article, The Great Qantas Frequent Flyer Rip-Off

Yes. But this those refer to QF charges for flights on QF flights, and passing on fuel surcharges for flights on other airlines who also have fuel surcharges.

My issue is a case of QF seemingly imposing a fuel surcharge for on an airline (AA) that doesn't impose any surcharges except in very limited circumstances (BA awards issued through AA being one rare example).

Most AA awards cost about USD5.60. Not sure how QF is charging for AA fuel?

 

[Isochronous]

It wouldn't be like Qantas to levy surcharges like these on awards would it? They've managed to get away with it ex-HKG for a number of years.

Were they charging fuel surcharge ex-HKG when it wasn't permitted by HK law?

 

[JohnK]

Were they charging fuel surcharge ex-HKG when it wasn't permitted by HK law?

I think they were.

 

[timbervolt]

Yes. But this those refer to QF charges for flights on QF flights, and passing on fuel surcharges for flights on other airlines who also have fuel surcharges.

My issue is a case of QF seemingly imposing a fuel surcharge for on an airline (AA) that doesn't impose any surcharges except in very limited circumstances (BA awards issued through AA being one rare example).

Most AA awards cost about USD5.60. Not sure how QF is charging for AA fuel?

Oh I see. thanks for clarifying.

 

[madrooster]

My issue is a case of QF seemingly imposing a fuel surcharge for on an airline (AA) that doesn't impose any surcharges except in very limited circumstances (BA awards issued through AA being one rare example).

AA levy a fuel surcharge in many markets where it's not an AA ticketed award. It's actually fairly common.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

AA levy a fuel surcharge in many markets where it's not an AA ticketed award. It's actually fairly common.

Thanks Madrooster. Do you know where I can find any infomration about this?