US Dividend Miles - post your SUCCESSFUL award bookings here.

[anat0l]

It is standard for US to issue multiple booklets that are to be read in conjunction with each other - as indeed is my next booking with them (2 ticket numbers to be read together for a single itinerary).

What routing do you have?

My routing earlier this year had LCY as the destination (i.e. I had to fly out of it for the start of the inbound), but I only had to pay the lowest band of APD (at standard rate), cf. the highest band (where my next stopover was). I believe this was due to the way the coupons were configured.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

What routing do you have?

My routing earlier this year had LCY as the destination (i.e. I had to fly out of it for the start of the inbound), but I only had to pay the lowest band of APD (at standard rate), cf. the highest band (where my next stopover was). I believe this was due to the way the coupons were configured.

not sure about coupons having anything to do with it. the extract from HM revenue is clear - a connecting flight is the flight on the same booked itinerary, wityh tickets linked

 

[anat0l]

not sure about coupons having anything to do with it. the extract from HM revenue is clear - a connecting flight is the flight on the same booked itinerary, wityh tickets linked

Then how do you explain my flying LCY-FRA-ZRH-PEK-AKL, with all transits (i.e. < 24 hours) in between all flights, and yet I paid the lowest band of APD? The simplest logic on HMRC would imply that all of those flights are connected, hence the APD should be charged to the final destination, AKL, viz. the highest band of APD.

Sure, it could be I slipped through the system, but I'd like to know how it happened. That's also why I'd like to know what your routing was that isn't subject to APD (though I suspect if it's a simple short connection via LHR, then that's always a fairly easy case).

In any case, for Voodz, it's probably worth calling back anyway to see what was going on and to see if the APD can be eliminated based on the HMRC rules, and if not then an explanation as to why. On another hand, APD is collected and paid to the UK government by the carrier operating the flight where the APD is charged, so if worst comes to worse, perhaps Voodz can contact UA and give the full ticket details, showing a transit < 24 hours and UA should be sending a refund of the APD due (how this refund will arrive is another issue).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Then how do you explain my flying LCY-FRA-ZRH-PEK-AKL, with all transits (i.e. < 24 hours) in between all flights, and yet I paid the lowest band of APD? The simplest logic on HMRC would imply that all of those flights are connected, hence the APD should be charged to the final destination, AKL, viz. the highest band of APD.

Sure, it could be I slipped through the system, but I'd like to know how it happened. That's also why I'd like to know what your routing was that isn't subject to APD (though I suspect if it's a simple short connection via LHR, then that's always a fairly easy case).

In any case, for Voodz, it's probably worth calling back anyway to see what was going on and to see if the APD can be eliminated based on the HMRC rules, and if not then an explanation as to why. On another hand, APD is collected and paid to the UK government by the carrier operating the flight where the APD is charged, so if worst comes to worse, perhaps Voodz can contact UA and give the full ticket details, showing a transit < 24 hours and UA should be sending a refund of the APD due (how this refund will arrive is another issue).

I suspect it might have been a case of you falling through the cracks. the example of my itinerary was not because it was via the uk, but rather that multiple ticket books can be issued in conjunction with each other, and US is able to do it (in fact for a single itinerary/fare that's how it should be done).

a friend of mine did the London to Frankfurt to Auckland thing with a stop of less than 24 hours. he also escaped the adp even though it should have been paid. this was also via USDM. so it can/does happen. maybe it falls through the crack because of the booking class? I dunno. but certainly it's not to do with the coupons or whether they are in one or more booklets.

 

[anat0l]

I suspect it might have been a case of you falling through the cracks. the example of my itinerary was not because it was via the uk, but rather that multiple ticket books can be issued in conjunction with each other, and US is able to do it (in fact for a single itinerary/fare that's how it should be done).

a friend of mine did the London to Frankfurt to Auckland thing with a stop of less than 24 hours. he also escaped the adp even though it should have been paid. this was also via USDM. so it can/does happen. maybe it falls through the crack because of the booking class? I dunno. but certainly it's not to do with the coupons or whether they are in one or more booklets.

Maybe you're right. But looking over a few dummy itineraries on ITA (including one imitating Voodz's), I'm not seeing APD, but for some reason I'm getting high charge amounts relating to UK Passenger Service Charge (fare construction code UB; cf. the code for APD is marked as GB). Something ranging in the hundreds. Yet, I try some more odd itineraries of lengths, and I can't reproduce the same high UB charges.

I can't find a tax and charges resource online so I can't confirm how the UK PSC (code UB) is calculated.

Mods: feel free to split off as necessary.

 

[Voodz]

I may call them back to clarify, but I may not bother as I will actually stop over night in London and visit my sister. I suspect why I got hit with higher tax fees is the way Dividend Miles issued tickets. I got one ticket on TG, One ticket on MS, and one ticket on UA. However, the connecting flight into LHR is with MS, and the flight out is with UA, which is probably why it has issued the extra tax as a stop, as the ticket itself terminates in London on MS.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I may call them back to clarify, but I may not bother as I will actually stop over night in London and visit my sister. I suspect why I got hit with higher tax fees is the way Dividend Miles issued tickets. I got one ticket on TG, One ticket on MS, and one ticket on UA. However, the connecting flight into LHR is with MS, and the flight out is with UA, which is probably why it has issued the extra tax as a stop, as the ticket itself terminates in London on MS.

what you propose has nothing to do with the issue. If your stopover is less than 24 hours then the tax is not payable, regardless of the number of 'tickets' or connecting carriers or anything else. your ticket does not terminate in London (see my earlier posts).

That being said - LHR-LAX attracts an ADP of GBP162 per passenger which is a hefty charge - so given your overall level of taxes (and number of stops) makes me think it might not be the APD pushing it up. They may be legitimate departure taxes.

 

[Voodz]

what you propose has nothing to do with the issue. If your stopover is less than 24 hours then the tax is not payable, regardless of the number of 'tickets' or connecting carriers or anything else. your ticket does not terminate in London (see my earlier posts).

Yeah understand that, the issue was more around not really caring if I pay a little bit more tax because I still feel I am doing ok, and am getting some value out of the stop over!

 

[serfty]

...

I can't find a tax and charges resource online so I can't confirm how the UK PSC (code UB) is calculated.

Mods: feel free to split off as necessary.

Might split later - for your edification:

HM Revenue &amp; Customs - Air Passenger Duty

 

[Stephen65]

Just booked a simple itinerary MEL-BKK-FRA-BKK-MEL all in Thai J for next June/July, flying on the A380 to and from FRA.

I was able to get four seats on the flights by using the technique of booking the two available J award seats and then waiting for more to appear. In this case two more J seats appeared very quickly.

Cost was 120,000 points plus $245 in taxes and charges each.

 

[NDiddy]

Just booked a simple itinerary MEL-BKK-FRA-BKK-MEL all in Thai J for next June/July, flying on the A380 to and from FRA.

I was able to get four seats on the flights by using the technique of booking the two available J award seats and then waiting for more to appear. In this case two more J seats appeared very quickly.

Good stuff Stephen65 - You'll enjoy the 380 How was availability during the EU summer? Got the dates you wanted or had to find something that worked?

 

[Stephen65]

Lots of availability going over but coming back was a little tighter because we wanted to come back on the last weekend of Australian school holidays. Ended up having to leave a bit earlier and come back a couple of days earlier than would be ideal but still a great deal at the price.

 

[NDiddy]

Lots of availability going over but coming back was a little tighter because we wanted to come back on the last weekend of Australian school holidays. Ended up having to leave a bit earlier and come back a couple of days earlier than would be ideal but still a great deal at the price.

Thanks for the info. Depending on Mrs Diddy's schedule our next redemption should be between July - September and just wanted to know how things were looking at that time. Cheers!

 

[points]

Just booked 2 X F & 2 X J for June/July 2013 MEL-BKK-FRA-ATH//BCN-FRA-BKK-MEL. Shared points so two of us could upgrade to F. This took nearly 72 hrs to appear in our account after putting the itinerary on hold.

 

[Flashback]

Ok, after too much hassle with the US decided on something more simple.

PER-BKK (TG C), BKK-FRA (TG F 773), FRA-PRG (LH C) destination
open-jaw
CDG-BKK (TG F A380), BKK-PER (TG C)

Managed to get the A380 in F, so that should be nice for them.

On hold now, but once the extra 50k miles show up will ticket. Taxes were going to be approximately $190 USD each with the $50 booking fee on top of that. Pretty happy with that.

 

[Alanslegal]

Ok, after too much hassle with the US decided on something more simple.

Ahhh K.I.S.S

 

[Flashback]

Ok, after too much hassle with the US decided on something more simple.

PER-BKK (TG C), BKK-FRA (TG F 773), FRA-PRG (LH C) destination
open-jaw
CDG-BKK (TG F A380), BKK-PER (TG C)

Managed to get the A380 in F, so that should be nice for them.

On hold now, but once the extra 50k miles show up will ticket. Taxes were going to be approximately $190 USD each with the $50 booking fee on top of that. Pretty happy with that.

$190.95 in taxes, $50 booking fee. Easy, booked. I actually quite like the look of the leased Jet Airways 773 with it's mini suites, doors and all. Be interesting to see whether they think that one is better than the new A380 F or not!

 

[travelislife]

As some of you may know I had an itinerary on hold the last couple of days. Ticketed tonight the following for June/July next year for myself and the girlfriend.

TG462 MEL-BKK (J)
TG201 BKK-HKT (J)
Stopover
TG218 HKT-BKK (J)
3hrs 40min layover in the TG F lounge
TG930 BKK-CDG (F A380)
Destination
LH1031 CDG-FRA (J)
TG921 FRA-BKK (F A380)
TG461 BKK-MEL (J)

Very simple booking process with the agent, all very helpful. Approx $180 in taxes per person plus the $50 booking fee so $230 odd all up.

Have emailed the very helpful TG Melbourne office to get seat selections so will see how I go, have asked for 2E, 2F on the A380 but one of those seats always seem to be blocked.

This will be my first time in First Class which should be amazing on their flagship aircraft, now to forget about it for the next 6 months!

 

[NDiddy]

Very nice travelislife. I have almost the same itin except leaving from SYD to get the extra F legs and CDG to BKK is via MUC rather than FRA.

With regards to the seats, we had the same issue when trying to book 2 F suites on the BKK - CDG leg. Called up the Melb office and they were able to allocate them to us. Apparently they are blocked for crew rest.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Have emailed the very helpful TG Melbourne office to get seat selections so will see how I go, have asked for 2E, 2F on the A380 but one of those seats always seem to be blocked.

nice straight forward itinerary.

I find calling for seat selection saves TG staff time. If your seat is not available they can discuss it there and then rather than playing email ping pong. You should also use the call to ask them if they have ticket numbers against the booking.