by Web Business Solutions Ltd
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Tickets and Fares
The price of any journey by air is based on a range of factors. Different airlines charge different prices for the same trip. And an individual airline will charge different amounts for what appears to be an identical product. For example, the price will usually be different according to how far in advance you book, and you will usually pay more if you want to be able to change your reservation if you need to. Peak hour flights are always more expensive: many routes are also seasonal, with fares varying considerably at different times of the year.
But whatever the time of year or day or the conditions of a ticket, airlines are for the most part free to decide for themselves how much they charge. Government does not generally regulate prices.
Fare Restrictions
Many airfares are sold on a use-it-or-lose-it basis. You cannot get your money back if you do not fly. And you may not be able to change to a different flight, even for a fee. But many airlines do allow changes to a new flight, subject to an administration charge and payment of any increase in the price of fare since the original booking (but if the fare has gone down you do not get any money back). Most airlines won’t let you transfer your reservation to another person, though some will (again, for a fee) – check with your airline.
Full flexibility (to be able to change to different flights or get a refund) comes at a price that is considerably higher than the low fares that airlines tend to feature in their advertising. Many airlines offer a range of fares with varying degrees of flexibility or penalties for changing the reservation. Some airlines, however, change an administration fee to refund even fully flexible tickets.
Taxes, Fees and Charges
Some airlines list certain taxes and other charges on their confirmations and tickets. The taxes, fees and charges (TFCs) quoted by airlines on their websites during the booking process include items such as Air Passenger Duty, local airport or ticket taxes, passenger service charges (paid to the airport operator), as well as fuel, security, insurance, and even wheelchair, surcharges. There can be considerable discrepancies in the level of taxes, fees and charges imposed by airlines operating similar or identical routes.
Many airlines will refund TFCs if you do not use your ticket – even if your ticket is otherwise non-refundable. But there is no law under which they are required to refund these charges (for example, the law that brought in the UK’s Air Passenger Duty does not deal with the issue of refunds when a passenger does not use their ticket). Nor is there any law that prevents an airline from charging an administration charge for processing the refund. In any event, airlines rarely voluntarily refund taxes, fees and charges to passengers who do not travel. You have to ask.
Airlines often reserve the right to ask you to pay for any increases in the amount of TFCs, even after you have bought your ticket. But if the amount of TFCs decreases once you have bought your ticket you should ask for a refund. We have published a number of reports on TFCs.
Supplemental charges
Avoidable charges
Many airlines now charge for services that were previously included as part of the fare. These are mostly avoidable charges, and it is a good idea to be aware of them, as it may help you to save money. Charges may include:
- Baggage charges
Many airlines have introduced charges to carry checked-in baggage. You will probably pay less if you pay at the time you book.
- Special types of baggage
You will often be charged to carry special types of checked-in baggage, such as sports equipment or musical instruments (please read the advice on Limited Release Tags on our Baggage Problems advice page)
- Priority boarding
Airlines that do not allocate seat reservations may give you the option of boarding sooner than other passengers for a fee, although they may not specify how much sooner you get to board. You may find that this service has already been selected for you, so if you don’t want it, you might have to remove it yourself.
Credit and debit card fees
Many airlines now charge credit and debit card fees on bookings. These can vary between airlines. They can be a percentage of the transaction or a set amount per passenger or per flight. Credit card fees are usually significantly higher than debit card fees. And some airlines that charge for using a credit card do not charge for using a debit card whilst other airlines charge for both credit and debit cards but not for a prepaid card such as an "electron card". But remember that using your credit card may provide you with protection against airline bankruptcy that you would not get with a debit card (see our advice pages on financial protection).
Hidden Charges
Airlines also increasingly apply “hidden” charges which passengers are unaware of until after they have made a booking. This is often because notices about the charges are hidden in the small print. Examples of such charges are:
- Charges to use gift vouchers
Airlines are increasingly offering gift vouchers to be given as presents. But the recipients of these gifts often end up paying a charge to use the vouchers. For example vouchers may only be redeemable by telephone, where passengers often have to pay a booking fee.
- Administration fees
Most airlines ask passengers to pay charges to carry out various administrative processes. These can include fees for changing reservations (often in addition to any increase in fare), and for refunding tickets.
- Phone charges
Airline telephone numbers are often national rate or premium rate. It may therefore cost you extra to make a telephone reservation, to sort out a problem with an internet booking, or to call customer relations if you have a complaint. We would rather this were not the case, but you can instead write to airlines or contact them via their website for free.
More Consumer Information
Baggage Cancellation Check-in, security and departure Delay Denied Boarding including overbooking Downgrading Financial protection In-flight services Missed connections ABTA CAA AITO ATOL Passports, Visas and Photo ID Schedule changes Tickets and fares How to complain Travel Insurance Airport Parking Travel Money Your Ideal Holiday Legal Process for Complaints Hand Luggage Luggage Allowance
