Virgin Surcharges on the rise from tomorrow

Looks like they are following BA. I presume the slight time lag is to pretend that there is absolutely no copying going on.

It's like being at school and using a different coloured pen in the hope that the teacher won't realise that the words are the same!

I cannot believed that BA and VS have hedged their fuel costs in exactly the same way...

Edited to reflect revenue recepient

[Nottingham Nick]

Do you have a a link to the story, or any further details?

Nick

Was checking my facts!!
---------------
The following increased surcharges are applicable to all VS flight numbers including children and infants and any new bookings created on/after 08 May 2008.
1. For tickets sold in the UK for travel on the following sectors :-

LAX/SFO/LAS/TYO/SHA/SYD/MRU/JNB/CPT/HKG/BJS-LON and v.v
Charge GBP81.50 per sector (up GBP15 per sector)

Otherwise : All other flights
Charge GBP65.50 per sector. (up GBP12.50 per sector (I think!))

As much as the pain's the same, just to be pedantic it isn't a tax, it's a surcharge. Good or bad, taxes go to government, this goes to VS. And given that there is little (no?) tax on aviation fuel, Gordo is off the hook in that respect...

Paul

[mitchja]

Be interesting to see if V Hols pass on this surcharge to me or absorb it for my SFO package in December [?]

According to my invoice I've already been charged £210.10 for 'Fuel apd & resort tax' - that's for PE return flights.

Regards

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by mitchja
Be interesting to see if V Hols pass on this surcharge to me or absorb it for my SFO package in December [?]

According to my invoice I've already been charged £210.10 for 'Fuel apd & resort tax' - that's for PE return flights.

Regards

If its above 2% increase, then they can come back to the customer and ask for the difference.

Richard is correct, and I think the upper limit is 10%. I was wondering what your rights are about cancellation if they did that. i.e You have a £4K holiday and they ask for another £400.

Originally posted by ukcobra
Richard is correct, and I think the upper limit is 10%. I was wondering what your rights are about cancellation if they did that. i.e You have a £4K holiday and they ask for another £400.

According to this article in the Times you have no cancellation rights (beyond those you have anyway). Interesting that the headline is about the fuel surcharge yet the article suggests its actually more (so far) to do with the value of the euro for the companies it mentions.

Paul

Quick question.

If the surcharge increase is because of the increasing cost of oil and the strength of the Euro. Will the surcharge decrease if oil prices drop and the Euro weakens? [:?]

Me thinks it won't.[n]

Just for clarification....I've booked (and paid for) flights to JNB in June. Can/will VS come after me for the surcharge or am I ok as I booked and paid before 8 May?

[preiffer]

No, you're fine if you'd paid VS in full.

They're not doing a Gordon Brown (dictionary reference: 'ar$ehole') move on people like with APD and the backdating that was done there. It'll only be for new/unpaid bookings.

Besides, VH *may* well just absorb it - yet to be seen.

[mitchja]

I'll keep an eye on my booking to see if anything does change. So far no change, although it's probably too early yet anyway.

Regards

[preiffer]

Just one thing - if someone has to re-fare directly with VS (ie: go from Q/X > L for an upgrade, or K > S for the same, D > J for flexibility, etc) then it's *likely* that they will introduce the increased surcharge as part of the re-faring exercise, I believe.

Originally posted by mitchja
I'll keep an eye on my booking to see if anything does change. So far no change, although it's probably too early yet anyway.

I believe they can apply to levy 'late notice fees' at any time up to 30 days before departure.

Paul

preiffer
You are very correct, if they have to re-issue the ticket in the higher class then they will charge you the difference of any surcharges.
I had someone who was changing their return date and they were charged the £50 date change fee and then almost as much again in the tax increases one way.

I am now seriously thinking of how to use any mileage as was thinking about a quick trip to some sun for a week but it's worth even less and less for an economy ticket. It has to be all about the upgrades so will save for a bit more and upgrade to UC for a flight I think. Even if I can't afford a hotel when I arrive, UC will be a holiday in itself!

Originally posted by eejp1007
preiffer
You are very correct, if they have to re-issue the ticket in the higher class then they will charge you the difference of any surcharges.
I had someone who was changing their return date and they were charged the £50 date change fee and then almost as much again in the tax increases one way.

I am now seriously thinking of how to use any mileage as was thinking about a quick trip to some sun for a week but it's worth even less and less for an economy ticket. It has to be all about the upgrades so will save for a bit more and upgrade to UC for a flight I think. Even if I can't afford a hotel when I arrive, UC will be a holiday in itself!

Was thinking of the same thing, at the moment, it's seems better to pay the extra for a Y ticket and collect the additional miles.

Good article on the whole fuel surcharge debate today in the Daily Telegraph. Makes for an interesting read and the very variable surcharges....

Link to Daily Telegraph













Edit by mod to shorten link......... Nick

Originally posted by eejp1007
Looks like they are following BA. I presume the slight time lag is to pretend that there is absolutely no copying going on.

It's like being at school and using a different coloured pen in the hope that the teacher won't realise that the words are the same!

I cannot believed that BA and VS have hedged their fuel costs in exactly the same way...

There is nothing wrong with VA copying BA on surcharges provided that it is done without collusion between them. BA took the initiative at the risk that VA and other competitors might respond with a lower surcharge or none at all. But the most predictable response is to copy; VA need these fuel surcharges at least as much as BA do, but the need to be competitive inhibits them from going higher.

If there were collusion, then you can be sure that the surcharges would be higher than otherwise.

[Darren Wheeler]

Originally posted by pkatmk

If there were collusion, then you can be sure that the surcharges would be higher than otherwise.

Very much doubt it. BA won't want VS bubbling them up again.

Why are none of the amercian airlines charging fuels surcharges?

[Darren Wheeler]

I think that's because the fuel costs internal to the US are much lower. Just look how much lower petrol is!

Originally posted by musicmanbrain
Why are none of the amercian airlines charging fuels surcharges?

American Airlines certainly adds a surchage between the US and UK