airfare fuel surcharges
 

We are currently booked with qantas vacations for Austrailia in July and August for 2 weeks. we just received word from them that there would be an additional cost of $138.00 per person for a fuel charge. We are a family of 4 and it's not that much more money but it is a few dinners out or an excursion. They are encouraging us to pay for our airfare now by thursday to avoid these additional charges. Does anybody know if these are real charges or is this a way to get their money sooner. Our package is not due and payable until the beginningof July. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Karen

That sounds like a lot of money for a fuel surcharge. But like any vacation booked - air, land, tours, etc. - until paid, no prices are firm.

I recall two years ago, a "down under" tour operator friend of mine was busy updating (increasing) prices for prospective clients who only had deposits with them. I believe, in this case, it was currency fluctuation. So these things happen.

If you want to chance being billed this amount or some other, then wait. Otherwise, I'd pay now, and be sure to purchase trip insurance within 7-14 days of making your payment to cover for any unforseen circumstances. You can find information regarding trip insurance - cost of trip, interruption, flight delays, baggage delays/lost, medical, evacuation, etc. - check out:

www.insuremytrip.com

Read the details... all the small print when making a decision which company to purchase from.

Then, the decision is yours.

I have heard in the media a fuel surcharge will apply to airfares soon due to the escalation of fuel prices. Virgin Blue is the same encouraging people to buy now.

However in this press article is doesn't seem $138.00 each is correct.

http://tinyurl.com/ca8mc

The fuel surcharges are usually charged per sector with a higher surcharge for international and longer domestic legs, so I guess the $138 comes from adding up all of the legs you're flying.

I just booked our tickets for November to Australia and my TA told me the surcharge went into effect today. (not sure how much the actual surcharge was, I didn't ask her). In the meantime, it's a trend that is going on with all the airlines so imagine it will continue.

Hi Danielle,

As with all airfare, the rate is NEVER guaranteed until it's actually ticketed. It's always subject to change.

The airlines can have some very attractive rates advertised, and then the "taxes" kick in, which have been increasing to the point of being ridiculous. A marketing ploy -- make the airfare cheap and then make it up somewhere else!

Fuel surcharge is a different tax of course, but the cost of fuel is something that's going up.

Be glad Qantas Vacations gave you a "heads up" -- and be glad it's Qantas -- the other airlines aren't so forthcoming with this! Last year I had to do the same thing -- I had 4 days notice to advise clients of the increase, so they could pay for their air tickets and avoid it.

Just imagine the "flurry" of activity in the air ticketing department when suddenly they have to get everyone's tickets issued by a deadline!

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

My travel agent called me yesterday about this too. She said I had until the 26th to pay in full to avoid the surchage. BTW, I am booked on all AirNZ and the TA said that United, AirNZ and Qantas are all adding them now.

Hi. I live in Sydney and my husband is a travel agent here.

Yes, unfortunately the fuel surcharges are going up quite substantially.

I think it's the airlines' way of getting more money for tickets while still being able to advertise them at lower prices, because they tack the surcharge on at the end, with other taxes and airport charges.

Wish I could tell you it was a hoax, but it's for real, and it's ridiculous!

Sorry you get stuck paying more... if you can pay earlier and get away without paying them, go for it!

Hi benderbabe - we will be in Australia in November and are looking at RT fares up to Mackay from Melbourne - around $600 AUD per person on Virgin Blue. Should we take these fares or hope for better? Will more fuel surcharges negate any potential future savings? Thanks