Booking flights from the Uk via US/Aussie Expedia Sites

markccfc

Sam_Bee wrote: »

I'd also love to know how Expedia Australia can offer it for £201, considering that airport tax on a direct flight to LA hovers around £300.

I'm not sure if it's rip-off Britain, or ripping off the tax man!

In fact, it's not rip off Britain, i've made my mind up. It's somehow getting out of paying something legitimate (which i'm not saying is a good or a bad thing!), but i'd like you to show the information (airlines, times, breakdown of costs etc) to see if I can work it out better.

I just went back to Expedia.com.au to check the dates again :-

London - Los Angeles
27th Nov - 4th Dec

They're now showing Northwest flight changing in Detroit out from London Heathrow at 8.45am, Air France direct back at 20.50pm for $370.20 - which according to XE Currency Converter is just over £180 !

The flight i booked which is 8.00am London City to Amsterdam out and Air France 20.50pm direct back is still $412 (£201).

Sam_Bee

markccfc wrote: »

I just went back to Expedia.com.au to check the dates again :-

London - Los Angeles
27th Nov - 4th Dec

They're now showing Northwest flight changing in Detroit out from London Heathrow at 8.45am, Air France direct back at 20.50pm for $370.20 - which according to XE Currency Converter is just over £180 !

The flight i booked which is 8.00am London City to Amsterdam out and Air France 20.50pm direct back is still $412 (£201).

Only got the $412 one now. But yes, all seems correct.

The only thing I will say is that it states taxes & charges are £100. They are not! They are £300. However, on this route all taxes and charges are pre-paid, and they shouldn't chase you. I look forward to hearing if it all goes well for you! When do you fly?

Sam_Bee

Oh. New Orleans for £240 inc tax. I'd have booked it if I didn't have to fly Northwest Airlines, braking a lifetimes promise I made last time I flew them which took me 47 hours to get back from New Orleans.

It is all Air France, Northwest, KLM flights, so i'm thinking it's more of a glitch, and urge those of a carefree and irresponsible nature to jump on board the gravy train!*

*I take no responsibility, you're all adults!

sturll

Any flight originating in the UK but routed via Amsterdam and sold through a US site on a KL ticket (KLM/AF/NW) does not incur the standard taxes and charges. That is why it is cheaper.

Sam_Bee

sturll wrote: »

Any flight originating in the UK but routed via Amsterdam and sold through a US site on a KL ticket (KLM/AF/NW) does not incur the standard taxes and charges. That is why it is cheaper.

I'm really interested in this, and still think it's a glitch.

This flight will incur the same standard taxes no matter where it is bought. Departure, transit, arrival taxes are fixed, and it's irrelevant where the ticket is bought.

The only flexibility would be on 'fuel surcharges, insurances surcharges' and others levied by the airlines, although this would be the first case of them being varied. Fuel Surcharges are set in the currency of the airlines country (or US$) and converted locally. And to date are not varied depending where you buy the ticket.

But a quick scan sees that the cheap flights don't exist today. If anyone can find an AUS$412 fare from the UK and post the date & route, i'll tell you exactly what the discrepency is.

sturll

Sam_Bee wrote: »

I'm really interested in this, and still think it's a glitch.

This flight will incur the same standard taxes no matter where it is bought. Departure, transit, arrival taxes are fixed, and it's irrelevant where the ticket is bought.

The only flexibility would be on 'fuel surcharges, insurances surcharges' and others levied by the airlines, although this would be the first case of them being varied. Fuel Surcharges are set in the currency of the airlines country (or US$) and converted locally. And to date are not varied depending where you buy the ticket.

But a quick scan sees that the cheap flights don't exist today. If anyone can find an AUS$412 fare from the UK and post the date & route, i'll tell you exactly what the discrepency is.

Ill give you an example - you are right btw it is the fuel surcharges and insurance.

Ok, Expedia.co.uk

Manchester - Atlanta - Aug 31 - Spet 18 1 Adult = £378.18 (with NW & KLM)

Orbitz.com (US site)

Exact same flights and details $568 or £285 (xe.com)


Now, you will notice that both websites route the flights through Amsterdam and NW is part of the KL ticket, the applicable airlines are North West, KLM and Air France.
Orbitz is a US site and Expedia is UK.

Do you see what i mean now?

evilpikachu2000

I e-mailed expedia.com.au asking about whether i will incur extra taxes if im a british national, based in the uk and leaving from london if i book with them, they sent the following:

Our airfares include all taxes and service fees. You will not have to
pay anything at the airport.

If you need any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us
on 1300 397 3342 for international calls +61 3 8330 4360

Sam_Bee

sturll wrote: »

Now, you will notice that both websites route the flights through Amsterdam and NW is part of the KL ticket, the applicable airlines are North West, KLM and Air France.
Orbitz is a US site and Expedia is UK.

Do you see what i mean now?

Yep - I get what you mean, and saw it myself.

However, what I was saying is that it shouldn't be so. There is no official reducation on surcharges if you book these flights abroad = therefore a mistake and / or glitch.

It seemed specific to US flights, as it doesn't appear when you look at say, KLM flights to Bangkok from London (unless you can show me otherwise).

Sam_Bee

evilpikachu2000 wrote: »

I e-mailed expedia.com.au asking about whether i will incur extra taxes if im a british national, based in the uk and leaving from london if i book with them, they sent the following:

Our airfares include all taxes and service fees. You will not have to
pay anything at the airport.

If you need any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us
on 1300 397 3342 for international calls +61 3 8330 4360

Good. I hope you've booked it???

evilpikachu2000

will be booking it in the next couple of days, have to wait until pay day!