Booking.com and VAT

HereForFun

I used Booking.com to book a return flight for two to Germany, flying with Eurowings.

As this was a business trip, I wanted to separate the VAT from the total cost of the flight and airport taxes, as I don't know what part(s) of the fare are VATable, and those that are not.
But Booking.com don't provide VAT receipts, apparently.
The cost of the flights was a little over £400.
So I asked Eurowings for a VAT receipt, which they kindly provided, but I was somewhat surprised they did, because the actual cost of the flight was just over £260.  I appreciate businesses are out there to make money, and I wasn't trying to anything other than clarify the VAT, but this disparity rather annoyed me.
Anyway, main reason I'm posting this is to find out how I can get an acceptable, UK VAT receipt from Booking.com, and wondering if anyone else on here knows how.
In the meantime, I'll be booking my flights flights directly with the airline, because the price was the same and I'd rather give the profits to them.
Thanks

HereForFun

Just in case it's relevant, Booking.com is a UK registered company and appears to be UK VAT registered.

MyRealNameToo

HereForFun said:

I used Booking.com to book a return flight for two to Germany, flying with Eurowings.

As this was a business trip, I wanted to separate the VAT from the total cost of the flight and airport taxes, as I don't know what part(s) of the fare are VATable, and those that are not.
But Booking.com don't provide VAT receipts, apparently.
The cost of the flights was a little over £400.
So I asked Eurowings for a VAT receipt, which they kindly provided, but I was somewhat surprised they did, because the actual cost of the flight was just over £260.  I appreciate businesses are out there to make money, and I wasn't trying to anything other than clarify the VAT, but this disparity rather annoyed me.
Anyway, main reason I'm posting this is to find out how I can get an acceptable, UK VAT receipt from Booking.com, and wondering if anyone else on here knows how.
In the meantime, I'll be booking my flights flights directly with the airline, because the price was the same and I'd rather give the profits to them.
Thanks

Presumably you checked prices before booking? 

I thought flights count as public transport so as long as the plane carries more than 10 people it would be 0% VAT. However, there are other taxes like APD

DE_612183

booking.com have a separate website for Business - so you are paying non-commercial prices, I'd assume that if you use the business site you can get a vat receipt but you may pay more.

You also need to check the t&cs as you are using a social & domestic site there may be things that are not-applicable to your intended use of the site.

HereForFun

I did check the prices before booking, yes, even with a different airline, but the they were within £1 or £2.

OK, I didn't realise flights were 0% VAT, so thank you for that information, and probably the reason a VAT receipt wasn't available.

MyRealNameToo

HereForFun said:

OK, I didn't realise flights were 0% VAT, so thank you for that information, and probably the reason a VAT receipt wasn't available.

All public transport capable of carrying more than 10 passengers is 0% rated. 

I know people get confused but legally they have charged you vat, of £0, and if you are were you VAT registered (or your company is if they bought the ticket) then you would legally be entitled to demand a VAT receipt. 

VAT Exempt things, like insurance or banking doesnt have to give a VAT receipt because its an exempt product rather than a 0%. Some would argue its semantics but its not because if you sell something thats 0% rated you can recover the VAT on your costs to supply the goods/service whereas those dealing with exempt products/services you cannot recover VAT