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Difference in reward surcharge UK vs. US

PostPosted: 25 Feb 2013, 21:46
by mtyrrell
Hi everyone,

I am sure I remember seeing a thread on this a while back, but cannot locate it now and do not remember it being resolved, so apologies if I am duplicating! ii)

When booking an UC return reward flight LHR to JFK, the tax/surcharge fee is GBP 505.55

When booking an UC return reward flight JFK to LHR, the tax/surcharge fee is USD 1,116.70, or GBP 846.42 at today's exchange rate.

Anyone know why US flying club members have to pay a premium 60% higher than UK flying club members?! Seems very unfair to us folk on this side of the pond! :(!

Re: Difference in reward surcharge UK vs. US

PostPosted: 25 Feb 2013, 21:52
by tontybear
You could try posting your question on the VS face book page and see what response you get (but don't hold your breath they tend not to answer difficult questions like yours)

If they so answer it will be something like

"we have different prices for different markets"

but the real reason is

"because we can get away with it"

Re: Difference in reward surcharge UK vs. US

PostPosted: 25 Feb 2013, 21:58
by mtyrrell
Yup - I am sure that is the reason! But if i wanted to push it, does this logic follow:

Different prices for different markets sure, but taxes are fixed amounts, so the difference between the two has to be the fuel surcharge, and if the fuel surcharge is a set amount implemented to account for the higher cost of fuel, how are fuel charges US to UK return more expensive than UK to US return?

Think they could wriggle out of that?! :)

Re: Difference in reward surcharge UK vs. US

PostPosted: 25 Feb 2013, 22:19
by tontybear
Don't confuse them with logic and a rational argument !

Yes the tax is the same - well the UK APD is and I think on US reward bookings the US transport tax doesn't apply , as are I would imagine the airport and other fees - check the fare breakdown.


The last time I saw this raised on the FB page it was by one of our fearless moderators. The VS FB team basically stopped responding to the posts.

Re: Difference in reward surcharge UK vs. US

PostPosted: 25 Feb 2013, 22:44
by mtyrrell
Thanks tontybear!

Re: Difference in reward surcharge UK vs. US

PostPosted: 26 Feb 2013, 08:02
by preiffer
Let's be honest - the second ANYTHING difficult is posted on their FB page, the "team" disappear...
I remember this one being raised - and they tried to bury it. It got raised again, to be met with ignorance instead. v(

Re: Difference in reward surcharge UK vs. US

PostPosted: 26 Feb 2013, 08:15
by northernhenry
It's all part of of the plan.. Dumbing down the value of miles.
Few more options to gain miles to keep people enticed but slowly shifting revenue into "fuel surcharge"

As tony says, they can because... They can...