London Calling - US e-newsletter

[preiffer]

Not sure how, but I've just received the US e-newsletter from Flying Club.

Quite funny to read (as a Brit):

"What ho* my dear Paul,

A very big welcome to the first ever London Calling. We aim to tantalize your taste buds with this bimonthly guide to all that's happening across the Atlantic. Below you'll find suggestions of places to go and things to do. You'll also find useful tips on what's hot, why it's wise to carry a brolly (umbrella) and the truth about trousers (pants). Plus, of course, we'll be delivering tempting treats which we hope will inspire you to book that trip to England's historic capital.

But look at that - it's tea time, so we really must be off to put the kettle on.

Toodlepip,

Your London Calling Team

* Do not be alarmed. Although it may sound like a consumer guide to womenfolk for gangster rap types, this is actually a quaint English greeting."

They also seem to have included handy hints for our American friends:

"In England, pants are not pants, they're trousers. Don't make the mistake of thinking pants don't exist, though, because, to confuse matters further, pants in England are what you wear under your trousers."

On top of all the offers/promos listed, they also have a fare sale Ex-US: (All prices are + $140 tax)

From : >> Price: >> Travel Dates
Boston $239* Sep1-Oct26
Las Vegas $364* Sep2-Oct29
Los Angeles $299* Sep1-Oct26
Miami $289* Sep5-Sep30
Nassau $433* Sep15-Dec31
New York $229* Sep1-Oct26
Orlando $289* Sep7-Sep30
San Francisco $299* Sep1-Oct26
Washington DC $274* Sep2-Oct29

Okay, now this is just damn peculiar, why did I get one? I'm not even a member of the Flying Club! And I don't subscribe to their offers either! [:0]

Golly Gosh! What top hole marketing. Those VS marketing chappies deseve a medal.

What Oh!

99

Originally posted by preiffer
On top of all the offers/promos listed, they also have a fare sale Ex-US: (All prices are + $140 tax)

How is it that the US pay $140 per roundtrip and we in the UK have to pay £113.90 according to the website today (which is nearly $200)?

Paul

Originally posted by p17blo

Originally posted by preiffer
On top of all the offers/promos listed, they also have a fare sale Ex-US: (All prices are + $140 tax)

How is it that the US pay $140 per roundtrip and we in the UK have to pay £113.90 according to the website today (which is nearly $200)?

Paul

I've noticed that myself, the prices are always more expensive for a round trip from England than to England. But I think the main reason is that, VS (and pretty much every other company) doesn't adjust their prices in every country to reflect the exchange rate with those countries.

Yes the tax situ is interesting - you'd think that this is a fixed cost (departure tax, airport charges and fuel surchages) so it would be the same-ish wherever. The difference between $140 and $200 is more than just exchange rate fluctuation, it implies either different schemes or preferential pricing.

These things always remind me of train tickets, used to be the case that you would book say London-Manchester-London in London and pay more than if you booked it in Manchester ... people do try it on!

[preiffer]

Well, here's SOME of the mystery exploded - taxes for BOS>LON (with US ticketing) against LON>BOS (with UK ticketing) broken down below:

US Ticket, BOS - LON (21/Aug, Code: Q/X)

Fare (A1): VS BOSLON Q fare NUC 384.00
Fare (A2): VS LONBOS X fare NUC 349.00
Tax: US September 11th Security Fee $2.50
Tax: US Passenger Facility Charge $3.00
Tax: US International Departure Tax $14.10
Tax: US International Arrival Tax $14.10
Tax: Virgin Atlantic Airways YQ Surcharge $90.00
Tax: United Kingdom Passenger Service Charge £11.90
Tax: United Kingdom Air Passengers Duty £20.00
Tax: US Customs Fee $5.00
Tax: US Immigration Fee $7.00
Tax: USDA APHIS Fee $4.95
Total for 1 adult passenger: $929.35
Taxes = $140.65 (to the US), + £31.90 (to the UK)


UK Ticket, LON - BOS (21/Aug, Code: Q/Q)

Fare (A1): VS LONBOS Q fare NUC 449.38
Fare (A2): VS BOSLON Q fare NUC 449.38
Tax: US International Arrival Tax $14.10
Tax: United Kingdom Passenger Service Charge £11.90
Tax: United Kingdom Air Passengers Duty £20.00
Tax: US Customs Fee $5.00
Tax: US Immigration Fee $7.00
Tax: USDA APHIS Fee $4.95
Tax: US September 11th Security Fee $2.50
Tax: US Passenger Facility Charge $3.00
Tax: US International Departure Tax $14.10
Tax: Virgin Atlantic Airways YQ Surcharge £37.00
Total for 1 adult passenger: £589.90
Taxes = $50.65 (to the US), + £68.90 (to the UK)

So on raw fares (assuming an exchange rate of 1.7 at the moment, the Ex-US ticket is charging a total of $263.78 in extra taxes and charges, where the UK is only $167.78. I've checked on other dates, and it's the same story. VA.com are showing a total "taxes/surcharges" line of USD 196.38 (so maybe their internal exchange rate is set a bit lower than my assumed 1.7 (?)

That "YQ" charge is the airline's fuel/insurance/discretionary charge - seems they charge $90 in the US and only £37 here... [:0]

But this doesn't answer one critical question. On a round trip say LON>BOS>LON, You actually take part in exactly the same flights as if you where flying BOS>LON>BOS, just in a different order, so the taxes should be exactly the same.

I can understand why the taxes would be different on a one way fare but not on a round trip.

I think there is some good old fashioned 'fleecing' going on here.

Paul