From a miles and points perspective, the key point in the UK Budget Statement yesterday was not the cut in Bingo Duty to 10%, nor the freezing of cider duty, but a cut in the rate of Air Passenger Duty to certain long-haul destinations.
Except for one flight from Belfast, the current rates of Air Passenger Duty are as follows:
0 – 2,000 miles: Economy £13, Other £26
2,000 – 4,000 miles: Economy £67, Other £134
4,000 – 6,000 miles: Economy £83, Other £166
6,001 miles: Economy £94, Other £188
The distances are NOT based on your flight but the distance from London to the capital city of the country you are visiting. The exact band for each country can be found in Appendix 1 here. In the changes announced yesterday, the two highest bands will be abolished from 1st April 2015. Based on the current figures, which will be adjusted for inflation before April 2015, APD on Economy tickets to anywhere over roughly 8 hours flying time will fall by up to £27 and by up to £54 in Business. The numbers are still crazy, of course. A family of four flying in Economy will still face a tax bill of £268. Any reduction is better than nothing, though. The Chancellor also announced an increase in the Regional Air Connectivity Fund, which either a) wastes your money by paying airlines to operate uneconomic routes or b) encourages airlines to launch new routes at a time of economic hardship, depending on your political leaning!
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About Head for Points
I read the Brazilian government does not allow airlines to charge for the fuel surcharge, I’ve never tried booking one but if you go on the Brazilian Expedia site there are some really cheap fares e.g. London return to Perth (Australia) £422.
Correct. However, tickets are meant to start in Brazil – the current fares are mistakes.
I’ve done some redemptions in/from Brazil, and they were cheap. On their local ff programs, the cost after points was negligible and when doing a long haul to London, a single on half points, half cash still only cost £160 – £80 each for ticket portion and for fees. Double that for a return and it’s still far less than you’d pay on BA for a full points redemption.
As for the new “savings”, fares move around so much there is no way you’d be able to see if a fare is cheaper tomorrow than yesterday, and so while BA and pals may claim to pass on savings, you know you won’t see them. But it’s ok, cos instead you can stay home and save your 1p per pint at the local!
Hi Trevor…
Did you use avios for internal flights in Brasil…would be interested to here how that worked out?
regards
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Not Avios, I was a member of their local ff programs as stated above, for GOL and TAM. At the time TAM was still a Star Alliance member, but since it’ll be Oneworld in 10 days time, it’ll be interesting to see what redemptions cost there using Avios.
thanks Trevor
I just refuse to fly into or out of a country that is so tax happy. I’ll arrive by train instead.
No doubt I’ll be shot down in flames, but I take issues with your claim that APD charges are crazy!
I’m a regular traveller, so pay my fair share of the tax … but I accept that flying causes pollution, and is therefore something that should be taxed (especially as we don’t pay VAT on our tickets).
Whilst leaving aside the minority of people who take an extra trip to Amsterdam to avoid the UK APD rates, it does work in that we either pay it, or we reduce our travel to avoid it.
How does taxing air travel reduce pollution? It’s a money grab, plain and simple. If anything the tax increases pollution as people fly further to avoid the tax.