Fuel surcharges returning to one-way Avios redemptions from Hong Kong

Fuel surcharges are returning to one-way Avios redemptions from Hong Kong.

Since February 2016, airlines have not been able to add fuel surcharges on flights departing from Hong Kong when the journey originates there.

This has led to substantial tax savings if you were in the position of being able to book one-way Avios redemptions.  It made no difference on British Airways American Express 2-4-1 voucher bookings because those had to originate in the UK.  It WAS a benefit for anyone with the – now closed – Lloyds Avios Rewards credit card upgrade vouchers, as those could be used on a one-way flight back to the UK.

Here is an example:

Return Club World redemption from the UK to Hong Kong and back – £564 of taxes

One way Club World redemption from the UK to Hong Kong – £365 of taxes

One way Club World redemption from Hong Kong to the UK – £34 of tax

This meant you saved £165 by booking your redemption as 2 x one-way tickets.

From 1st November, this is ending.  As part of a package of measures agreed with the airlines on how they advertise flight prices, the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department has allowed fuel surcharges to return.  This is for bookings made from 1st November so there is still a window of six weeks to make a booking for travel in 2019.

You can read more on the South China Morning Post site here.

---

How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (April 2024)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!

In February 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.

You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:

There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:

You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points. These points convert at 1:1 into Avios.

Run your own business?

We recommend Capital on Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, along with a sign-up bonus worth 10,500 Avios.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 12th May 2024, the Capital on Tap Business Rewards Visa card is offering a bonus of 30,000 points, convertible into 30,000 Avios. You must have a Limited Company to apply. Click here to learn more and click here to apply.

You should also consider the British Airways Accelerating Business credit card. This is open to sole traders as well as limited companies and has a 30,000 Avios sign-up bonus.

There are also generous bonuses on the two American Express Business cards, with the points converting at 1:1 into Avios. These cards are open to sole traders as well as limited companies.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.