Airline Taxes

[dodgymanc]

On booking a trip to America, the tax went from �82.20 on one screen, to about �160 on the next. Why this sudden and large price jump? Is there any way I can avoid it?

[jno]

not just changing from single to return fares, was it?

[dodgymanc]

The price jump was from the screen where you input all your details (mainly address) to the screen offering insurance.

[jno]

beats me, then. But tax should be a simple amount (though airlines may fudge it in different ways); perhaps you could call the airline and check what it is on this flight?

[dodgymanc]

Hmm ok thanks. I'm doing it with Virgin Atlantic through flight.co.uk.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

why dident you do it direct with virgin,you might have saved some money,the price increase,could have been the fuel surcharge added and the new leaving and entry tax.

[dodgymanc]

I'm going to Charlotte, NC via Orlando. Virgin only operates flight to Orlando so i'll have to book the Orlando to Charlotte flight seperately. Would that cost me more money? It's the first time i've done this!

[Buenchico]

It might well work out cheaper to book the flights separately.

According to the website of Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, there's plenty of competition on the route from Orlando, so fares should be quite low.

Airlines operating on that route are listed as
US Airways:
http://www.usairways.com/
AirTran airways:
http://www.airtran.com/
and United Airlines (operating under a code share arrangement with United Express):
http://www.ual.com/

However, the Charlotte-Douglas website states that US airlines operates direct flights from Gatwick. I'd recommend checking out their fares before booking a two-leg flight.

Chris

[Buenchico]

Oops!
Slight typo: That should, of course, have said that US Airways operate directly from Gatwick to Charlotte-Douglas.

Chris

[dazf]

hi dodgymanc,,
just want 2 let u know the small print on your tickets, if u do book 2 seperate tickets..
the airline is only responsible to take u from A-B
so VS (virgin) will be from LGW-MCO (gatwick-orlando)
if flight is late and u miss u next flight VS will not help u.
u will have to purchase a new ticket and evan a hotel over nite in orlando...
same with the other way...
some airlines may as a jesture of good will help in some way but they r not oblige to help..
this could also be the reason for the tax increase...

[dodgymanc]

OK, found flights from Gatwick for �280. Nice.

I'm from Manchester so I gotta get down there, can anyone confirm for me if Virgin Trains have discontinued thier 14 Day Value Advance tickets?

[Buenchico]

The best way to check all of the available rail fares is to put your travel information into the journey planner here:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

For peak time travel, the 'walk-up' fare return is a staggering �249. If you can travel off-peak, a Saver Return (which is also available as a 'walk-up' ticket) is �66.

There are advance purchase single tickets available but the prices vary widely. (For some of the sample dates I've just tried, an Advance Single could be as low as �16.50 or as high as �97. In many cases, a Saver Return - where available - is cheaper than purchasing two Advance Single tickets).

Chris