Reclaim Taxes on Airline Tickets
Service Charges and Tax Refunds on Missed and Cancelled Flights
Oct 19, 2007
Non-refundable airline tickets do not always mean no refund if the flight is not taken. It is often possible to reclaim some taxes and surcharges if a ticket is unused for whatever reason.
European low-cost airlines’ habit of advertising low airfares first and then skyrocket the price with added taxes and charges often irritates. When not being able to use the ticket still means paying taxes and surcharges that the airlines need not hand over to airports and agencies if the passenger does not actually fly, these charges really grate.
The good news is that air passenger duties (airport taxes) and surcharges on luggage, kerosene, and other elements unrelated to the actual flight price can generally be reclaimed in Europe if a flight is missed for whatever reason.
Reclaiming Taxes on Unused Airline Tickets on British and Irish Airlines
Surprisingly, there is no British or Irish law requiring airlines to refund passengers, or paying the charges to airports or any other agencies if a passenger does not actually use the facilities. However, most British and Irish airlines do refund these charges on request. Generally, the refund is handled via the same means as the ticket originally was purchased – through the internet, telephone, or via a travel agent.
- British Airways charges an administration fee of GBP15 (USD 30) for e-tickets and GBP30 (USD60) for refund requests made via telephone or mail. However, on long haul transatlantic flights, taxes and surcharges can exceed GBP150 (USD300) of the total ticket price making the fee worth paying.
- Virgin Atlantic currently has no administrative fee for refunds.
- Easyjet also currently return taxes upon request without an administrative fee.
- Ryanair will also refund taxes despite the Irish budget airline’s famous no-refunds policy. Although conventional wisdom holds that Ryanair’s administrative fee will always exceed the actual tax, Ryanair does refund taxes higher than its standard GBP15 (USD30) administrative fee. The request for a refund must be made in writing and only through Ryanair’s head office in Dublin, Ireland. (Apparently, many passengers wrongly try to claim taxes back from Ryanair through London Stansted or other regional offices and airports.)
- British Midland (BMI) has an administration fee of GBP25 (USD50) for claims by phone, mail, or online.
- Jet2 also require claims to be in writing but with Jet2’s whopping GBP40 (USD80) administration fee few would actually receive anything back.
- Flybe similarly charges no less than GBP25 (USD50) each way – claims (if any) may be in writing or by email.
Reclaiming Taxes on Unused Airline Tickets on German Airlines
Passengers on German airlines have it considerably easier. All the major airlines refund taxes on unused tickets generally without quibbling. Lufthansa, Air Berlin, TUIfly, Condor, and LTU refund taxes without administrative fees. It is generally possible to request the tax refunds via phone, email, in writing, or through the original travel agent.
Low-cost airline Germanwings is the exception. It charges an administrative fee of €5 (USD7) per case, which in Germany generally is considered scandalously unreasonable. Furthermore, the refund claim must be made through normal mail, which is just as well as Germanwings’ service telephone charges 99c (USD1.40) per minute.
Tips on Reclaiming Taxes on Unused Airline Tickets
- A formal refund request is necessary – airlines will not even think about returning taxes unless prompted by the traveler.
- Many airlines allow changes for a fee to so-called non-refundable tickets so consider first whether these re-booking charges will be lower than tax refund administrative fees and buying a completely new ticket.
- Beware of expensive service telephone numbers – a stamp and envelope may be much cheaper (and less frustrating) than waiting for an operator to become available.
- Reservations made through a travel agent means refunds can only be reclaimed via the same agent, who may add a second service charge in addition to that of the airline itself.
- On return or multiple leg tickets, refunds are often impossible if part of the journey was actually flown.
- Request refunds as soon as possible to prevent claim cut-off deadlines.
These refunds are for flights missed or cancelled by the passenger. For delays or cancellations by the airline, all travelers in Europe can rely on European Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 for compensation, reimbursement, and care.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
