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 (December 2021)

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

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

British Airways American Express

5,000 Avios for signing up, no annual fee and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending ….. Read our full review

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

25,000 Avios and the UK’s most valuable credit card perk – the 2-4-1 companion voucher Read our full review

You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points, such as:

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & two airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

30,000 points and an unbeatable set of travel benefits – for a fee Read our full review

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:

Capital On Tap Business Rewards Visa

The most generous Avios Visa or Mastercard for a limited company Read our full review

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:

British Airways Accelerating Business American Express

30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review

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

(Want to earn more Avios?  Click here to visit our home page for our latest articles on earning and spending your Avios points and click here to see how to earn more Avios this month from offers and promotions.)