The HfP chat thread – Friday 9th October

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Nic says:

9 Oct9 October 23:22

I have a question on Avios pricing.

Was looking at flights to Cape Town next August for 2 adults, 2 children and as expected there is nothing other than economy. What I did notice is the pricing I was quoted for economy was as follows:
280,000+£600, 240,000+£1,040, 200,000+£1,400, 160,000+£2,000.

Now I was sure that peak Cape Town return is 50,000 and I can find nothing to the contary. So the base Avios price should be 200,000 for four tickets. Checking the cash price of the tickets tells me the taxes are £657.

So surely it should be 200,000+£657 and not +£1400?

Anyone know what is going on?
- TGLoyalty says:
  
  9 Oct9 October 23:56
  
  Isn’t there an Avios sale on with 50% off? Are you looking at WTP seats rather than WT?
- ChasP says:
  
  10 Oct10 October 01:09
  
  you arent paying TAXES
  
  you are paying taxes + BA charges
  
  people incorrectly refer to the money you must pay to BA on an Avios booking as taxes -it isnt. its an arbitrary figure and always greater than taxes on a long haul booking
  - TGLoyalty says:
    
    10 Oct10 October 08:43
    
    It’s not arbitrary. YQ is defined by route by the carrier based upon their own calculations and should be the same for cash and Avios bookings.
    
    Usually it’s actual fare that’s heavily discounted when there’s a Sale on but YQ can be slashed too.
    - Nic says:
      
      10 Oct10 October 09:29
      
      The BA website says “Pay Avios plus a cash amount for taxes, fees and carrier charges.” Cash prices are defined as the fare plus taxes, fees and carrier charges. So they should be the same and I am positive when I have checked in the past that they were exactly the same between cash and avoid.