Claim your tax back for cancelled flights

[MARTIN3030]

It is possible to ask for the fee paid for cancelled flights.
If the flight was paid for by card then it will be refunded back.
They dont advertise this........but it is your right to ask for it !!

[BillyS]

Though most airlines will attempt to deduct an 'admin charge' to do this when you ask. Does anyone know the legal position on this? BA for one charge a whopping £30 to refund the fee, pretty much swallowing up the refund anyway.

[MBK]

I believe I am right in saying that the law regarding only states that when a flight is cancelled or if a passenger does not take a flight then the tax is not payable to the government. However the law falls short of stating that the tax should then be paid back to the passenger. This is why you find some airlines saying a refund of the tax can be refunded, however an admin fee is payable in order to get the refund!!!

[Wild Billy]

Are we talking about Air Passenger Duty? The liability for Air Passenger Duty is with the airline rather than the passenger and it is the airline that pays the tax to the Government. It is the choice of the airline whether it passes on that cost to the passenger or not so I'm not really sure it is quite as simple as saying it can be claimed back if a flight is cancelled.

[salfordric]

BA charge a service fee for issuing a refund on any ticket regardless of if its fare or taxation refund, only exception I think is on full fares that allow full refunds without charges. If a flight is cancelled and you are not rebooked then you should receive the full ticket cost back without any fees. Often at BA we issue passengers with further transportation vouchers if they want tax refunds. these normally come in the form of an MCO for further transportation. Fees although policy are enforced with a certain level of discretion so its always worth being nice to the person you are speaking to as take it from me you wont get anywhere if your not !!,

[BillyS]

That seems to nicely summarise the arrogant attitude I have found in my dealings with BA staff of late. I think BA would be wise to consider 'being nice' to their customers and stop treating them like fools. Following my recent dealings with them I have a) got a complete refund of all charges due to me including the ridiculous £25 PER TICKET (even though the refund for the entire booking is processed in one operation) and b) taken the decision my company or my family will NEVER fly with BA again.

[morning_pete]

They don't refund the fuel surcharge on your taxes now either... it's normally about 40% of the taxes too! :S

[Littleclarebear]

Hi, I cancelled 2 flights with Gulf Air and claimed the cost of the actual flights on my travel insurance, but not the charges. After endless emails with Gulf Air they have agreed to refund the airport tax, less a £20 admin charge. They still refuse to refund the fuel and insurance charges which are most of the charges! Is there any way I can get this back? Thanks