YOU can get hundreds of pounds back if you miss your flight – even if wasn’t the airline’s fault.
When booking a flight, all passengers in the UK will pay Air Passenger Duty (ADP), which is included in the price of the ticket.
How much this is ranges from the class of flight you have booked – economy, business or first – as well as the distance you are flying.
However, many Brits might not realise that you can get the ADP back if you miss your flight – even if it is your fault.
Reasons such as missing the flight or cancelling a non-refundable flight are both considered acceptable.
According to moneysavingexpert.com: “If you voluntarily cancel a ‘non-refundable’ flight ticket, or you miss your flight (sometimes referred to by airlines as a ‘no show’), don’t just assume you’ve lost your money.
“You can request for the taxes to be refunded, which could be up to £202 per person.”
The highest amount you can claim – £202 each – is for any flights when sitting in business or first class, and the destination is more than 5,500 miles from the UK.
This includes destinations such as the Maldives, Thailand and Australia.
But smaller amounts can also be claimed.
For example, for flights in economy for destinations over 2,001 miles, you can claim £88 back.
This includes destinations such as Dubai, the Caribbean and Cape Verde.
Even if you are flying short haul, you can still claim some of the flight back.
Any flights going to destinations less than 2,000 miles away mean you can claim between £13 and £26, depending on the distance and class.
Missed a domestic flight? Even that counts, with refunds between £7 and £14.
The full list of ADP refunds you can get are as following, if in economy:
And the following ADP refunds can be given if in business or first class:
One woman revealed how her parents were given hundreds back after cancelling their non-refundable flights.
She told moneysavingexpert.com: “They had ‘non-refundable’ tickets so assumed they’d lose the money they’d spent.
“But one quick email to Singapore Airlines and they learned they were entitled to a refund of the Air Passenger Duty (APD) – equivalent to £92 each – plus some other fees – [which] meant a total refund of around £169 each.
“A small consolation, but better than nothing.”
A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
To get it back, you will have to get contact the airline you booked with.
However, some airlines will charge an admin fee for the refunds, which may not make it worth it depending on the refund offered.
For example, Ryanair charge a £20 admin fee, and with their flights all falling under the 2,000 mile limit, is not worth asking for as the maximum refund if £13.
British Airways charges £15 if requested online, while both Virgin and Qantas charge £30.
EasyJet and Emirates do not charge for an ADP refund request.
Air Passenger Duty increased earlier this year, with the UK having some of the highest tax price in the world.
There are ways to avoid paying for the sky-high fees.
Brits can save money by flying from an airport outside of the UK, which can be cheaper.
Airports such as Dublin and Amsterdam can have cheaper flights due to the cheaper ADP, meaning you could save hundreds if opting for a long-haul flight.
