Virgin Atlantic Air Passenger Duty

[Laurafoster]

Just seen this notice on the Virgin Atlantic Website.

From 1st February this year, the UK Government has increased Air Passenger Duty (APD) from £20 to £40 for economy passengers, and £40 to £80 for Upper Class and Premium Economy passengers. The tax applies to every passenger leaving on a flight from any UK airport.

If you booked your Virgin Atlantic flight on or after the 13th December 2006, then you’ve already paid the extra tax.

But, if you booked your flight on or before 12th December 2006, we now need to collect this money from you, as the government has taken the unusual step of retrospectively applying a tax.

The APD is a government tax which has been paid by passengers since it was introduced 13 years ago. The government says the extra APD raised will be targeted at helping our environment and tackling climate change. Virgin Atlantic can’t wait to see how the UK government will spend your money to combat global warming.


Dont know about you but that last bit sounds a bit sarcastic to me!!

Looks like they will be collecting it at the airport - but you can also pay it online.

 

[UKDEB]

Virgin Atlantic can’t wait to see how the UK government will spend your money to combat global warming.

Quite. Our goverment clearly doesn't credit us with any degree of intelligence if it believes we'd imagine an increase in taxes will do anything at all to tackle global warming problems.

 

[wayneg]

Looks like they will be collecting it at the airport - but you can also pay it online.

A bit more info was posted yesterday here http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1333656

You can pay at airport but then you wont get the vouchers for a future flight.
FAQ from Virgin site.


Is it true Virgin Atlantic is offering passengers paying the additional APD online with money off vouchers?

Yes Virgin Atlantic does not think passengers who had already booked their travel before the rise in APD was announced should lose out so Virgin Atlantic have introduced its own APD - Atlantic’s Price Deal. Passengers who are liable for additional Air Passenger Duty and who pay in advance of travel at www.virginatlantic.com/greenorbrown, will be given a voucher which can be exchanged for £20 off a future economy booking or £40 off a future Premium Economy or Upper Class booking. The voucher will be given to passengers when they check in for their flight after 1 February 2007.

 

[BingsingsWaltDisney]

HI
dont't get me wrong, water under the bridge and we
all know we have to pay APD but can someone explain
why there is a difference between economy and UC and PE?

Sorry I don't fly either of the latter, but cant quite understand why they pay more. It's not as though they use more green-house gasses or cause more global warming

 

[carolfoy]

The government are hiding this tax under the umbrella 'green tax' its blatently not true - if they wanted a real green tax they'd be forcing us to off set our carbon emissions every time we fly - something a lot of companies are doing as an optional extra. They reckon this tax will be going towards 'green' issues.
I am waiting to see what Mr Brown will be driving when Jag has its new reg out in March

 

[tashasmum]

Have just been on virgins website and they are saying that virgin have paid the APD for you if you booked before the 12th dec. Hope i have read this correctly.

 

[lorapinky]

I find it interesting that the government keep taking our money and yet the country isn't seeing many benefits!

I know its only £40.00 extra for me and DH but to be honest it adds up and makes everything else more costly!

This is so so so annoying!

 

[wayneg]

Hope I have this right.

Anything booked thru Virgin holidays/flydrives - Virgin absorbing the costs

Virgin Atlantic, flight only - Bookings on or before 12th Dec You have to pay the extra. Bookings on or after 13th Dec they have already included the extra tax when you booked.

Pay any extra you owe online they give you vouchers off next flight to the same value. Pay on check in you get nothing.

 

[tashasmum]

Hope I have this right.

Anything booked thru Virgin holidays/flydrives - Virgin absorbing the costs

Virgin Atlantic, flight only - Bookings on or before 12th Dec You have to pay the extra. Bookings on or after 13th Dec they have already included the extra tax when you booked.

Pay any extra you owe online they give you vouchers off next flight to the same value. Pay on check in you get nothing.

That is my understanding of it as well

 

[Boo Boo Too]

HI
dont't get me wrong, water under the bridge and we
all know we have to pay APD but can someone explain
why there is a difference between economy and UC and PE?

Sorry I don't fly either of the latter, but cant quite understand why they pay more. It's not as though they use more green-house gasses or cause more global warming

Because, as a premium passenger, you are calculated to leave a larger "carbon footprint" (becuase you take up more space - so more of the mass of the aircraft is devoted to you - than an economy passenger, so the plane burns more fuel to get you there... apprently. Hence, as a premium passenger you supposedly have a larger impact on the environment).

I agree with UKDEB, I would love to know how the government is using this tax to combat global warming...

Boo

 

[jmagla]

I have just been to the Virgin site, regarding the £20 voucher, it looks like you only get one voucher per booking, is that the way everyone else reads it?. Still better than nothing. Worth paying in advance to avoid the hassle, just hope everyone else does the same!.
Michael

 

[Rain]

I assumed you would get a voucher for each passenger.

 

[wayneg]

I have read it thru again and dont see it says 1 per booking so assume its 1 per passenger. There will be some irate people at the gate if they only give 1 per booking.
I paid mine last night, 2 things I did not like. I paid by Paypal but 12 hours later still dont have an email confirmation (always get immediate confirmation with Paypal and Ebay), no idea why a company like Virgin are accepting Paypal.
Other dislike, I put in details of my other flight I booked Xmas day (tax already paid) and it just accepts payment, no warning you don't owe the tax.
How many will pay by mistake? will they get in touch and refund mistakes?
Wayne

 

[Debbied]

We have booked with Virgin Holidays. I have just checked my balance on-line and nothing has been added to this (we booked May 06) does this mean we are exempt or will we have to pay Virgin Atlantic either on the day or beforehand?

 

[wilma-bride]

We have booked with Virgin Holidays. I have just checked my balance on-line and nothing has been added to this (we booked May 06) does this mean we are exempt or will we have to pay Virgin Atlantic either on the day or beforehand?

Interesting - this is something which occured to me. I do hope that Virgin are going to be treating everyone equally regardig this i.e. if those who booked direct with VA have to pay then so should those who booked through VH.

I haven't paid mine yet but I suspect I will have to bite the bullet and do it at some point. Just leaves a nasty taste, that's all.

 

[wayneg]

No they are not treating eveyone the same.
If you booked thru VH you are lucky, you dont have anything to pay because in the holiday contract terms and conditions with VH it says no sucharges, suppliments etc etc.
Here is the full wording from VH site
Government Air Passenger Duty (APD)
For Bookings made on or before 12 December 2006

If you have booked your holiday with us on or before the 12 December 2006 you will not have to pay the increased government tax (APD). This tax increase has been paid for you by Virgin Holidays in accordance with the terms of our booking conditions. Therefore you will not be required to pay at the airport.

For Bookings made on or after 13 December 2006

If you have booked your holiday with us on or after the 13 December 2006 your booking includes the increased government tax (APD). This increased tax charge will show as a separate line item on your invoice. Therefore you will not be required to pay at the airport. Please ensure you have this invoice with you on your day of departure.
Wayne

 

[wideeyes]

Interesting - this is something which occured to me. I do hope that Virgin are going to be treating everyone equally regardig this i.e. if those who booked direct with VA have to pay then so should those who booked through VH.

It is not that virgin are treating people differently it that people who booked package holidays with VH are protected by ABTA who say the TO must absorb any tax increases of 2% or less. It the same with any package holiday booked with any TO and TA ABTA bonded. It is in the terms and conditons, at the back of the brochures.

 

[lawlesslovewdw]

Isnt it fantastic that our extra taxes are going to third world countries to make sure they dont contribute to expanding levels of pollution -

Okay our family isnt exactly the greenest around we have 2 cars a toyota yaris for me and the kiddies and a chrysler 300c (flame my hubbie) but he does travel alot. We fly to america 1/2 a year. So we contribute quite a bit of co2. Our home is extremely well insulated and energy efficent, and we have ordered a wind turbine to be fitted to the house, we recycle - but have to take it ourselves and travel to do this as our local council apparently dont support this idea.

I will pay my extra taxes and grit my teeth whilst i do it, but why not invest the money in proper co reducing fuel types - like nuclear power etc. I have a degree in environmental science and like it or not its the way forward without it america wouldnt light up! I am sure my £40 will prevent some cold person somewhere chopping down a tree and using it as fuel - whats the alternative a solar powered heater

 

[Lisash]

I've paid the balance on my New York trip to the travel agent this week (trip is with VH) and nobody said anything

 

[jmagla]

Wayneg - I paid my tax via paypal and got an immediate e-mail to confirm, if you havent got one yet I would get in touch with them.