Late last week, Thrifty Traveler reported that Virgin Atlantic substantially increased surcharges on their own flights, hiking the charge displayed as “taxes & fees” by 50% or more. There are still opportunities to get a good deal when mileage prices are at their least expensive, but there is no doubt that the increase in fees stings quite a bit here.
When Virgin Atlantic went to variable award pricing last October, the unexpected plus side was that we saw a drastic decrease in taxes and fees and, in some cases, mileage prices at certain times of year. To some extent, both the points cost and the fees were variable, but we were seeing awards from just 29,000 points and about $250 in taxes & fees.
However, as they have made a habit of doing in recent years, Virgin Atlantic has raised the taxes and fees without notice or notification. While we are still seeing some business class redemptions from 29,000 miles one way, the taxes and fees have now increased to $592 one-way departing the United States. That’s an increase of more than 100%. Premium economy redemptions have seen a similar increase of more than 100% in taxes and fees, jumping from around $100 one-way to around $250 one-way.
Even the taxes and fees on economy class awards have increased by about 50%, with awards from New York to London now starting at 6,000 miles plus $111 in taxes & fees. Previously, these routes carried $75 in taxes & fees.