UK holidaymakers could be due a whopping £44.7 million in Air Passenger Duty (APD) refunds, new research suggests. The study reveals that one in 10 Brits might be eligible for a refund, but over three-quarters are oblivious to the fact they could claim money back.
These figures were compiled by Go Compare, which surveyed Brits about their travel experiences over the past year to determine how many might be owed a refund. It then multiplied this by the average APD paid per passenger to calculate the potential total refund amount.
APD, often referred to as airport tax, is an excise duty on flights departing from the UK, intended to generate government revenue and promote more sustainable transport methods. Although airlines are obliged to pay the tax, it's usually passed onto the customer within the ticket price.
However, the tax is only due once the passenger has flown, meaning anyone who purchased a ticket but didn't travel should be able to reclaim the tax – even on non-refundable tickets. The insurance comparison site revealed that only a third of Brits are aware of APD.
Consequently, around 3.6 million UK adults could be due a refund without even knowing it. The site is now encouraging travellers to check if they're entitled to claim their money back, reports Bristol Live.
Jet-setters might be in for a cash boost as they could claim back Air Passenger Duty (APD) tax if they've missed their flight, had to purchase another ticket, cancelled a non-refundable plane ticket, or didn't take off due to a flight cancellation. Depending on where you were headed and your seat class, you could pocket up to £224. To get your hands on the cash, just contact the airline with your travel details.
Rhys Jones, travel insurance expert at Go. Compare, said: "Very few travellers know what Air Passenger Duty is and understand how it works. This means millions could be entitled to some money from their airline without even realising it. Your eligibility for the refund and how much you can claim depends on the circumstances of your trip, so you will need to check if you're entitled to anything first. Keep in mind that you'll likely only be refunded if you didn't travel, so if you were placed on another flight as a result of a cancellation, for instance, you probably won't be eligible, since you still flew.
"But, if for example you missed your flight and had to buy another ticket for a later departure, you could claim back the tax on the original ticket, as you paid the APD twice but only flew once. Some airlines do impose a deadline and an admin fee to claim, which can mean it isn't worthwhile for some trips, but not all of them do this, so it's worth looking into for your journey.
"You won't be able to claim for any knock-on expenses as a result of an incomplete journey here either, that's what your travel insurance is for. But, it's a great way to take the sting out of a disappointing day at the airport."
More details on snagging an APD refund are up for grabs on Go. Compare's website.
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