When the time of the next vacation is approaching, potential tourists storm the sites of tourist operators in order to find the most suitable tour. And, of course, its cost is not in the last place. And so, a suitable tourist package is found, paid for, and when booking it suddenly turns out that the real cost of the trip is higher than the one indicated in the tour search system. Tourist operators fall asleep with questions, and when clarifying it turns out that the whole thing in the so-called fuel collection. Unfortunately, not always the size of fuel collection (and even its existence in general) is indicated in the search engine. Some tour operators do not put it into the base cost either. That's why there are such unpleasant surprises.
Theory
Let's try to figure out what the "fuel surcharge" means, the surcharge for which so upsets the travelers. In general, this is the amount that tourists are forced to pay in addition to the base cost of the selected tourist package due to the fact that the price of aviation fuel has increased. That is, fuel charge is taken for the fact that during the period that has passed since the beginning of active sales of vouchers, the cost of aviation fuel has increased. It usually takes a few months from the time you bought a tourist package, and the price of fuel is constantly rising. Airlines are unable to predict this dynamic, so their own risks remain invaluable. The possibility of paying fuel surcharges to the airline is stipulated in contracts signed with tourist operators, and those in turn require them from tourists through agents.
Practice
The question of when the fuel surcharge is paid, the airlines decide independently. Some enter it in a fixed amount, that is, it will not depend on the date of your departure. Others, depending on the season, develop a diagram explaining how to calculate the fuel surcharge. In addition, its size may depend on the city from where the departure is planned. It turns out that the final price of the tour package, formed from the cost of tickets, meals and accommodation in the hotel, medical insurance , transfer services and other services (visa, insurance from non-departure), is increased by the cost of this fuel charge itself.
The amount of this fee in the booking sheet must be provided by the tour operators in a separate line, and paid by the client of the agency simultaneously with the payment of the basic cost of the tour package. If for a tourist this collection becomes a surprise, with which he does not want to put up, then the tour will be immediately canceled. In addition, the agency will issue penalties to the client.
It is worth noting that sometimes it is possible to not pay the fuel fee: if this surcharge became known already at the stage when the tourist fully paid all expenses in accordance with the agreement with the agency. In this situation, a self-respecting travel agent does not transfer additional costs to partners and customers.
With regard to the size of fuel collection, then a specific figure must be learned directly from the tour operator or on the official websites of the airlines whose services you plan to use. This amount can vary within the limits of forty-one hundred and fifty US dollars or euros.
Summarizing the above, we note that careful study of the terms of the contract that you sign in the travel agency, as well as consultations on the air carrier's websites will help to avoid unforeseen expenses. After a spoiled mood on the eve of a long-awaited vacation - not the best of its beginning. Prepare to leave abroad carefully, and then positive memories are guaranteed to you!