Rajan Wilcox
Fuel surcharges are fees imposed by airlines to account for variations in fuel costs. These fees are added to the price of tickets and can vary widely by airline and route. Japan Airlines (JAL), for example, applies fuel surcharges on all international passenger tickets, including flights to and from Japan. Similarly, All Nippon Airways (ANA) charges a fuel surcharge on international flights to and from Japan. On the other hand, United Airlines is one of the few airlines that do not charge any fuel surcharges on its flights or those of its partners. This means that when booking with United Airlines, you won't have to worry about paying additional fuel surcharges on top of the displayed ticket price.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| United Airlines international fuel surcharge to Japan | $0 |
| United Airlines fuel surcharge on partner flights | $0 |
| United Airlines MileagePlus fuel surcharge on award tickets | $0 |
| Fuel surcharge for flights to/from Japan with ANA | ~$668 |
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What You'll Learn
United Airlines does not charge fuel surcharges
United Airlines is one of the few airlines that does not charge any fuel surcharges, either on its own flights or those of its Star Alliance and other partners. This means that there are no fuel surcharges on United Airlines flights when booking with partners.
United Airlines MileagePlus is a good program, especially for those new to booking award travel. The program is very easy to use: you can book awards completely online, award availability searches are made easy with month-long calendar searches, and it’s easy to earn a lot of United miles. Because United Airlines is a Star Alliance airline, you’ll enjoy a diverse and widespread route network for booking award travel.
Many frequent flyer programs, such as Avianca LifeMiles, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and United Airlines MileagePlus, do not pass on fuel surcharges for award tickets. However, some carriers like British Airways, Emirates, and Lufthansa are known for high fuel charges.
In many ways, Avianca is actually better than United Airlines. Avianca LifeMiles can be superior to United Airlines MileagePlus because award costs are generally lower, you can buy miles with a 100% to 150% bonus during sales and get first-class flights for a fraction of the cost, and there are more transfer partners. However, as far as fuel surcharges go, you don't have much to worry about with United Airlines.
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Fuel surcharges are included in the ticket price
When booking a flight, it is important to be aware of any additional charges that may be included in the ticket price. Fuel surcharges are one such charge and they can vary depending on the airline and route. In the case of United Airlines, it is one of the few airlines that do not charge any fuel surcharges, either on its own flights or those of its Star Alliance and other partners. This means that when you book a flight with United Airlines, you can be confident that the price you see is the price you will pay, with no hidden fuel costs.
Fuel surcharges are typically applied to cover the cost of variations in fuel prices and are usually included in the advertised cash price of a ticket. This means that when you purchase a ticket with cash or credit, the fuel surcharge is built into the total price, and you will not be charged any additional fees. The price of a ticket includes the base fare, taxes, and any fuel or other surcharges, so there are no surprises at the checkout. This is in contrast to award tickets, where some airlines may apply fuel surcharges on top of the required miles or points, which can significantly increase the overall cost of the ticket.
While United Airlines does not impose fuel surcharges, it is always a good idea to check the terms and conditions of your ticket carefully. Some airlines may include fuel surcharges in the ticket price but refer to them under a different name, so it is important to understand the breakdown of the ticket cost. Additionally, fuel surcharges may change over time due to fluctuations in fuel prices, so it is worth staying up to date with the latest information when booking your travel.
When considering flights to Japan, it is worth noting that some airlines may apply fuel surcharges. For example, Japan Airlines (JAL) applies fuel surcharges and insurance surcharges on all international passenger tickets, including flights operated by other airlines. Similarly, All Nippon Airways (ANA) charges a fuel surcharge and insurance surcharge on international flights to and from Japan, which may vary depending on market fuel prices. However, by choosing to fly with United Airlines, you can avoid these additional costs and have peace of mind knowing that your ticket price is all-inclusive.
In summary, when booking your travel to Japan, it is reassuring to know that United Airlines includes any necessary fuel costs within the ticket price. This transparency allows travellers to make informed decisions and ensures that there are no unexpected surcharges. By avoiding airlines that impose separate fuel charges, passengers can benefit from a straightforward booking process and a clear understanding of the total cost of their trip.
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Fuel surcharges vary by airline and route
Fuel surcharges are an extra fee on top of the base airfare, ostensibly to cover the cost of airline fuel. They can vary widely by airline and route, with some carriers like British Airways, Emirates, and Lufthansa known for high fuel charges.
For example, if you fly from the US to Dubai in Emirates first or business class, you will pay around $1,610 in fuel surcharges. However, if you fly from Auckland to Dubai, you will pay no fuel surcharges at all, and only $27 in total taxes and fees.
Some countries restrict or regulate the fuel surcharges an airline can levy for travel departing from that country. For instance, Air Canada levies fuel surcharges on its own flights, but its frequent flyer program, Aeroplan, does not pass on any fuel surcharges. Similarly, American Airlines only passes on fuel surcharges on British Airways and Iberia flights. As long as you avoid booking on these carriers, you won't pay any fuel surcharges.
Additionally, some airlines, like United Airlines, do not charge any fuel surcharges, either on their own flights or those of their partners. Singapore Airlines also does not pass on fuel surcharges from several of its partners, including United Airlines. Japan Airlines is another example of an airline that levies a fuel surcharge, but if you want to fly without the surcharge, you can use American Airlines or Alaska Airlines miles.
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Fuel surcharges may change without notice
Fuel surcharges are fees assessed by airlines to account for regional and seasonal variations in fuel costs. They are added to the price of tickets to cover the cost of fuel. These surcharges can vary widely by airline and route, with some carriers like British Airways, Emirates, and Lufthansa known for imposing high fuel charges. Notably, United Airlines is one of the few airlines that do not charge any fuel surcharges, neither on its own flights nor on those of its partners.
However, it is important to note that fuel surcharges may change without notice. This is because they are subject to government approval and can be adjusted according to fluctuations in fuel prices. For example, Japan Airlines (JAL) applies a fuel surcharge on all international passenger tickets, and this surcharge is reviewed and revised bimonthly. Similarly, All Nippon Airways (ANA) charges a fuel surcharge on international flights to/from Japan, and this surcharge may be increased, decreased, or abolished depending on the market price of fuel.
When booking flights, it is advisable to be aware of potential fuel surcharges, especially when using miles or points for award tickets. While booking with cash typically includes any fuel surcharges in the advertised price, award tickets may have fuel surcharges levied on top of the required miles or points. These surcharges can sometimes be as high as the value of the miles being redeemed.
Additionally, fuel surcharges can vary depending on the route taken. For instance, flying from the US to Dubai in first or business class can incur fuel surcharges of around $1,610, while flying from Auckland to Dubai incurs no fuel surcharges. Similarly, Air Canada levies substantial fuel surcharges, but its frequent flyer program, Aeroplan, does not pass on these charges to its members. Thus, it is beneficial to be mindful of fuel surcharges when planning travel to avoid unexpected expenses.
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Fuel surcharges are separate from insurance surcharges
Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) are the two airlines that appear to be associated with fuel surcharges to Japan. However, it is unclear whether these fuel surcharges are specific to flights departing from Japan or flights to Japan from other countries. For example, JAL outlines that for tickets issued in June and July 2025, there is a fuel surcharge of USD 8 for itineraries originating in the Philippines.
JAL and ANA also apply insurance surcharges on all international passenger tickets, which are separate from the fuel surcharges. These insurance surcharges are implemented to cover the cost of extra safety and security measures. The amounts for the insurance surcharge are the same for adults, children, and infants, and they apply to JAL Mileage Bank award tickets. When a ticket is refunded, the full amount of the insurance surcharge is returned.
The fuel surcharge, on the other hand, is subject to change without notice, depending on government approvals and the market price of fuel. It is applied to all passengers occupying seats, with infants without seats being exempt. Similar to the insurance surcharge, the fuel surcharge applies to JAL Mileage Bank award tickets. When a ticket is refunded, the full amount of the fuel surcharge is returned.
It is important to note that fuel surcharges are not unique to flights. They are also prevalent in the shipping industry, where freight fuel surcharges are fees that drivers can charge shippers to account for changes in fuel prices between the scheduling and execution of a delivery. This helps to protect businesses from fluctuating fuel costs and ensures that they do not incur unnecessary expenses due to fuel price volatility.
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Frequently asked questions
No, United Airlines is one of the few airlines that doesn't charge any fuel surcharges, either on its own flights or those of its Star Alliance and other partners.
Yes, Japan Airlines does charge a fuel surcharge on flights to Japan. The surcharge is added to the price of the ticket and applies to all passengers, including adults, children, and infants occupying seats. Infants under two years old who do not occupy seats are exempt from the surcharge.
The fuel surcharge for Japan Airlines flights to Japan varies and may change without advance notice according to government approvals. The surcharge amount depends on factors such as the origin of the itinerary and the date of ticketing. For example, for tickets issued in June and July 2025 for itineraries originating in the Philippines, the fuel surcharge was USD 8.
Yes, several airlines and their frequent flyer programs do not pass on fuel surcharges for award tickets. These include United Airlines MileagePlus, Avianca LifeMiles, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and Japan Airlines Mileage Bank.
