With the abolition of air passenger duty for under-16s kicking in next Wednesday, money.co.uk has investigated into how travel companies and airlines are processing refunds for passengers that are under-16 and flying after March 1.
In December 2014 the Chancellor announced the abolition of Air Passenger Duty on children?s flights which was removed for the under-12s from May 1, 2015 and travel companies issued refunds.
This process will now be repeated and anyone who booked an economy flight taking off after March 1, 2016 for a 12-15 year old will be due some cash back.
However this reclaim process is not standardised and varies across travel companies so to help consumers navigate the maze, money.co.uk has compiled a guide to help people get their cash back from their individual provider.
Some travel companies, such as EasyJet, First Choice, Monarch, Thomas Cook and Thomson, have implemented a more proactive approach to the refund process making the charging structure less of an issue for consumers whilst some other companies are asking people to fill out forms to request a refund.
Hannah Maundrell, editor-in-chief for money.co.uk, urged parents to make sure they get a refund: ?As airlines breathe a sigh of relief having just completed the first batch of refunds, they now have to start the whole process all over again.
?This would be a straightforward process if all refunds were automatic, however some travel companies are asking people to ?apply? for a refund. This could lead to people being left in APD limbo as one in three parents claimed they would not apply for a refund. Just to add further complexity, parents that booked package deals will have to go back to the tour operator to make a claim, not the airline.
?On a brighter note, this will save a family of four with two children ?26 on a flight to Europe and ?142 on a flight to the USA. Every penny counts when you?re bringing up a family so holidaymakers should do what it takes to get the cash back and put it back into their holiday spending pot.?
To find out more information and to access the guide visit money.co.uk
