Finnair adds agent fees

FINNAIR has announced the introduction of new charges for travel agents making bookings via the carrier’s Agent Helpdesk.

Tickets issued through the call centre will now incur a $50 fee for AY flights, with a $100 fee applying to oneworld products booked and issued by the Finnair Agent Helpdesk on/after 31 Jul.

Additional charges also apply for ticket updates ($50) and name corrections ($65), while a fee of $85 applies to refund requests.

Similarly reservations made via the helpdesk using Finnair Plus loyalty points will also now incur a $50 change or refund fee, while $10 will be charged for transfers of Finnair Plus points from one account to another or exchanging award points for tier points.

Providing electronic ticket receipts or EMD receipts after travel will cost $10, as will the issue of any certificates for insurance company purposes.

“Finnair is available on all GDS, therefore agents can book and service their clients directly through their preferred GDS,” the carrier noted.

Assistance on GDS-created bookings will not be subject to the collection of fees, AY added.

Etihad caused a furore some months ago when it introduced a US$50 charge for travel agents needing phone support right at the height of the early wave of COVID cancellations (TD 20 Apr).

MEANWHILE an update from AY country manager Arnaud Michelin yesterday also confirmed that travellers from Australia who are authorised to leave the country can now travel with Finnair via Hong Kong, where transfers between different carriers are permitted.

Although the HKG QF lounge and the Plaza Premium First Lounge are currently closed, Business Class customers can use the Plaza Premium Lounge located near Gate 1.