booking-guidance

# Booking Guidance Finding the deal is half the battle. Telling the user how to actually book it is the other half. **Every recommendation should include a booking path.** **Reference data:** `data/alliances.json` has booking details for major programs in `key_booking_relationships`. ## Program Fee Profiles **Check this before recommending a transfer or locking in a departure city.** Fees vary dramatically by program and origin airport and can add $100-700+ per person on top of the miles cost. Two things to keep in mind reading the table: (1) several programs are surcharge-free on their own metal and most partners but pass heavy surcharges on *specific* partners (notably British Airways metal) — the YQ column calls those out; (2) dollar figures are per direction and **scale with cabin** — economy surcharges are materially lower than the business-class figures shown for surcharge-heavy metal. Rows marked ⚠️ are high-surcharge programs that often lose to cash. | Program | YQ Surcharge? | Typical fees/pp | Notes | |---------|--------------|-----------------|-------| | Aeroplan (Air Canada) | No | $50-100 | No YQ pass-through on Star Alliance partners. Low fees. Best for LH/LX/UA awards. | | Flying Blue (AF/KLM) | Yes | ~$250-400/way economy, ~$489-600/way business, ex-CDG | AF passes full fuel surcharge; France adds heavy departure tax. Worst from Paris. | | United MileagePlus | No | $50-100 | No YQ on most partners. | | Virgin Atlantic | Yes (on VS metal) | Cabin-dependent...