you pay extra for BE or First but if you don't get it, you don't get a refund[/b]
That's not true. If this has ever happened to you, call NRSA in Tulsa for a refund. You only pay for the class of travel you fly. I've even been switched after boarding - from J to Y - and was charged for Y. I've also had to call NRSA numerous times for adjustments to my travel charges and it was always corrected for me.

On the service charges...

DFW-LHR Coach is $52.60, J - $77.60, F-$117.60
But, LHR-DFW is $175.90-Y $280.70-J $320.70-F

Breakdown on the return:
D1/D2 EMP/RETIREE/SPOUSES/DOMESTIC PARTNER/DEP CHILD/PARENT/
REGISTERED COMPANION
AIRPORT MILES F-COST J-COST Y-COST TRIP VALUE
LHR DFW 4,753 100.00 60.00 35.00 125.00
I.T. TAX 15.10 15.10 15.10
CUSTOMS FEE/YC 5.50 5.50 5.50
INSPECTION FEE 7.00 7.00 7.00
APHIS FEE/XA 5.00 5.00 5.00

SERVICE CHARGE 100.00 60.00 35.00
US TAXES/FEES 32.60 32.60 32.60
INTL TAXES/FEES 188.10 188.10 108.30
TOTAL 4,753 320.70 280.70 175.90 125.00

It's the horrible UK departure taxes; as previously mentioned.

If you fly home from CDG or BRU, it's a lot cheaper.

(CDG-DFW is $228.70-F $188.70-J $113.70-Y
(BRU-ORD-DFW is $199.11-F $142.90-J $126.33-Y)

Of course, you have to get to CDG or BRU; but ZED fares are ~$75/each...net savings of $45 each person if you go through BRU.

-L, AA Employee since 1996.

P.S. We are starting service between Stansted (STN) and JFK - I believe around 29-OCT-07; and the service charges on the return are much less- although it is TWO CABINS ONLY - NO FIRST CLASS - 767:

STN-JFK-DFW: $118.36-J/F ; plus ~$30 ppax for rail from LON to STN airport.