What the hell is this?
I understand that airlines tack various taxes and fees onto ticket prices. But how can they add up to be over 80% of the base fare? Unfortunately, this particular airline did not give me the option of viewing a complete item-by-item breakdown of the taxes and fees. I suspect much of was related to the particular cities and countries that the itinerary went through and the subsequent security fees that now exist. The irony is that even with all the add-ons, it is a competitive price. However, it hasn't undercut the non-stop option I have with a different airline to justify the extra travel time and plane change.
Looking at where I plan to go this year, I have a moderate amount of flying in my future that isn't work-related. I'll probably be going various places, none of which is the Bay Area, in April, July, and September.
4 comments:
Happy travel. Take a break from your hectic schedules and see the world. No need to go to the Bay Area when there are so many other exotic and interesting places are beckoning. To pay a little less taxes and fees, try to fly non-stop if possible or if it is available with low fare.
You didn't mention what airline that was. Since it did not itemize, the fee could be anything from using the toilet to take a sip of water! The security fees/taxes and airport fees are not difficult to find out. So the rest is pure nonsense. One also can call up that particular airline and ask them to break down the fees. It is against the regulation/law for not disclosing all charges
When call up the service department, before you start talking business, just tell whoever on the other end that you are taping this conversation for future references! Or you can do it the other way around by tell him/her at the end of your conversation.
Here are the taxes of a typical NYC-LHR non-stop economy fare roundtrip:
$2.50 US 9/11 Security Fee
$15.10 US Departure Tax
$4.50 US Passenger Facility Charge
$15.10 US International Arrival Tax
$5.00 US Customs
$7.00 US Immigration Fee
$5.00 USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Fee
£13.00 UK Passenger Service Charge
£40.00 UK Air Passenger Duty
The total is about $54.20 + £53.00. By today's exchange rate, it's about $160 total.
The UK Passenger Service Charge seems to be only £7.60 if it's roundtrip to Gatwick.
The recent increase was the UK Air Passenger Duty, which went up from 20£ to 40£.
No way nears that $300+ that you have. I suppose it must be somewhere in Houston and Canada that costs you a fortune!
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