Hypothetical question. I am looking at a cheapie OKC-STL ticket. Ticket is $63.26 plus $23.24 worth of taxes (37%) making it a total of $86.50. If my plans change and I don't use the ticket it is pretty much worthless, as there is a $100 change fee - more than the value of the ticket.

So if I want to change anything on the ticket it would probably be cheaper to throw it away and buy a new one, as the new ticket could possibly be under $100.

Lets say I postpone the trip for a week, throw away the old ticket and buy a new one for $86.50. I've had to pay a security fee for entry to an airport I never used, and tax on a service I also did not use.

Here is the question, does the airline pocket the $23.24 of taxes if I don't use the ticket? Or do they dutifully report it and pay it to whatever governmental agency takes it, as well as to the OKC airport and the STL airport for "facilities charges" on a ticket that was never used.

I imagine these taxes on unused tickets add up to quite a bit of money, and I was wondering who actually receives the cash.

Anyone know?