FindAWay

I'm looking at flying one of the new international non-stops out of MDW on WN and ran into a taxes savings by booking a round-trip instead of separate one-ways (this may be true on all carriers...but, I often book round-trips on other carriers, so, I haven't noticed it before). Specifically, the "+Transportation Tax (International)" ($32.40 outlined below) is charged on the return only if it is a one-way flight and is not charged on the return if the reservation is booked as a round-trip.

If I booked as separate one-ways, the total would be $496.60 as a paid fare or 22,330 points + $138.10 as a points fare. If I booked as a single round-trip reservation, the total would be $464.20 as a paid fare or 22,330 points + $105.70 as a points fare. So, I would save $32.40 booking as a round-trip.

I'm looking at the specific options detailed below:

Booking MDW-PUJ on 2/20/2015 & PUJ-MDW 2/22/2015 as Separate One-Way Reservations (as I do domestically on WN):

MDW-PUJ:

Paid Fare would be $197.90

Fare Breakdown
Base Fare $139.00
+Excise Taxes $17.50
[SUBTOTAL] $156.50
+Passenger Facility Charge $4.50
+Security Fee $5.60
+Dominican Republic Airport Authority Fee $15.00
+Dominican Republic Airport Infrastructure Fee $16.30
Total per Passenger $197.90

Points Fare would be 9,730 points + $36.90

Fare Breakdown
Fare 9,730 pts
+Excise Taxes $0.00
[SUBTOTAL] $0.00
+Security Fee $5.60
+Dominican Republic Airport Authority Fee $15.00
+Dominican Republic Airport Infrastructure Fee $16.30
Total per Passenger 9,730 pts + $36.90

PUJ-MDW

Paid Fare would be $298.70

Fare Breakdown
Base Fare $180.00
+Excise Taxes $17.50
[SUBTOTATL] $197.50
+U.S. Customs User Fee $5.50
+U.S. APHIS User Fee $5.00
+U.S. Immigration User Fee $7.00
+Transportation Tax (International) $32.40
+Dominican Republic Airport Authority Fee $15.00
+Dominican Republic Airport Infrastructure Fee $16.30
+Dominican Republic Airport Departure Tax $20.00
Total per Passenger $298.70

Points Fare would be 12,600 points + $101.20

Fare Breakdown
Fare 12,600 pts
+Excise Taxes $0.00
[SUBTOTAL] $0.00
+U.S. Customs User Fee $5.50
+U.S. APHIS User Fee $5.00
+U.S. Immigration User Fee $7.00
+Transportation Tax (International) $32.40
+Dominican Republic Airport Authority Fee $15.00
+Dominican Republic Airport Infrastructure Fee $16.30
+Dominican Republic Airport Departure Tax $20.00
Total per Passenger 12,600 pts + $101.20


Booking MDW-PUJ 2/20/2015 & PUJ-MDW 2/22/2015 as a Single Round Trip Reservation (unlike what I do domestically on WN):

MDW-PUJ-MDW

Paid Fare would be $464.20

Fare Breakdown
Base Fare $319.00
+Excise Taxes $35.00
[SUBTOTAL] $354.00
+Passenger Facility Charge $4.50
+Security Fee $5.60
+U.S. Customs User Fee $5.50
+U.S. APHIS User Fee $5.00
+U.S. Immigration User Fee $7.00
+Dominican Republic Airport Authority Fee $30.00
+Dominican Republic Airport Infrastructure Fee $32.60
+Dominican Republic Airport Departure Tax $20.00
Total per Passenger $464.20

Points Fare would be 22,330 points + $105.70

Fare Breakdown
Fare 22,330 pts
+Excise Taxes $0.00
[SUBTOTATL]
+Security Fee $5.60
+U.S. Customs User Fee $5.50
+U.S. APHIS User Fee $5.00
+U.S. Immigration User Fee $7.00
+Dominican Republic Airport Authority Fee $30.00
+Dominican Republic Airport Infrastructure Fee $32.60
+Dominican Republic Airport Departure Tax $20.00
Total per Passenger 22,330 pts + $105.70

spchester

Thanks for catching this. I have an upcoming trip to Jamaica I did as one ways and I noticed it was much more on the return. Didn't think to try a RT. I have to change dates anyway so I'll confirm if RT is cheaper.

bon95

Seems to be limited to certain locations. AUA and NAS doesn't matter if booked OW or RT.

vacayseeker

Hey - I've been booking everything as one ways as recommended, and it's definitely helped me in terms of rebooking fares. But today, I checked out a round trip flight from BWI to PUJ but when booking as one ways, the PUJ --> BWI leg was ~$30 more expensive. And it was entirely due to fees - that is, the point value was the same.

Anyone have any insight as to why this happens? Is this true for all international flights?

bon95

It's not true for all international flights, just some.