Originally Posted by
benberg2013
Just booked BKK - SIN in SQ Business, for 21,000 miles, and 84 euro taxes , including 20 Euro A3 booking fee.
I'm also looking at booking SIN - BKK in TG economy, but the taxes with A3 miles are around 75 Euro, and on United.com they are charging 17.5k miles, and only 25 US Dollars - why is that?
first of all, 21k miles for a 2 hour flight in biz is not the best return for an award redemption...that 84 euro taxes alone would be enough for an economy seat BKK-SIN, and you get to keep the 21K miles for much longer trips in biz class, such as BKK-NRT, or SIN-PEK. but to each their own needs.
back to topic,
have a look on matrix at the tax breakdown on a one way economy ticket on thai. this is what comes up. 61 dollars in taxes. add the 20 dollar booking fee and the numbers add up.
Carrier TG VLOWSG SIN to BKK (rules)
Passenger type ADT, ONE-WAY-ONLY fare, booking code V
Covers SIN-BKK (Economy)
Fare = US$101.49 (you pay in miles instead of the fare$$)
Taxes and fuel surcharges (YQ) = you pay this in cash.
TG YQ surcharge (YQ) US$37.00
Singapore Passenger Service And Security Charge (SG) US$13.80
Singapore Aviation Levy (OP) US$4.20
Singapore Passenger Security Service Charge (OO) US$5.60
Thailand Advance Passenger Processing User Charge (E7) US$1.00
lastly, united does not collect fuel surcharges (YQ) and might not charge a booking fee, but Aegean (like Aeroplan or ANA) does, so that is a big difference to begin with.
united 25 USD is these components 13.8 + 4.2 + 5.6 +1 = 24.6 USD.