Yes. I agree.
I have miles expiring today (31.12.05) and decided to take advantage of getting the most out of the 8 permitted sectors I am allowed on a domestic European award. CDG-x/ZRH-IST-x/FRA-RIX-x/FRA-x/CPH-x/ZRH-CDG.
The taxes and fuel surcharges (and service fee as the itinerary is too complicated for the website to handle.. plus they can't process LH flights yet) came out to over US$ 381 !
I cancelled and booked just a straight CPH-x/ZRH-IST-x/ZRH-CPH which carried a US$180 tax. Still much better than what I had before.
I'm just glad to rid myself of STC.
That one F class flight on MH still has not been credited.