I'm always struck (and annoyed) by how taxes, fees, and surcharges can stack hundreds of dollars onto the cost of an international ticket. This is a concern to the consciencious mileage runner.

I am wondering if any clever folk have figured out ways to minimize or bypass these fees on mileage runs or on awards tickets. Brainstorming some possibilities (and note that I have no idea if these would actually work, or if they're permitted under US law.) :

+ flying out of certain US airports versus others
+ flying out of other countries, esp Mexico or Canada; or initiating the longest flight legs from these countries
+ flying certain airlines vs. others (?)
+ getting some weird exemption: say, for being a journalist, or clergy
+ using awards tix in combination with an international itinerary
+ buying tickets in another country, one way or another.

Interesting line of thought. Any lawyers or runners care to comment?

-KF