Originally Posted by
Randy Petersen
As for the 50,000 miles and $600 in taxes? Well, imagine the other person who is paying $500 for the ticket and then $600 in taxes. Let's remember, the award redeemer is not being singled out.
Incorrect. That's the bitter pill of this whole movement. The revenue ticket is
not $500+$600 in taxes. It's $99+$600 in taxes. So, you burn 50,000 for a coach ticket, and then pony up $600 in taxes. They have often reduced the fares, but jacked up the fuel surcharges and other nonsense so high, to compensate.
What does doing this hurt the frequent flyer? First, it makes awards almost useless. Second, if you're flying internationally with kids under 2, you pay 10% for a lap kid, PLUS $600. Another ripoff, in grand style.
Many corporations have discounts based on a percentage off of tickets. By doing the fuel surcharge end-run, they then are abiding by their contract, but pumping the price up substantially, because the fuel surcharge is not discounted.
If the airlines were forced to be a bit more honest, and list an all in price, then it would be easy to compare apples to apples. I saw a $99 airfare round trip from SJO-SLC this morning. Wow, a great fare. It's on AA. Normal taxes are in the $60-80 range. Still a great fare. Add in $210 in fuel surcharges, more than double the actual fare, and it's up to almost $400. Now it's nothing to get excited about.