Avoiding the GST on North American flights
 

I know that if you buy a international ticket which has domestic segments within North America, it is not subject to GST.

However, if I buy two seperate tickets one (YVR-JFK) and another (JFK-International destination), do I have to pay GST on the YVR-JFK ticket? or can I get an exemption if it was ticket by the same travel agency?

Since I occasionally buy J class full fare from YVR-JFK, the GST can be rather high (almost as much as a restricted Y class ticket on the same flight).

Does anyone know what "cheap" international tickets I can buy on the side if it could make my North American ticket GST exempt?

Will I still be liable for the GST if I don't use the "cheap" international ticket and exchange it for another ticket? (The GST on a J class ticket can be a lot more than the change fee)

I know that if you do a MHD "mexican hat dance" and fly YVR-YYZ-MEX-LAX-YVR, that no GST is paid !!!, but I want some other suggestions.

Actually, GST is paid on MHDs that have domestic internal travel. As to your original question, is the GST more than paying US customs/immigration and other fees which would increase the second ticket by about C$60. And you pay the same C$60 on the ticket that gets you to the US.

I thought GST was only charged on an international ticket when there was domestic connections. I have never paid GST on direct, nonstop flights to Europe.

Then how come no GST is paid on a YYZ-YVR-HKG ticket?

GST is shown as "XT" under the taxes box of the ticket.

I had a travel agent price a MHD itinerary once, and no GST was charged on the domestic segments since it is an international ticket.

Same thing here, Shareholder. I have bought international tickets YYC/YEG-YYZ-Overseas and there never any GST charged on the fare itself, only on the AIF http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I go YYC-YYZ-GRU and don't pay GST.

Maybe the GST is only charged if one makes a stopover in a domestic connecting city? I really have no idea, though.

I have never been charged GST on an MHD (except on the airport improvement fee, ie on $10 AIF I paid .70 GST on my last MHD with stopover in Toronto).

GST is only payable if the domestic portion breaks out in the fare calculation. If the fare basis is origin-destination, then it is zero-rated for GST.