Why coach
 

Seems like a lot of contests on websites offer free travel, but nearly always in coach. I am not sure about you, but "winning" Hong Kong" in coach is not a big deal, nor is it a very tolorable win for someone 6', 225lbs! Why do you think the airlines drawings, major hotels, and others pick coach...not even business???

Because it costs them little to nothing for the air travel.

It surprises me that for some contests the company has to spend more money marketing the contest than on actual prizes.

PS:
Just noticed, this is my 600th post!!

[This message has been edited by Tute84 (edited 02-26-2000).]

Tute is right, of course. In any case, most people will think "yipee, I've won a trip to Australia", not "Oh no! I've got to spend 24 hours in the back of a cramped 747".

Whoever it was said "it is better to travel than to arrive", never flew British Airways.

I forget the actual words but I think it goes "be carefull what you wish for because you might get it"
We won 2 RT tics to Zurich (coach of course) the kicker was I got a 1099 from UAL for about
$3000+. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif

It's great to see that I am not the only one to NOT enter coach contests. Mostly because they are coach seats, but then also because you have to pay taxes on inflated values. You may when a coach seat, but may pay taxes on the value of a full coach "Y" seat.

If you want to avoid taxes on competition/game show/lottery prizes, move to Britain http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Taxing good fortune like that is an outrage.

Also exempt in Canada too, I believe...

Americans have a weird way of winning (and then immediately losing their money to the feds!) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Yes Canadians are exempt but I have never won enough to find out.

Tute84 was right it was his 600th post.

jack123, I am going rt from Cleveland to Zurich for $336, including all taxes. Just think, if you are in the 28% or higher tax bracket, you are paying more in taxes than if you just bought them at the prices I paid.

Perhaps the giving of the "prize" should pay the tax for you.

jack123: You can contest the charges to the IRS by proving that the fair market value for those tickets are less than $3000. Be sure to check with an accountant or a tax professional on the proper procedures - it's going to be a protracted battle. I think Djlawman has gone through this procedure before?