Can anybody explain, or refer me to a website that can break down the codes for taxes and fees on airline tickets? Specifically, the following:

Q $80.00
YQ $140.00
YC $5.00
XA $5.00
XY $7.00
AY $2.50
Total: $239.50

I had recently booked an international award ticket, and the "taxes" seemed quite excessive; much higher than taxes on a paid ticket in the past on another carrier, and even higher yet (about 10x) than a current award ticket to the same international destination with another carrier.

The airline simply refers to them as "taxes", but I think in reality there are some fees and/or surcharges rolled in too. When I asked the reservationist for a breakdown however, he could only give me the codes mentioned above.

I realize there could be some fees and surcharges rolled in with these taxes, and different airline policies could be at play on things like whether a fuel surcharge is imposed on an award ticket, or not. But I also have to wonder if some tax laws are being misinterpreted, and I'm being charged certain taxes that are not applicable on a free ticket.

Again, I think a start on unraveling this is if anyone can help decode the designations above.

Thanks!

try this:

http://www.consolidatedtravel.com.au/qf/taxes.asp

choose either By Country or By Airline

For US:

YC ARRIVAL CUSTOMS FEE

INT ARR
ALL PAX NO EXEMPTIONS
Exemptions
NOT EX CANADA/MEXICO
5.00 USD


XA ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE FEE

INT ARR
PLS REFER FFA FOR MORE DTLS
Exemptions
NOT EX CANADA
3.00 USD


XY IMMIGRATION INSPECTION FEE

INT ARR
ALL PAX NO EXCEMPTIONS
Exemptions

6.00 USD

AY FEDERAL SECURITY TAX

EACH DEPT
FOR 4 ENPLANEMENTS PER ROUND TRIP OR A MAXIMUM OF US10.00
Exemptions
PLEASE REFER TO CRS

YQ is usually an airline surcharge. Q is another airline one I am guessing. Which airline is this with?

Thanks for the reply. This is on THAI Airways, for a round trip itinerary on the nonstop JFK>BKK>JFK routing.

That is a nice link you provided, although a couple of taxes appear to need to be updated.

Anyway, it appears that NW is only charging the YC, XA, XY, and AY taxes on their award trips. I can book an award trip on NW to BKK, connecting through Tokyo Narita, and the charge for taxes is $19.50.

Looking up the codes for THAI, it is confusing because the listing for YQ is Fuel/War Insurance Surcharge of $70.00/sector for Intercontinental trips. But then, the Q code also states Fuel Surcharge and goes on to say: PER SECTOR
BTWN BKK-LAX/NYC VV EXCEPT BTWN BKK-LAX WHEN STOPOVER IS TAKEN IN OSA
The Q code is not used on any other routes besides the BKK-North America nonstops.

So the part I'm confused about is that it appears I am getting hit with two separate fuel surcharges of $70 and $40 for each sector, totaling $220.

Anybody know what other airline policies are regarding fuel surcharges on Award travel? It appears THAI does charge them, and Northwest does not.

Many (all?) FFPs outside US-based ones do charge fuel surcharge on awards which is a common FT peeve. Some are even much worse than the example given above.

Just wait until: Airfare: $0.01*!
* plus the following surcharges

- Pilot surcharge
- Cabin staff surcharge
- Aircraft surcharge
etc.

and the really big one:
- Executive bonus surcharge