Ssides From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 4059 posts, RR: 23 Posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 2436 times:
I've booked several AAdvantage awards over the years, and I've never been officially told why you don't pay any taxes or fees on domestic award travel, but you do pay taxes on international award travel. Do all airlines do this, or just American? It is my assumption that foreign governments don't allow the airline to pay the taxes, but I'm not 100% sure. Does anyone know?
AirBuffalo From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 136 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 2419 times:
USAirways is the same way. Even now, when they advertise "no fees when booking online," they still charge for international.
A related question: Does the airline pay the fees for the no-charge domestic tickets? Or, are the "September 11th fee" and others only charged when the ticket is revenue?
Jeffrey1970 From United States of America, joined Apr 2001, 1335 posts, RR: 13 Reply 2, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 2408 times:
They can probably say that legally since they are not the ones who are charging you.
Ssides From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 4059 posts, RR: 23 Reply 3, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 2399 times:
I know WN charges the Sept. 11 security fee on Rapid Reward tickets, but no other fees.
BH346 From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 3265 posts, RR: 17 Reply 4, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 2387 times:
I was taxed for my WorldPerks award ticket to Osaka. Even with taxes, I paid only $85 compared to $1300 for a regular price ticket so I didn't really mind it.
Northwest Airlines - Some People Just Know How to Fly
Jeffrey1970 From United States of America, joined Apr 2001, 1335 posts, RR: 13 Reply 5, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 2372 times:
People need to remember it is not the airline that is charging you the tax. It is the government.
Ssides From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 4059 posts, RR: 23 Reply 6, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 2339 times:
No complaints here, just trying to figure out the difference between domestic and international. I'm fairly certain foreign laws prevent airlines from paying the passenger's share of the taxes, just like employers in the US are prohibited from paying an employee's share of payroll and income taxes.
AirframeAS From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 14150 posts, RR: 26 Reply 7, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 2294 times:
The reason why you have to pay Int'l fees is because of the customs fees and some other charges that I dont know of. It costs alot of money to fly into another country, not to mention the landing fees as well. And probably a small fuel surcharge.
A Safe Flight Begins With Quality Maintenance On The Ground.
EA CO AS From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 12595 posts, RR: 64 Reply 8, posted (9 years 4 months 1 week 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 2257 times:
Let's say you were traveling from the U.S. to Mexico on vacation. Here's an example of some of the various taxes collected on your airline tickets (depending on the destination within Mexico):
TRAVEL BETWEEN US AND MEXICO
-BASED ON US CURRENCY ONLY
-AY- U.S. SECURITY TAX. APPLICABLE TO DEPARTURES FROM
USA TO MEXICO, BUT NOT FROM MEXICO TO THE USA.
-XY- U.S. IMMIGRATION USER FEE....USD 7.00
-YC- U.S. CUSTOMS USER FEE..MEXICO EXEMPT EFF 01OCT97
-XA- U.S. APHIS-ANIMAL/PLANT/HEALTH INSPECT FEE.USD 3.10
-US- U.S. INTL TRANSPORTATION TX..USD 27.40/$13.70 EA WAY
-XO- MEXICAN INTL SALES TAX...PCT/APPLICATION AND
-XD- MEXICAN INTL DEPTR TAX
USD 22.17 - CUN
USD 24.61 - GDL
USD 24.31 - SJD
USD 23.46 - PVR
USD 20.17 - MZT
USD 19.75 - ZIH
USD 18.29 - ZLO
-UK- TOURISM TAX..............USD 19.53
Now, the carrier is required to collect these fees on your ticket and then pass them along to the governments involved. On a zero-value ticket (such as a mileage award), the fees are still charged by the U.S. and Mexican governments, and since the airline feels it would be inappropriate for them to pay for it (since your ticket is free, after all), the customer is responsible for them.
"In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem - government IS the problem." - Ronald Reagan
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From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 4059 posts, 
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