RTW taxes = $1000?

I just received an email from a travel agent regarding Star Alliance
RTW tickets:
--------------------
34,000 miles will start at $4,689

Now those prices do not include taxes or fees. And I can already tell
you that taxes will be over $1,000 on top of those prices.
--------------------
Is that possible? I'm planning about 10 flights (mostly Asia, a
couple Africa and Middle East), and she's trying to make her itinerary
seem competitively priced. I thought taxes would be more in the $500
ballpark.

-Jake

" wrote:

34,000 miles will start at $4,689

Now those prices do not include taxes or fees. And I can already tell
you that taxes will be over $1,000 on top of those prices. Is that possible?

Have you looked at the details of a domestic ticket lately? The various air
taxes & fees make your phone bills and car rental bills seem reasonable. It's
not unusual to see $75 worth of taxes & fees on a $350 ticket. Scale that up to
$3500 and you're already at $750. Then add the fact that international tickets
get even more taxes and airport fees and $1000 isn't unusual.

wrote in message
...
I just received an email from a travel agent regarding Star Alliance
RTW tickets:
--------------------
34,000 miles will start at $4,689

Now those prices do not include taxes or fees. And I can already tell
you that taxes will be over $1,000 on top of those prices.
--------------------
Is that possible? I'm planning about 10 flights (mostly Asia, a
couple Africa and Middle East), and she's trying to make her itinerary
seem competitively priced. I thought taxes would be more in the $500
ballpark.

-Jake

Simple answer - Yes.

Rick Blaine wrote:

" wrote:


34,000 miles will start at $4,689

Now those prices do not include taxes or fees. And I can already tell
you that taxes will be over $1,000 on top of those prices. Is that possible?


Have you looked at the details of a domestic ticket lately? The various air
taxes & fees make your phone bills and car rental bills seem reasonable. It's
not unusual to see $75 worth of taxes & fees on a $350 ticket. Scale that up to
$3500 and you're already at $750.

I wouldn't expect a tickeet to have 10 times the fees at 10 times the
price. For example, the USDA fee for entering the US is the same for
all ticket prices.

"Mr. Travel" wrote:

Have you looked at the details of a domestic ticket lately? The various air
taxes & fees make your phone bills and car rental bills seem reasonable. It's
not unusual to see $75 worth of taxes & fees on a $350 ticket. Scale that up to
$3500 and you're already at $750.

I wouldn't expect a tickeet to have 10 times the fees at 10 times the
price. For example, the USDA fee for entering the US is the same for
all ticket prices.

USDA fees do not apply to _domestic_ tickets. Ticket taxes on the other hand are
assesed at a percent of the ticket. According to USA Today, taxes in 2002
accounted for 26% of the price of a domestic ticket. Can you imagine what they
are now?

And as I said, when you add international fees (like te USDA inspection fee),
it's easy to see $1000 in taxes and fees on a $3500 ticket.

http://www.thestreet.com/funds/ericgillin/10042197.html

Rick Blaine wrote:
"Mr. Travel" wrote:


Have you looked at the details of a domestic ticket lately? The various air
taxes & fees make your phone bills and car rental bills seem reasonable. It's
not unusual to see $75 worth of taxes & fees on a $350 ticket. Scale that up to
$3500 and you're already at $750.

I wouldn't expect a tickeet to have 10 times the fees at 10 times the
price. For example, the USDA fee for entering the US is the same for
all ticket prices.


USDA fees do not apply to _domestic_ tickets. Ticket taxes on the other hand are
assesed at a percent of the ticket.

I agree, "taxes" are often a percentage.

However, I was responding to the post's statements regarding a ticket
costing 10 times as much would have 10 times the amount in taxes and fees.


What about the PFC's, fuel surcharges, exit fess, security fees, and
other fees?

AFAIK, these are NOT mainly based on base ticket cost.

"Mr. Travel" wrote:

I agree, "taxes" are often a percentage.

However, I was responding to the post's statements regarding a ticket
costing 10 times as much would have 10 times the amount in taxes and fees.


What about the PFC's, fuel surcharges, exit fess, security fees, and
other fees? AFAIK, these are NOT mainly based on base ticket cost.

True, but me thinks you are splitting hairs. The OP was questioning whether
approximately $1000 for taxes & fees was to be expected on a $3500+ ticket.
While PFCs and security fees are a set amount, on international tickets they get
augmented by a bunch of other fees & taxes and taxes. Is it linear when compared
to a domestic ticket? No. Is it in the ballpark? Yes.

"Mr. Travel" wrote in message
...
Rick Blaine wrote:
"Mr. Travel" wrote:


Have you looked at the details of a domestic ticket lately? The various
air
taxes & fees make your phone bills and car rental bills seem reasonable.
It's
not unusual to see $75 worth of taxes & fees on a $350 ticket. Scale
that up to
$3500 and you're already at $750.

I wouldn't expect a tickeet to have 10 times the fees at 10 times the
price. For example, the USDA fee for entering the US is the same for all
ticket prices.


USDA fees do not apply to _domestic_ tickets. Ticket taxes on the other
hand are
assesed at a percent of the ticket.

I agree, "taxes" are often a percentage.

However, I was responding to the post's statements regarding a ticket
costing 10 times as much would have 10 times the amount in taxes and fees.


What about the PFC's, fuel surcharges,

How does fuel surcharge become to a TAX?

tim

tim..... wrote:

"Mr. Travel" wrote in message
...

Rick Blaine wrote:

"Mr. Travel" wrote:



Have you looked at the details of a domestic ticket lately? The various
air
taxes & fees make your phone bills and car rental bills seem reasonable.
It's
not unusual to see $75 worth of taxes & fees on a $350 ticket. Scale
that up to
$3500 and you're already at $750.

I wouldn't expect a tickeet to have 10 times the fees at 10 times the
price. For example, the USDA fee for entering the US is the same for all
ticket prices.


USDA fees do not apply to _domestic_ tickets. Ticket taxes on the other
hand are
assesed at a percent of the ticket.

I agree, "taxes" are often a percentage.

However, I was responding to the post's statements regarding a ticket
costing 10 times as much would have 10 times the amount in taxes and fees.


What about the PFC's, fuel surcharges,


How does fuel surcharge become to a TAX?

tim



Who said it was a tax?