Learn how taxes and fees increase your airfare

Learn how taxes and fees increase your airfare

The fares you see listed on SmarterTravel.com's website are for
round-trip travel, unless it's noted otherwise. Almost always, the
prices don't include most of the taxes and fees that you're required
to pay. On domestic flights, these additional charges can total up to
$40, and on international flights, up to $100 or more.

In general, when you see a listed fare, it includes a 7.5 percent
federal excise tax, as well as fees levied by the airline, including
fuel charges, if there are any. However, it does not include
additional government-imposed taxes.

On domestic flights within the continental U.S., you can expect to
pay:

* a $3.10 federal segment fee for each takeoff
* $3 to $4.50 in airport charges (known as Passenger Facility
Charges or PFCs) for each takeoff, depending on the specific airports
you fly from, up to a maximum of $18
* a $2.50 security fee for each takeoff from a U.S. airport, up to
a maximum of $10

For typical round-trip domestic flights, the taxes and fees work out
to:

Nonstop flights:

* $6.20 in federal segment fees
* $6 to $9 in airport charges
* $5 security fee Total: $17.20 to $20.20

Connecting flights with one stop:

* $12.40 in federal segment fees
* $12 to $18 in airport charges
* $10 security fee Total: $34.40 to $40.40

For domestic flights beginning or ending in Alaska or Hawaii, you can
also expect to pay a Travel Facilities Tax of up to $13.80 per
round-trip.

For international itineraries, foreign and domestic fees can total up
to $200, depending on your routing and destination. U.S.
government-imposed charges include a $13.70 international departure
tax, a $13.70 international arrival tax, and $15.10 in immigration and
customs fees. Foreign taxes will fluctuate based on the prevailing
exchange rate. As an example, passengers departing from London
(Heathrow), England, can expect to pay departure taxes of between 28
and 48 British pounds (approximately $44 to $75). So, for your
round-trip ticket to the U.K., your taxes and fees will total between
$86 and $117.

Sometimes, you won't be able to book a fare at the price we've listed,
even when taxes and fees are taken into account. That could be because
seats are sold out at the lowest rate, or because your travel plans
don't meet the rules of the specific fare, which may require travel on
certain days or a minimum stay.

In addition, charges for optional services can sometimes raise the
price you pay. These include a $10 to $25 charge for using paper
tickets on certain airlines if e-tickets are available, a service fee,
$5 or $6 per ticket, for booking at an online travel agency such as
Expedia, Orbitz, or Travelocity, and a minimum $19.95 shipping charge
for paper tickets from these same companies.

http://www.smartertravel.com/air/res...7&u=SL4F6B4DC5


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