Just wondering if when an airfare is quoted, do most people on this site include the taxes, surcharges, etc in the price quoted? Sometimes you hear of great sales on this or that airline and then when you actually get down to booking, that great price grows considerably when all the extra costs are added on. It makes it hard to compare prices.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
524 posts
Every site I've used (which are many) tell you whether the price they initially quote includes taxes and fees. And certainly by the time you select the itinerary, you are shown the full amount (before you commit to buying).
I prefer the site that show the total amount right away. It's a pain to go through 2-3 steps after choosing a "plus taxes and fees" rate only to find than the full price quoted is higher than other sites.
Your question illustrates the importance of comparing total fare costs from one source with the next.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7570 posts
There has been some pressure for sites to show the total price, including all taxes and fees, as a result, more and more sites will either show the entire price initially, provide an estimate, or show the total price when you "select" the fare. This is as a result of a number of consumer complaints, basically ticket sellers low balling a fare, then bumping it with fees. In all cases, a quoted price should indicate whether it includes fees and taxes.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5538 posts
I always include tax when I tell someone what I paid for a ticket.
Unfortunately, not all sites do. For example, the United airlines website used to show prices including taxes upfront. Around September or October, they modified their site so that it initally shows prices before taxes. It is not until you actually select a flight that you see the total. I find that really annoying; I've complained to them.
I use sidestep.com (or kayak.com) a lot when I am searching for flight options and it seems that they show the total including taxes.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
I always include the full price too because that's what you are paying.
It's interesting, however, that taxes, fees, charges and surcharges are nearly as much as the price of the ticket. No wonder the airlines are going broke, imagine what 100% sales tax would do to retail sales.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7570 posts
I would not refer to the adders as "sales tax", there is of course taxes, but a fuel surcharge for example goes directly to the airline and is a way of collecting revenue, without "increasing fares". Many of the other fees are tacked on by Airports, both here and at your destination, or by Federal agencies. Of course, as mentioned, what you pay in the end is the real total price, regardless of fees. Note that fees also vary wildly between Airlines, and by route, so in no way does comparing fares less fees work.
I also note that no one has mentioned yet fees that may not be included in the price you pay at the time of ticketing. While more prevalent on domestic flights, these days baggage fees, drinks, food, etc. can bump up your end cost by another $50 to $100 round trip pretty easily.