monicapileggi

I called Air France to book a FF miles flight in May to Italy. I just earned 50,000 miles.

I was quoted $283 for the taxes. Does this sound reasonable? This is my first time using FF miles.

Thanks!!

Monica

rkkwan

That's high. Should be about $100. What miles are you using? Flying Blue, or DL/NW/CO's?

Intrepid1

I assume this is for a flight out of Dulles, right? Does this fee include the airport taxes, government-imposed security charges, etc.????

StCirq

Sounds high to me. I just booked a March RT ticket to Paris and paid $137.00 in taxes "and other fees." They do add up, but still I think that's high.

rkkwan

For comparison, I'm flying next week IAH-CDG-FCO on AF and then MXP-EWR-IAH on CO, using CO Miles. Taxes is $53.96.

Last time I used miles to Europe, it was going to Bristol in England. That time it was about $100, using CO miles on CO.

ms_go

I recently redeemed miles for two 50,000 award tickets, Chicago-Nice, for travel next summer. Taxes and fees were $69.98 per ticket. This is on United.

Gardyloo

According to the tables at this great site - http://www.consolidatedtravel.com.au/qf/taxes.asp - Air France is adding €32 per long-haul segment for a fuel surcharge, so that might be part of the bump. Still seems awuful high, though.

ira

Hi m,

From the AF site, a RT JFK/FCO flight in May has $97.86 in taxes and other fees added to the price.

Is someone charging you sales tax?

monicapileggi

Yes, this is a flight from Dulles via Paris to Florence; then Venice to Dulles via Paris. Is it possible that I'm doing "multi" trips, rather than just round trip? On the Air France web site, for this specific itinerary, it has about $100 for the taxes. I wonder if I should see if Alitalia or Delta (also partners with Flying Blue) have better rates, although I'm not sure yet of their schedules. I'll also have to get clarification from Air France. I was told "taxes and fees."

I wonder if it's still worth booking this since May is considered a "high" season and I could never find a flight for $283. Comments?

Lastly, has anyone ever used FF miles and upgraded their paid ticket for first class?

Thanks!!

Monica

rkkwan

I suggest you register at Flyertalk.com and ask about it in their Flying Blue forum. $283 is just not right for an award ticket.

Budman

My flight JFK-MUC/ZRH-JFK this May was $99 for taxes. I used vouchers. I don't know if that had anything to do with anything or not.

monicapileggi

Thanks kkwan for the web site. Will go there right now!

Monica

Flyboy

I agree it sounds like too much. That much should easily cover two tickets; not one. As for May travel, things can already be getting pretty steep by then and it would be uncommon to get into the $800 range (though one might do better; you just never know). I paid more than $1,100 over Memorial Day weekend for a coach ticket to Paris in 2005 (but it was that famous rebate deal out of Rockford, so I only had $299 net into it myself.)

Flyboy

Make that "it would NOT be uncommon"....

monicapileggi

Well I just called Air France after looking at the consolidatedtravel.com web site. Got a lot of run around. I was told that since I booked from their location in CANADA that I was quoted Canadian dollars, although they converted to USD. Then I was told if I were to go to the Air France office in Washington DC and picked up the tickets, they would only be $205. That's still high based on all of your comments. I posted a message on the fliertalk.com web site and received 1 comment that yes, it's high, but....

I told the woman that it's almost not worth trying to earn FF miles if I have to pay this much when others have paid on average $100.

I plan to call and ask for a supervisor tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Monica

Brian_in_Charlotte

When you talk to them tomorrow, ask for a complete breakdown of the $205. That should shed some light on this.

rkkwan

When you call, ask them to:

1. break it down the $200+ for you;

2. ask them the taxes and fees if they put you on KL, AZ, CO, DL or NW;

3. explain why someone (i.e. I) can pay $58 in taxes for using CO miles and flying on AF from the US to Italy, while you need to pay much more.

I'd be interested to know the answer.

Finally, consider switching to a different FF program.

AAFrequentFlyer

I reserved an award ticket in first class, flying all over South America, and the taxes and fees were $135.

Tampa-Miami-Rio-Sao Paulo-Montevideo-Buenos Aires-Santiago-Easter Island-Lima-Miami-Tampa

Will you do us a favor and ask AF to break down the charges and then post it here?

Something is not right.........

Lori

I was quoted over $200 in taxes on British Airways for a FF flight from Phoenix to London for April. I thought that was excessive since 2 years ago it was about $98. I finally decided they were charging in Pounds (and the dollar is still weak against the pound)and converting it to dollars, altho I never did get a reasonable answer from BA. Due to a change in plans I decided to hang on to my FF BA miles for awhile, but at the rate they are charging for "taxes/fees/security" they won't be worth much I guess.

Lori

I forgot to say my quote from BA was for regular coach (cattle class).