Taxes, Fees, and Surcharge Makeup Most of an Actual Ticket!

Getting ready to go to Spain this year for the Duathlon World Championships in Gijon. So, I found myself doing that ticket searching dance we all do when looking for the best deal possible. Turns out that this time around, Continental Airlines earned my money as they had the best prices, available schedule to pick from and connections with the least amount of layover and overall flight times. Now, I have flown internationally many, many times and despite that, I can't say I have ever looked real close at the ticket receipt as I just consider the bottom line price naturally. So I have to admit I was a bit surprised when I looked at the detailed receipt Continental sends you and noticed how truly cheap the base air fair was.. and how crazy exorbitant the fees and taxes were.

Here are the actual shocking numbers direct from their receipt:

Base Airfare: 383.00
U.S. Customs User Fee: 5.50
U.S. Immigration User Fee: 7.00
Spain Security Tax: 3.70
Fuel Surcharge: 420.00
U.S. Passenger Facility Charge: 13.50
U.S. APHIS User Fee: 5.00
U.S. Federal Transportation Tax: 32.60
September 11th Security Fee: 7.50
Spain Departure Charge: 15.70
--------------------
Total: $893.50

The airfare you paid on this itinerary totals: 383.00 USD
The taxes, fees, and surcharges paid total: 510.50 USD

I was shocked to see the actual breakdown and notice that 57% of this ticket price goes to taxes, fees, and surcharges! Really, is there much more to say?

Oh, yes there is... Continental Airlines charges a whopping $200 for a bike case.. ONE WAY!

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