Air Miles ripoff? They pad Nav Can/Ins fees

[piplish]

I redeemed Airmiles to get a "free" return flight from Calgary to Victoria. When I booked I was a little alarmed that I had to pay $141.33 in fees but didn't think too much about it as I figured it'd be the same booking via Westjet anyways. Airmiles fees are:
AIR MILES ADMINISTRATION FEE......................25.00
CANADA AIR SECURITY CHARGE.........................9.33
AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT FEE-AIF.......................31.00
NAV CANADA FUEL AND SECURITY SURCHARGE...........76.00
TAXES/SERVICE CHARGES AND ADMIN FEE
AIR MILES FEES TOTAL.........................................141. 33

I subsequently was checking Westjet seat sales and for the same flight, Westjet fees are:
GST-HST: 19.22
AIF: 31.00
ATSC: 9.33
NAV/Ins: 36.00
Westjet Fees TOTAL: 95.55

So, I am essentially paying $45.78 extra in fees/taxes/surcharges by going thru Airmiles. Which essentially is the 65.00 difference, minus the $19.22 GST. Very strange.

I contacted Westjet asking why the difference but they didn't know. Called Airmiles and the CS rep I initially spoke to first said that it was what Westjet charges them, and that you get charged that if you book travel thru any points broker (she mentioned TD something or other). So I asked to speak with a supervisor and was put thru. Someone answered. I said hello loudly twice and then they hung up the phone. I had been on hold for about an hour just to get thru!

Anyone with any info on what the fee is for and who is charging it? I am very curious but don't have the time to sit on hold. Others have noticed the fee discrepency before booking as here:
http://www.bestairmiledeals.com/2007/05/25/are-airmiles-worth-collecting

Thanks for any info.

[HighFlyer]

$40+tax is the fuel surcharge. aeroplan charges this as well on its bookings despite the fact that revenue tickets are exempt from this.

[kostek]

There is no fuel surcharge for domestic flights.

[asdfvcx]

There is no fuel surcharge for domestic flights.
Technically, there are fuel surcharges for Air Canada domestic flights. Air Canada just includes them in the ticket price. But I believe for Aeroplan, you still need to pay the surcharges.

http://www.aircanada.com/shared/en/common/flights/pop_surcharge.html


I'm unsure if Westjet does the same.

[silicone]

SO they ripped me off for $40 and called it "Air Miles Canada Package". This was in addition to the $25 admin fee!! I have no idea what that first item is and already had to call once to cancel the insurance that I CLEARLY declined when first offered. Once again -- Air Miles = the worst loyalty reward program. I've been with them for 20 years and they've devalued my collected points numerous times.... it's fraud at its best.

[Pete_Coach]

SO they ripped me off for $40 and called it "Air Miles Canada Package". This was in addition to the $25 admin fee!! I have no idea what that first item is and already had to call once to cancel the insurance that I CLEARLY declined when first offered. Once again -- Air Miles = the worst loyalty reward program. I've been with them for 20 years and they've devalued my collected points numerous times.... it's fraud at its best.

Dem buggers....teach them a lesson and give me your miles:cheesygri
Did you forget the old adage "there ain't no "free" ride"?

[Avatar]

Is it Air Miles or Aeroplan ?

[daisy dukes]

I booked an AirMiles ticket from YYZ-JFK on AA last year and the taxes were $240/person (plus 1100 AM). A ticket purchased directly from AA would have cost $350.

The only reason I booked it was to burn some AM and I earned 1000 AA miles for the round trip. :rolleyes:

In summary: AirMiles = totally useless

[coleworld]

Airmiles is a ripoff. Just use them on Gift cards and thats that.

Airmiles charges taxes on Westjets Full fare charge so lets say a one way flight from YYZ to YVR is $109 sale price that day, they still charge you the tax on (for ex) $299 one way or whatever.

its a total scam but they are in their legal right, I assume...

[FerrisB]

Airmiles is a ripoff. Just use them on Gift cards and thats that.

Airmiles charges taxes on Westjets Full fare charge so lets say a one way flight from YYZ to YVR is $109 sale price that day, they still charge you the tax on (for ex) $299 one way or whatever.

its a total scam but they are in their legal right, I assume...

That's ridiculous, and is no benefit to them since they don't make money from collecting taxes anyways. Weird. Why not give members the best deal possible?

[Sandie5]

Yes, I hate Airmiles now. I redeemed some for Blue Jay tickets and it's only good for lousy teams (no Yankees, Red Sox etc.), lousy dates (midweek normally) and can't be carried over to next year.

From now on I'm just redeeming for groceries at Metro where I'll get the most bang for the buck.

What a rip off on those AM trips!

[bilibulu]

I said this from day one.

AM is a waste of time. It is foolish is collect them. It is even more foolish to use them for flights.

[piplish]

I said this from day one.

AM is a waste of time. It is foolish is collect them. It is even more foolish to use them for flights.

Specific, helpful information is useful. Insults are not.