USVI-On-Line

I think I asked this but I forget...........my brain is too overloaded
We are headed (crossing my fingers) to Jost and STJ Sept 8 -15.
Q is when I am checking prices taxes seemed high
For 2 tickets at 79.00 each way it was 441.00
almost 100.00 in taxes.
I normally book with Expedia as opposed to airline
Is that high for taxes?

The last two flights that I have booked have very high taxes. I investigated and was told that it was the airport that determined most of the tax. We just booked with Spirit for part of our flights next May. The tickets came to $412. The taxes were another $95. Just when you think you're getting a good fare!

We had the same experience with Spirit....thought we had snagged this great deal. Their taxes and fees sure seemed to be more than we usually pay...but I never looked into it any further...mia

Roe -

I'll try to explain this. I fly from ATL so all my explanations are assuming a flight originating in the ATL.

Delta charges about $18 in taxes to fly DIRECT into STT, Spirit charges approximately $60 in taxes to fly with one stop into STT.

The bulk of the difference is that Spirit adds the Departure tax of $30 into the "taxes and fees" portion. I'm not sure about Delta (as I've never flown them into STT). They either build departure tax into the ticket price (most likely) or you pay it upon depature. Departure tax is $15.10 each segment. So, now we're down to approximately $30 that Spirit is charging if you remove Departure tax from the equation.

Delta still charges less - $18 - than Spirit ($30) because Spirit is not a direct flight. Non-direct Delta flights to STT from ATL also charge approximately $30 for fees. There are some per segment fees that are charged, and a non-direct flight increases those.

Spirit has still been the best deal going, even with the departure being tacked on to the ticket price. Congrats on your good deal.

the most pricey part is the intl tax and we are not even flying intl.
there are no stops just from ft. lauderdale to STT, which to me is best. i always have problems in san juan and get bumped or cancelled especially during sept or oct.

For April (our first ever Spirit Air trip) the fees for 2 tickets were:

15.00 USD, US Security Tax NR Pax Types
58.00 USD, US FET
10.00 USD, US Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
24.00 USD, US Passenger Facility Charge

I look at total cost of tickets. Different airlines choose to show fees in different ways. I think the real motivator here is to inform consumers on the difference between their cost and what the airline is paid.

Spirit Air was okay. The biggest problem that we had out of DC was that they are in the old terminal in Reagan National. The security lines there is easily 3x worse than in the new terminal. Definately arrive 2 hours before departure.

My airline order of preference is:
United - rare direct flights
American - via MIA or SJU (I know, bucking the trend here, but we carry-on)
US Air - via Charlotte (frequently booked as a United code share)
Spirit - cheap

Cheers, RickG