Overview
When you purchase an airline ticket through Yourtravelbuddy, the total price you pay includes the base fare set by the airline as well as various government-imposed taxes, airport fees, and carrier surcharges. These additional charges are mandated by federal, state, and international authorities and are collected by airlines on behalf of the respective governments and agencies. Yourtravelbuddy is committed to full transparency in pricing, and all applicable taxes and fees are clearly disclosed before you complete your booking.
Government-Imposed Taxes
The following taxes are imposed by government authorities and are included in the total price of your airline ticket:
- U.S. Federal Excise Tax: A percentage-based tax applied to the base fare of domestic flights within the United States, as mandated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This tax is currently set at 7.5% of the domestic airfare.
- U.S. Flight Segment Tax: A per-segment fee charged for each domestic flight segment. A segment is defined as a single takeoff and landing. This fee is adjusted annually by the IRS based on inflation.
- International Departure Tax: A tax levied on passengers departing from the United States on international flights. This fee is collected by the U.S. government and varies depending on the destination.
- International Arrival Tax: Certain countries impose arrival taxes or entry fees on incoming passengers. These charges vary by destination and are included in your ticket price when applicable.
- Foreign Government Taxes: Many countries impose their own departure taxes, value-added taxes (VAT), or tourism levies. These are determined by the destination country and may change without notice.
Airport and Security Fees
- Passenger Facility Charge (PFC): A fee charged by individual airports to fund airport improvements and infrastructure projects. PFCs are capped at a maximum amount per enplanement and vary by airport.
- September 11th Security Fee: A per-segment fee imposed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to fund aviation security measures. This fee applies to all passengers on flights originating at U.S. airports.
- Airport Infrastructure Fees: Some airports, particularly international hubs, charge additional infrastructure or development fees that are passed through to passengers via the ticket price.
- Customs and Immigration Fees: For international travel, fees associated with customs processing and immigration inspection may be included in your ticket price.
- APHIS User Fee: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service charges a user fee for passengers arriving on international flights to the United States to fund agricultural inspection services.
Carrier-Imposed Surcharges
- Fuel Surcharges: Airlines may impose fuel surcharges to offset fluctuating fuel costs. These surcharges can vary significantly between airlines and routes, and they are included in the total fare displayed on our website. Fuel surcharges are particularly common on international long-haul routes and may represent a substantial portion of the total ticket price.
- Insurance Surcharges: Some airlines include a war risk insurance surcharge or security surcharge in the ticket price to cover the cost of enhanced insurance premiums related to aviation security risks.
Service Fees
In addition to government taxes and carrier surcharges, Yourtravelbuddy charges a service fee for the booking assistance and customer support we provide. Our service fees cover the cost of searching, comparing, and booking travel options on your behalf, as well as ongoing customer support throughout your travel experience. Service fees are applied on a per-passenger basis and are clearly disclosed prior to payment. For a complete breakdown of our service fee structure, please visit our Service Fees page.
How Taxes Are Calculated
The taxes and fees applied to your booking are calculated based on several factors, including:
- The origin and destination of your flight
- The number of flight segments in your itinerary
- Whether your travel is domestic or international
- The countries and airports included in your routing
- The airline operating the flight
- Current government tax rates and fee schedules at the time of booking
Tax rates and fee amounts are set by the relevant government authorities and may change periodically. The taxes displayed at the time of booking reflect the current rates in effect. Once your ticket is issued, the taxes included in your ticket are generally fixed, though some changes may apply in the event of itinerary modifications.
Our Transparency Commitment
Yourtravelbuddy is committed to providing clear and transparent pricing. When you search for flights on our website or speak with one of our agents, the total price displayed includes all applicable taxes, fees, and surcharges. There are no hidden charges. The price you see is the price you pay, plus our clearly stated service fee. We believe travelers deserve to know exactly what they are paying for, and we strive to present pricing in the most straightforward manner possible.
Contact Us
If you have questions about the taxes and fees included in your booking, our support team is available to provide a detailed breakdown. Contact us:
Phone: (800) 437-8197 (available 24/7)
Email: [email protected]
Address: 623 Main Ave. E Ste 102B, West Fargo, ND 58078