Why are SQ taxes so high?

[Foreigner]

I have put on waitlist seat for trip to Asia ex SYD. OW and the taxes are over A$800 yet another booking using USDM from SYD to USA via Asia /IST for outward, then via Asia for return has total taxes of US$178 only! Cannot fathom SQ taxes.

 

[cove]

It is more likely that US Dividend Miles folks back in the US don't really know where the places you are travelling to are on the map. It looks like the system my friends have been using to get from Perth to the US or UK is about to finish due to the merger with AA.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Real taxes, paid to governments, are the exactly the same for all airlines flying the same route/class.
The difference is probably carrier imposed fees (~profit) like YQ fuel surcharges
Never confuse real taxes & carrier imposed fees. Those that do are being taken as fools by airlines.

 

[Foreigner]

Real taxes, paid to governments, are the exactly the same for all airlines flying the same route/class.
The difference is probably carrier imposed fees (~profit) like YQ fuel surcharges
Never confuse real taxes & carrier imposed fees. Those that do are being taken as fools by airlines.

That makes more sense.

 

[Bjet]

about $900 tax to Europe too

 

[Mwenenzi]

Never confuse real taxes & carrier imposed fees. Those that do are being taken as fools by airlines.

about $900 tax to Europe too

Would doubt if all the governments in total charge $900 tax on a SQ flight to Europe:- Australia - Singapore - Europe

 

[Alanslegal]

about $900 tax to Europe too

And even if flying in Y too!!!!!!

 

[anat0l]

I have put on waitlist seat for trip to Asia ex SYD. OW and the taxes are over A$800 yet another booking using USDM from SYD to USA via Asia /IST for outward, then via Asia for return has total taxes of US$178 only! Cannot fathom SQ taxes.

Are you saying that a SYD-Asia one-way trip on SQ attracts $800 of taxes?

If that were in Y, that leaves a base fare of around $50 - $300 or so. I can't believe SQ YQ is that high.

 

[whatmeworry]

When did SQ become as bad as QF?

 

[markis10]

Are you saying that a SYD-Asia one-way trip on SQ attracts $800 of taxes?

If that were in Y, that leaves a base fare of around $50 - $300 or so. I can't believe SQ YQ is that high.

Its not, Australia Asia is $120-158 USD depending on class of travel. SIN Europe is $183-222 USD.

 

[anat0l]

Its not, Australia Asia is $120-158 USD depending on class of travel. SIN Europe is $183-222 USD.

So where does, or could, the taxes of $800 one-way to Asia come from, as stated by the OP? Even if that was in F I doubt it could be that high.

The figures you state are far more in circumspect of what I was thinking. Maybe an inch higher.

 

[markis10]

So where does, or could, the taxes of $800 one-way to Asia come from, as stated by the OP? Even if that was in F I doubt it could be that high.

The figures you state are far more in circumspect of what I was thinking. Maybe an inch higher.

No idea, official YQ breakdown for POS = Australia



Route
New surcharge from 08 March 2012 for Point of Sale Australia
Per sector
Suites, First Class
Business Class
Economy Class
A. Between Singapore and South East Asia (Brunei/Thailand/Philippines/Malaysia
Indonesia/Vietnam/Cambodia/Myanmar)
B. SQ code share flights with MI
between Singapore and South East Asia
C. Between REP and PNH/DAD D. Between DXB and CAI
E. Between IST and ATH
F. Between MUC and MAN
G. SQ code share flights on other airlines
• On YVR-SFO v.v.
• Within USA (domestic)
• Within New Zealand (domestic)
• Within U.K. (domestic)
• Within Germany (domestic)
• Intra-Europe
• Within South Africa (domestic)
USD 64
USD 55
USD 38
A. Between Singapore and
- South West Pacific (Australia/New Zealand) - China/Taiwan/Korea
- South Asian Subcontinent
(India/Bangladesh/Pakistan/Sri Lanka/ Nepal/Maldives)
- Middle East
(Egypt/Saudi Arabia/United Arab Emirates)
B. SQ code share flights with MI
between Singapore and China/Taiwan/ South Asian Subcontinent
USD 158
USD 140
USD 120
A. Between Singapore and Europe / South Africa B. Between FRA and JFK
C. Between DME and IAH
D. Between SEL and SFO
E. Between BCN and SAO
F. SQ code share flights on other airlines
• FRA/LON - Canada v.v.
• FRA/LON - USA v.v.
USD 222
USD 208
USD 183
A. Between Singapore and USA (LAX/SFO/JFK/EWR/IAH)
B. Between SIN and SAO
USD 334
USD 321
USD 302
Between Europe and Australia / New Zealand
(Applicable to transfer fights via Singapore only, not involving stopovers.)
USD 329
USD 309
USD 273

 

[Cruiser Elite]

So where does, or could, the taxes of $800 one-way to Asia come from, as stated by the OP? Even if that was in F I doubt it could be that high.

NFI - and you are correct - SQ taxes for F MEL-PVG:



And F PEK-MEL:

 

[Foreigner]

Sorry, that is my mistake...

That was for 2 pax.

 

[Mwenenzi]

NFI - and you are correct - SQ taxes for F MEL-PVG:
View attachment 20579

And F PEK-MEL:
View attachment 20580

Surcharges are not taxes. They are normal airline operating costs. For award flight they ~ profit

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Surcharges are not taxes. They are normal airline operating costs. For award flight they ~ profit

Indeed you may be correct - but I think it was this total amt that OP was referring to - correct OP?

 

[Foreigner]

Indeed you may be correct - but I think it was this total amt that OP was referring to - correct OP?

Absolutely...that is the amount i have to be out of pocket.

 

[serfty]

Indeed you may be correct - but I think it was this total amt that OP was referring to - correct OP?

I am guessing the OP was simply using 'taxes' for the sake of brevity. (I am wondering if it was posted with a tablet or small device where terseness is becoming normal.)

I try to use +++ or T/L/S when referring to "Taxes, Levies and Surcharges".

FWIW, below is the cost breakdown for a SQ Business revenue fare MEL-PVG on SIN. The TLS comes to $807.72 with the Carrier imposed fuel fines a whopping $650!

That leaves "real" taxes of about $157 with the AU departure tax making the biggest component at $55.

Fare 1: Carrier SQ JPR MEL to SHA (rules) Passenger type ADT, round trip fare, booking code J Covers MEL-SIN (Business), SIN-PVG (Business)	AU$2,439.50
Fare 2: Carrier SQ JPR SHA to MEL (rules) Passenger type ADT, round trip fare, booking code J Covers PVG-SIN (Business), SIN-MEL (Business)	AU$2,439.50
Singapore Passenger Service Charge (SG)	AU$16.20
Singapore Passenger Security Service Charge (OO)	AU$5.40
SQ YQ surcharge (YQ)	AU$627.20
SQ YQ surcharge (YQ)	AU$22.40
Australian Passenger Movement Charge (AU)	AU$55.00
Australian Safety & Security Surcharge (WG)	AU$4.22
Australian Int'l Passenger Service Charge (WY)	AU$16.80
SQ YR surcharge (YR)	AU$25.00
Australian Int'l Passenger Service Charge (WY)	AU$16.80
People's Republic of China Airport Fee (CN)	AU$17.70
Subtotal per passenger	AU$5,685.72
Number of passengers	x1
Total airfare & taxes	AU$5,685.72

• Changes to this ticket will incur a penalty fee.

Fare construction (can be useful to travel agents)
MEL SQ X/SIN SQ SHA 2241.94JPR SQ X/SIN SQ MEL 2241.94JPR NUC 4483.88 END ROE 1.088117 XT 55.00AU 4.22WG 33.60WY 5.40OO 16.20SG 17.70CN 649.60YQ 25.00YR

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Absolutely...that is the amount i have to be out of pocket.

And I am with you on this one brother - AFAIAC $ amt I pay for redemption booking which includes T.L.S. is Taxes to me - that's what jumps out of my sky rocket - that is all that concerns me.

Are carriers profiteering from T.L.S.'s? Probably - but I am a minnow - I have no control - its all Taxes to me and ALL tax deductible so some of the pain disappears. I just love crying into my Krug in SQ F re the exorbitant Taxes I have just been skun for - but guessing I won't be taking many of those $$s with me when I go long box so its all part of the game - albeit a slightly painful part.

 

[serfty]

And I am with you on this one brother - AFAIAC $ amt I pay for redemption booking which includes T.L.S. is Taxes to me - that's what jumps out of my sky rocket - that is all that concerns me.

Are carriers profiteering from T.L.S.'s? Probably - but I am a minnow - I have no control - its all Taxes to me and ALL tax deductible so some of the pain disappears. I just love crying into my Krug in SQ F re the exorbitant Taxes I have just been skun for - but guessing I won't be taking many of those $$s with me when I go long box so its all part of the game - albeit a slightly painful part.

I can be important for many status chasers - and it's becoming moreso.

For example, in the USA, airlines are beginning to apply minimum spend requirements in order to achieve certain status levels.

The Government has stepped in and ensured that Carrier surcharges must be counted for such spend: (Medallion Qualification Dollars)

Medallion Qualification Dollars: Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) are the sum total of the SkyMiles member’s spend on Delta-marketed flights (flight numbers that include the “DL” airline code), inclusive of the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges, but exclusive of government-imposed taxes and fees.