Why aren't taxes refunded on missed US domestic flights

[yochai]

On most cheap tickets between US/Europe and Israel, the actual ticket price can be 1$. The rest is YQ and airport taxes. Airport taxes can be very high, especially in the UK. IME, most airlines would refund the taxes on non refundable tickets if you ask for it, but they won’t chase after you. Therefore, it will always be worthwhile canceling a ticket you don’t plan on using. It can even work when you book a fake return to get a cheaper OW, and then cancel the way back. Though some LCC’s charge an administration fee for processing a refund which can be more then the actual refund.

[ReadsTheT&C]

I found a cached article from 2012 dealing with this question. I wouldn't take it as authoritative but it seems like the 9/11 Security Fees are the only thing that are refundable. http://cc.bingj.com/cache.aspx?q=fly+or+not+fly+airline+taxes+must+be+paid&d=4845453375705612&mkt=en-US&setlang=en-US&w=oVpi8FDbFWqbdUNefmdJRyDsFU11VpX5

[shapsam]

airline refunded, or DOT, or?...

From the airline. Just requested to cancel.
I believe they still refund taxes and YQ but the YQ is lower these days.

[Kobe Bryant]

NH refused to refund my taxes.

[ad120]

I booked:
2/26 JFK->LHR->AMS (BA)
3/01 AMS->PHL->LGA (AA)

I booked via STA Travel and paid $280.00. The fare price was just $60 of the total amount.

I no showed to my first flight. Considering the tickets were AA stock purchased from a travel agent, what would be the best way to get a tax refund?

[yaakovely]

A quick google search
https://www.travelweekly.com/Mark-Pestronk/Clients-have-path-recoup-taxes-from-unused-air-tickets
https://www.elliott.org/blog/surprise-government-says-airlines-not-required-to-refund-taxes-on-nonrefundable-tickets/

[chff]

Found this from Air Canada - not sure how current this is

[chevron]

@Dan  I honestly think this is worthy of a DDMS post or at least a Sunday round up mention.

I honestly would love to hear more from people who have had success in getting it refunded. Non refundable flights suck when you can't make it.

I think that airlines tried to hide the fact that you can get the refund because they rather that you feel forced to pay the change fee rather than cancel or skip flight.

[chevron]

Also what about milage redemption with taxes paid ? Shouldn't you get the taxes back?

[Dan]

@Dan  I honestly think this is worthy of a DDMS post or at least a Sunday round up mention.

I honestly would love to hear more from people who have had success in getting it refunded. Non refundable flights suck when you can't make it.

I think that airlines tried to hide the fact that you can get the refund because they rather that you feel forced to pay the change fee rather than cancel or skip flight.

Policy is clear. 9/11 fee is refundable. Everything else is based on sale of travel, not travel, so it's only refundable if the whole ticket is refunded.

[nucheiner]

What's the process to get a refund from the major US Airlines? Is it ez and worth the time?

[yochai]

What's the process to get a refund from the major US Airlines? Is it ez and worth the time?

On US domestic it’s 5.60$. Probably not worth the process

[rwllr]

Reading the fare rules of a BA flight and it seems they should refund taxes and other fees in case of no show or cancellation.

They will refund airport taxes on a flight you skipped, even if you didn't cancel it
There's a form to fill in online for this iirc

[Joel]

Was refunded taxes without asking for nonrefundable Easyjet tickets that i never showed up and flight was on schedule.