“Oh but it’s tax and that is not the airline’s fault”, is a frequent retort. Nonsense. The airline pays taxes on tires, too, but they pay those.

I use points a lot, and always have the same experience: the “excuse charges” (taxes, airport fees, terrorism fees, etc) amount to much more than the entire cost on Westjet, or out of Buffalo.

We are conditioned to this by tax not being displayed with the price of goods. In Europe, when an article says “$19.95″, it costs exactly that, not a higher amount. Also in Europe, airlines are not allowed to publish fake fees.

Normally being the last one to call for regulation, I feel that here, some consumer protection may be warranted.

And until that time, Edward, do keep pointing out these things. Education helps, too.