Taxes & Fees Rant

I have always noticed in advertised fares on the television, online and at travel agencies "deal boards" that you have to be careful about what is actually a "good deal". Generally the advertised fares are shown without taxes or are shown from a different departure city than what is close to you, so the actual fare you would be paying is far higher than advertised. I really dislike this, it always strikes me as a poor advertising and misrepresentation.

You will see this great advertised fare, seven days at a five star all inclusive including flight for X amount of dollars, and you think - Wow what a great fare! Until you dig a little deeper and realize if you include the taxes that fare is actually double the advertised rate. You then look at other rates including all taxes and realize it is no deal at all. My wish is that they would at least show the cost of taxes when they advertise these so called "great deals." As often I give people a quote for their trip, including all taxes and fees and they come to me, saying I saw this great deal on tv for this trip etc.. I then have to explain to them that the price advertised was not including all the fees and therefore does not always make it a great deal.

I realize that most things advertised in flyers and on tv do not show the taxes, but generally we all know the percentage of tax that will be charged (ie. gst, pst). However with travel there are a variety of fees and taxes that vary across the board, therefore very difficult to estimate, as every hotel and airline charges something different.