Why ‘Free’ Airline Tickets Cost So Much?

Thursday, 28 April 2011 | by Pat's Picks

If they’re “free,” then why do they cost so much? The Wall Street Journal‘s Scott McCartney explains why frequent-flier tickets cost so much these days. In addition to taxes, international airlines charge fuel surcharges on frequent-flier awards, a practice that US airlines have, so far, avoided. That means a British Airways ticket from London to New York bought with 50,000 miles will still cost you $566.50 in cash.