Every airline assesses some amount for taxes, fees and/or fuel surcharges on top of the miles it charges for award tickets. These can range from as low as $2.50 for a domestic award, to a few hundred dollars, or can sometimes add up to a thousand dollars or more per award ticket. Some airlines charge close-in fees (for tickets booked within 21 days of departure, usually $25-$75), and some charge award redemption fees ($20-$75). Again, though, one of the really valuable things we do for you is determine the best strategy to minimize these additional fees, taxes and surcharges, which can otherwise add up to thousands of dollars out of your pocket.