Las Vegas - day trip 'taxes'?

[Trikster]

OK, off to LV in a couple of weeks and are looking to book a day trip to the Grand Canyon whilst there (the whole helicoper, boat, skywalk, picnic thingy)

Have looked online at a couple that are interesting

But our travel operator, Virgin, also offer a couple (I know, probably with the same companies as I've already found) and whilst their costs are about the same they've also quoted a $45/person 'tax' payable on the day (no matter how much the trip is) The quotes I've got off the web make no mention of this...

So.. is this something we'll face no matter who we book through.. or is it a Virgin 'tax'?

TIA

[Benzman]

The Americans have a habit of not telling you about taxes. Usually theres 6% sales tax added to everything and they take it as granted that you know these things.

A right pain in the arse if you forget and go into a shop and you buy something that's priced at $9.95, get a $10 note (or bill as they call them) out of your wallet and the bimbo behind the counter says $10.55.

I suspect that's what Virgin are on about, I may be wrong, could this be a scam by Dick Branston to extract ever more money out of his punters.

[Trikster]

Familiar with the sales tax thingy, but as this is a fixed amount, $45, no matter whether we go for the $300 or $500 trip it does seem a little strange...

[steveo3002]

id consider dropping virgin , they no doubt mark up some other companys tour anyway

will be loads of trips to choose from localy or have a look on the net

[Benzman]

Trikster said:

Familiar with the sales tax thingy, but as this is a fixed amount, $45, no matter whether we go for the $300 or $500 trip it does seem a little strange...

That smells suspect to me. I think I would be telling Virgin to stick it and then book trips out with local operators whilst you're over there.

[K50 DEL]

I did it with Papillon tours, called them early morning to enquire about availability that day and got a hefty discount.
As I recall there were some tax type charges to pay also for fuel surcharge etc, can't remember the cost though.

[threesixty]

Trikster said:

OK, off to LV in a couple of weeks and are looking to book a day trip to the Grand Canyon whilst there (the whole helicoper, boat, skywalk, picnic thingy)

Have looked online at a couple that are interesting

But our travel operator, Virgin, also offer a couple (I know, probably with the same companies as I've already found) and whilst their costs are about the same they've also quoted a $45/person 'tax' payable on the day (no matter how much the trip is) The quotes I've got off the web make no mention of this...

So.. is this something we'll face no matter who we book through.. or is it a Virgin 'tax'?

TIA

That tax is for the local indians if i remember rightly, you'll be paying that no matter who you go with if you set foot on the ground in the canyon.

Skywalk gets very poor reviews and its a hell of a drive out there from vegas.

We choppered out and didn't land (apart from in the middle of nowhere to refuel) and that was excellent. we used maverick I think.

[COLONEL_SMITH]

You only have to pay the Indians if you go to the area around the Skywalk as that is on there land. If you go to the south rim with is a bit further away from vegas then you do not pay it. We paid $90 each for the trip, that included pickup from hotel, light breakfast,brief stop at hoover dam,lunch and imax theatre at national geopraphic centre and then 2 hours at the Canyon.

[drillfield47]

i think it is a fuel surcharge ..............we certainly paid it in cash locally a few years ago ($25 each i think) even when i booked the trip direct with the helicopter tour website myself.