What you pay, and when
Every figure that makes up your total, shown before you authorize payment. Nothing appears at the end that was not there at the start.
What makes up the price
| Component | What it is | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| Base fare | The airline's price for the seat in the cabin and fare class you selected. | The operating airline |
| Taxes and government charges | Departure taxes, security charges and passenger duties for every country on your itinerary. | Governments and airports |
| Carrier-imposed charges | Fuel and other surcharges the airline adds on top of the base fare. Common on long-haul. | The operating airline |
| Checked baggage | The allowance included in your fare is shown on the fare review page before you pay. Extra or oversized bags are bought from the airline directly, at its own online check-in or at the airport — they are not sold through Vista Destination. | The operating airline |
| Seat selection | Seats are chosen with the airline once you are ticketed, through its own check-in or Manage Booking page. Vista Destination does not sell seat assignments. | The operating airline |
| Vista service fee | A flat $25 charge for handling the booking. Shown as its own line, never folded into the fare. | Vista Destination |
| Payment processing fee | The cost of taking your payment online. Calculated from your total, so it moves with the price of the ticket, and shown as its own line. | Vista Destination |
How we show it
One total, with the breakdown available
Search results show the full price per traveller with everything already in it — airfare, taxes, carrier charges, the Vista service fee and the payment processing fee. The fare review page and checkout show that same total split into its parts, and it is the figure charged to your payment method. Nothing is added after the payment button.
The service fee
It is a flat $25 charge on every booking, the same whether it is a one-way domestic flight or a multi-city itinerary for a family of six. It is always shown as its own line item, before you pay. If you would rather know in advance, call and ask — we will tell you.
The payment processing fee
Taking payment online costs a percentage of the transaction, and we show that cost as its own line rather than burying it in the fare. Because it is worked out from your total, it moves up and down with the price of the ticket. It appears on the fare review page and again at checkout, before you pay.
Currency
Prices are shown and charged in US dollars. If your card is issued in another currency, your bank sets the conversion rate and may add its own fee.
When you are charged
Payment is taken when you confirm the booking. Airline tickets are issued shortly afterwards, usually within minutes.
Fees on changes and cancellations
Where you ask us to submit a change or cancellation, the airline's penalty is set by your fare rules. A Vista handling fee may also apply, and we tell you both figures before anything is processed. You decide before any charge is made.
See the refunds and changes page for how the process works.
Common questions
Is the price I see the price I pay?
Why is the fare different from the airline's own website?
Can I add a bag after booking?
Do you store my card details?
Is the service fee refundable?
See the real price
Search your route and the total is right there — taxes, service fee and processing fee already in it.