Skymiles - a ripoff?
 

So last night for the first time I tried to use my Skymiles for a Pittsburgh to Moscow R/T award ticket for my wife and 1 year old baby (Feb 10-Mar 31). Here is the sequence of events:
1) checked Kayak and I saw an awesome itinerary - PIT-JFK-SVO, for 978 including all taxes. But wanted to use Skymiles so I went to Delta website; same itinerary NOT available, even though journey still 2 months away.
2) Decided to call in. Delta agent said yep, that outbound flight is not available with miles anymore. I remarked that it was 2 months out! She said, ok, let me "try something". And then magically, she said wow I tried a different way and its there. For 60K miles and 329 in taxes for the wife and 180 in taxes for the infant.
3) I remark that that is a LOT of taxes for an award ticket. She says, yes thats how it goes for flights to UK or Russia these days (didnt oil prices come down?!).
4) I go ahead and book it but with a VERY bitter taste in my mouth, as the miles-less option was 1099 with all taxes included but my "award" ticket is 60K miles AND about $500 in taxes. And the taxes are of a shady nature: "YQ - carrier imposed surcharge" (not government-imposed).

Is this a normal charge for international award tickets? I checked United and the taxes were only $70 each way with MileagePlus awards. I feel that now I will abandon Delta since they do not seem to respect their loyal customers. I will also ask my entire company to do the same (I am a management consultant and many of my coworkers fly Delta business).