Probably an easy FF Mile question ...

... but I don't know the answer so here goes. We have tentative travel plans for next January, so we're getting close to the time to book FF tickets. However, there is a fair to middling chance that our plans will change. If I go ahead and reserve using FF miles then have to cancel, is there any penalty for that? Would the taxes on the tickets be refunded to me?

My FF plan is with Alaska, and I would be using a combination of AS and partner airlines.

Thanks in advance.

I don't know about Alaska, but with United I believe there is a fee to return the miles to your account.

I recently got hit by Alaska for a $75 fee to return the miles to my account. And they refunded a $2.50 fee that I had paid for the reservation (taxes???).