SCAM

SM

  The Society for Consumer Advocates and Mavens

News You Can Use!

HIDDEN FEES WHEN YOU FLY COMMERCIAL AIRLINES

A cheap fare can practically double, due to hidden fees and you may not know it when you get your ticket price quote. You will find out though when you go to pay for the ticket. 

For example, new fees that have been added and old fees that have increased on the price of commercial airline tickets may include a 9/11 security fee, a passenger facility fee, a federal segment fee, a fee for booking by telephone, a change of reservation fee, on long flights a infant sitting on a passenger's lap fee, a fee for minors traveling alone on nonstop flights, a skycap fee per bag, a fee for any bags over 50 pounds, a third bag fee if you have more than two bags and even a mini-meal snack fee as well as higher fees if you are transporting a casket!

Many of these fees may cost the airline practically nothing meaning the airlines may simply be taking advantage of the opportunity to make more money per ticket. For example, it does not cost the airline $100 to change your reservation upon request. However, the mandated federal fees can sometimes add up to 50% to the cost of a ticket!

What you can do is bring your own food and drink on flights. Buy separate seats for infants. This allows you to bring more bags without getting charged for more bags. Look into baggage weight, size and number limits before getting on board a flight. Avoid phone ticketing fees by buying tickets on-line directly from the airlines. Investigate fees charged by Internet travel sites.

SUPPLEMENTAL SOURCE: CONSUMER REPORTS MAGAZINE JANUARY 2006
Back