I don’t know about you, but airline fees are irritating, especially those fees that go up for one reason but never seem to come down when that reason shifts course. I’m talking oil prices and fuel surcharges.
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fuel surcharges
Janice Hough celebrates when one airline drops their fuel surcharges as the price of oil plummeted. Of course it a drop in the fuel surcharge bucket, but Emirates Airlines is providing some strong competition to international airlines. It is a start.
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Janice Hough is not without sympathy for the airlines as oil hovers around $100 a barrel and soon more. However, she is without sympathy for airline deception. Let’s face it — fuel surcharges are dishonest.
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“Allegiant is considering a new pricing option for use on its website,” writes its chairman, Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr. “When making a purchase, consumer would be able to choose between a traditional “locked in” fare that would not fluctuate, and a lower fare that could change before the date of travel. That lower fare could be reduced further or could increase (up to a set maximum that would be clearly disclosed) depending on changes in fuel price between the booking and travel dates.”
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As we approach Thanksgiving, the thoughts of many Americans turn to shopping. Historically, “Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving is one of the biggest shopping days of the year, with some of the deepest short-term discounts. Store fliers are filled with bargains and this year so are airline ads. But, can we believe them?
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Most travelers have grudgingly made peace with the concept of airline taxes and fees. It’s not exactly like we have a choice, anyway. But there are still times where these extra charges can take your breath away — as in when the fees and surcharges are more than the price of the ticket.
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Janice Hough notes: Airlines don’t add “crew surcharges” when their unions win some concession (yet), nor “weather surcharges” for flying in winter (again, yet). Why should fuel be singled out?
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These days there are so many surcharges and fees on tickets, travelers can be forgiven for getting jaded about just one more, or an increase in any fee. But, from a travel agent and frequent traveler point of view, fuel charges might be the most irritating “added fee.”
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After seeing the price of oil drop dramatically earlier this year to less than $35 a barrel, the price has been creeping back up to the $70-a-barrel range. With the increase in oil, jet fuel prices rise and we passengers will see higher fuel surcharges.
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As fee increases go, this one is so small as barely to be noticeable. But when travelers are increasingly being hit for charges that can add hundreds of dollars to a family trip, well, every little bit hurts.
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