Consumers Object to Cost of Airline Tickets and Extra Baggage Fees
With prices of airline tickets stabilizing, travelers are already having a difficult time finding ways to make sure that they do not go over their budget.
Unfortunately, the airline industry is not making much effort to do the same especially with the discovery that they will be imposing $10 for at least 13 of the busiest travel dates this holiday season.
Initially, there were only two airlines (United and American) which decided to charge extra. But in a matter of two weeks, 3 more airlines (Northwest/Delta, Continental and US Airways) have joined the bandwagon.
It is also noteworthy to mention that at the beginning, only three travel dates were affected by the $10 fuel surcharge. Now, 10 more days were added to the initial three – December 19, December 26, December 27, March 14, March 20, March 21, March 28, April 11, May 28 and the Monday following Thanksgiving.
Low cost carriers such as Southwest, JetBlue and AirTran have yet to follow the other airlines when it comes to this fuel surcharge.
Even though the airlines will not be imposing the said fuel surcharge for all their single routes, travelers will still wince at this additional fee especially considering that there were no formal announcements made. Travelers are already having a hard time dealing with the fees imposed on extra baggage as well as choosing aisle seats.
Consumers are actually hoping that everything is included in the price of the airline tickets in order for them to stay within their set budget. At present, not a single traveler can make an accurate estimate of their travel expenses and usually end up surprised with the final amount they have to pay.
On the bright side, airfare is relatively cheaper in 2009 compared to 2008 when the airline industry were left with no choice but to charge passengers expensive airfare in order to recover losses from high fuel prices.
As always, travel experts are advising travelers to buy airline tickets as early as possible and avoid booking flights during peak days. In addition, it would be smart to pack lightly in order to reduce the amount you have to pay for your baggage.
