Most Hated Airline Fee by:Steve Robinson
Many passengers understand that by unbundling airline ticket fees so that they do
not include all the "free" services offered in the past that this helps airlines to continue to offer cheap airplane tickets as well as cheap vacation packages. However, many of the same fliers believe that the explosion of additional fees has gotten out of hand and certain fees should be rescinded.The most hated fee is the one some airlines charge customers just for selecting their seat assignment. 52 percent of the travelers taking a 2,000 person poll by airfarwatchdog.com sited this fee as the most unacceptable.
Currently only a few U.S. airlines make passengers pay for selecting any seat on a flight. The concern of many is that other airlines, in their endless search for more revenue, may follow smaller airlines lead in this area.
Many large U.S. airlines are already charging for what are viewed as the most desirable economy seats, including exit aisle and bulkhead seats.
Customers often understand that certain services offered by the airlines do entail additional expense, such as meals, handling of checked bags, and even changing planned travel dates.
Assigning seats, which can be made online at no transaction cost to the airlines, is not a fee the typical flier can understand. Airlines who care about their customers' perception of them would be wise to think twice about issuing fees for services that add no incremental expense to the airline.
Ticket change fees were cited in the poll by 33 percent of the respondents as the second most hated fee. Considering that change fees generally range between $100 to $150 for all tickets, even for tickets costing as little as $40, it is easy to understand why this fee upsets travelers forced to change their travel plans.
www.cheapfares.com
About the author
Steve Robinson is a travel specialist which has been in the travel business over 10 years. He specializes in Airline Travel and Vacation Packages and writes for multiple publications. Ahmedabad Delhi Flights by:Alivia Martin Airlines Doing a Poor Job Recycling by:Steve Robinson Airplane Air Better Than Many Feared by:Steve Robinson Experience Koh Samui in Thailand for a True Tropical Island Adventure by:Michiel Van Kets Relocating to Singapore by:Kelly White Dubai 7 Star Hotel: Leading Hotels of the World by:Shabbir Kagalwala Master the Tango While You Learn Spanish In Buenos Aires by:Ken Ingraham Budget Gift Shopping with Car Rental in Brisbane by:Dev Mishra Concerned About the Age of Your Plane? by:Steve Robinson Your Tuscany holiday will provide the time of your life Chicago Wedding Cruise Ideas by:Kristie Lorette Reduce The Anxieties And Stresses Of Traveling by:Stanley Popovich Destruction Of Pompeii: Rediscovered The Forgotten City by:Gia Loren