Campaign for more transparent fees gains support

Transparency in airline fees plea gain support

A travel executive association announced that they have gained more support for a requirement by regulatory agencies for airlines to show extra fees on their websites and in reservation systems.

The trio of groups, the American Society of Travel Agents, Business Travel Coalition, and the Consumer Travel Alliance submitted a petition with 50,000 signatures on Thursday to the Department of Transportation to show their support for the move for so-called hidden fees to be shown to customers more prominently.

The government plan to implement the new rules to make fares and fees more transparent for the benefit of passengers.

Airlines would be required to show baggage fees and other charges, while also making sure refunds and reimbursements for lost baggage or delayed delivery are given to passengers.

They would also be required to issue advanced notice for any baggage fee hike and inform passengers upon purchasing tickets whether they should pay to check in up to two bags.

The campaign started two weeks ago and was dubbed “Mad As Hell About Hidden Fees.” It called for reforms in the pricing practice of airlines and claimed that the extra fees can pull up ticket prices by 26 percent if one bag is checked and up to 54 percent for two bags and an option for a seat with more legroom.

“Airlines should be able to make a fair profit and set fares and fees that allow them to do so, as long as travelers can see and compare all of those fares in advance,” said Paul Ruden of the American Society of Travel Agents.

Posted by Sophia Andrews on Friday September 24 2010, 7:20 AM EST. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Travel. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0