Wed Dec 3, 2008 2:36PM EST
See Comments (5)
Whenever I travel these days, I know I'm getting screwed, I'm just not sure exactly how. A site called HotelsCheap has rounded up all those extra fees and surcharges -- down to some fees which I didn't even know existed -- and put them all on one helpful web page.
In all, 26 airlines are included, from Aer Lingus to Virgin Atlantic (and including all the major and many of the minor U.S. carriers).
Having all this information in one place makes it easy to see who's got the best and worst policies (also check out the table-based view that makes it easy to scan at a glance -- though I'd kill for a website that adds up all your surcharges when you're pricing tickets). Suitcase #3 will run you $150 on Virgin Atlantic, for example, and JetBlue charges $7 for a pillow and a blanket. Food appears most expensive, oddly enough, on Midwest Airlines (and that $11 gets you a turkey and cheddar salad).
Start saving your free drink coupons and be sure to give this page a quick scan before planning your next trip -- a great deal on a flight might not be so wonderful if you add up all the extra charges!
Join in the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.
Because they didn't start charging right away as they should have! They counted on employees taking pay cut too make up the difference. Time for the people to pay for air travel.
What people dont realise is that airlines have to buy their fuel in advance (fuel hedging) So even tho a barrel of oil is $50 at the moment the airline might have actually paid for its fuel for Dec back in June when it was nearly $147 a barrel. Thats why so many airlines went bust over the summer when oil was very expensive.
Every extra pound in the air costs incredible amounts. If you're skeptical, be aware that US Airways is swapping out carts for new ones that are only a few pounds lighter. With that said, it's time to start charging airfare by passenger weight (it's the way they charge freight). That way, they can give me a can of pop for free because they're no longer paying for the extra fuel for the tubbies that always spill into my space.
Oooh - extra legroom seats. I like that! ejc_99 - the original OEM seats that come with the airplanes give PLENTY of space between all passengers, so even the "tubbies" as you put it would NOT "spill over" into your seat. Instead of complaining, demand that the airlines KEEP the OEM seats that are included with the planes from the manufacturer and not rip them all out and put in super cheap "compression" seats like they do now - then everyone can have a pleasant flight experience.
1 Posted by jonjon19752001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:40PM EDT Report Abuse
Geesh!! Gas is so cheap now. why the airlines still charging ridicilous fees, etc.??