If you've been reading this blog you'll know I'm not a big fan of airline fees. The act of reducing prices only to increase the number of fees attached to it is (I feel) simply criminal. So with this in mind you can understand my position about the new $10 "peak travel" surcharge several airlines are now adding: I'm against it.
American Airlines, the biggest "fee-devil", instituted the surcharge on Sept 23 for travel on the 13 days around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, and also certain holidays in March and April of 2010. Since then several of their competitors jumped on the bandwagon.
Booking tickets, you probably won't notice it, since the $10 is technically not a fee but a surcharge on the base fare, but the principle remains: the airlines extracting money in a semi-devious fashion. Still, it does make sense. The race to the bottom necessitates adding on costs to keep operations aloft. I just wish they were more honest about it.
According to Farecompare, the $10 fee now applies to travel on the following dates: Nov 29 – Nov 30; Dec 19; Dec 26 – Dec 27; Jan 2 – Jan 3, 2010; March 14, 2010; March 20 – March 21, 2010; March 28, 2010; April 11, 2010; and May 28, 2010.
Here are few suggestions on how to get around the new fee:
- Book your tickets soon - Regardless of any fee, it's gearing up to be a busy holiday travel season. Booking early gets you in on any discounted seats before they sell out.
- Be flexible - If you can try to book around the fee dates.
- Use airlines not charging the fee - There still are several airlines not succumbing to the pressure. For simple roundtrip and domestic travel tickets try Southwest or Jet Blue.
Happy Holidays!
* nickles and dimes photo courtesy of Kevin