If you’re scheduled to fly on a US Airways flight and order coffee, tea or soda, don’t be surprised if the flight attendant holds out a hand.
He or she won’t be looking for a tip — the airline Friday became the first major carrier in the nation to charge for soft beverages.
The beverage policy was disclosed June 12. Coffee and tea sell for $1, and sodas, juices and bottled water are $2. As of Friday, no other carrier had matched the move.
Passengers who flew US Airways on Friday expressed annoyance, outrage and resignation over the new beverage charges.
More valuable tips at http://www.airportbook.com/bookstore.htm
In the latest fee to hit the airline industry, Delta Air Lines said Friday, June 25,2008, that it planned to begin charging a fuel surcharge of up to $50 for booking frequent-flier tickets under its awards program.
The new fee takes effect on tickets booked on or after Aug. 15. Delta will charge a $25 fuel surcharge on tickets booked within the United States, and $50 on tickets booked for travel elsewhere, including the Caribbean, the United States Virgin Islands, Latin America and other international destinations.
This month, American Airlines began charging $5 to book frequent-flier tickets. Meanwhile, US Airways will charge up to a $50 processing fee for frequent-flier tickets booked on or after Aug. 6.
Northwest Airlines said it would cancel two international routes, and suspend another until spring. Northwest is dropping its flight between Detroit and Düsseldorf, Germany, and another between Hartford and Amsterdam. The airline also is suspending a flight between Minneapolis and Paris until March.
Go to http://www.airportbook.com/blog/ for more info about airline fees.
Overage fees, second bag fee, meal fees, now first bag fees. When will the madness end?! It’s bad enough that we as passengers have to pay high ticket prices and be at the airline’s mercy? Check out this article I found. It will make you really think about who you want to give your money to for your next vacation. Read more articles at: http://divineislandbooks.com/blog/category/airline-fees/
One month after implementing a fee for a second checked bag, American Airlines and regional subsidiary American Eagle on June 15 will start charging coach passengers $15 each way for the first checked bag.
The charge will apply to passengers flying to destinations in the U.S., the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Canada.
Customers traveling on government or military fares; customers paying for full-fare economy, business or first-class tickets; flyers who are executive platinum, platinum or gold members of American’s frequent-flyer program; military passengers on active duty; and passengers flying on codeshare flights not operated by American will be exempt from paying the $15 fee.
American’s carry-on policy of one personal item, such as a purse or laptop bag, plus one bag will remain in place.
American will continue charging passengers $25 for a second checked bag, as are all the U.S. network carriers.
Article by: http://www.travelweekly.com/Article.aspx?id=174158&rbp=1
Flying will soon become an expensive luxury that Americans cannot afford. The price increase will only continue to skyrocket as long as the fuel prices continue to rise. Someone has to pay and that someone is us. Many Americans are taking alternative transportation, such as the railway travel. There has been a substantial increase this year alone. Train passengers say that the food is good and the sleeping arrangements are cosy. As Americans, we need to think about hopping on to this concept of travel and readjusting our schedules to allow a little more time to arrive at our destinations.
Please read more travel articles at: http://www.airportbook.com/blog/
Richard Anderson, chief executive of Delta Air Lines, said that in order for domestic carriers to break even at current fuel prices, they need to raise their fares by as much as 20%. “An airline ticket has got to reflect the full cost of fuel,” Anderson said. Meanwhile, Northwest Airlines chief executive Doug Steenland said that Northwest has all but exhausted cost-cutting measures. MSNBC/Associated Press
Passenger Beware!
Checked baggage fees are here and more airlines are jumping at the chance to nickle and dime you!
Northwest (www.nwa.com) has joined Delta Air Lines (www.delta.com), United Airlines (www.united.com) and US Airways (www.usairways.com) in enforcing their fee for a second bag that is checked. Northwests fee is $25 for reservations made on or after 3-29-08 for travel starting 5-5-08. Elite frequent flyer travelers will be exempt from this fee.
Northwest has also increased other baggage fees, raising the cost of 3 or more checked baggage from $80 to $100 and checked luggage that weighs more than 50 pounds from $25 to $50.
Like many banks (
www.bankofamerica.com), airlines are now in the game of creating and increasing as many fees they can think of and making you pay! Save yourself some money! Before you book your next flight, know which airlines are charging you for additional check baggage and know your weight and size restrictions. There are fees for those too!
Is this a good idea? Do the airlines have the room for you to bring extra bags and just not telling us? Is TSA (www.tsa.gov) tired of checking 8 bags for 2 people?
Tell me what you think about these checked baggage fees? Comment here or go to: www.airportbook.com/contact.htm and write your comment there.
