Comments on: Pricing & advertising

By: rheller185

rheller185 — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:40:14 +0000

A traveler should be able to know the full price of the ticket with all optional services included as he searches for a flight. This could be accomplished by presenting a list of all optional services on the first reservation page. The traveler would check off the optional services desired and the fares presented for the itinerary would include these so that a reasonable comparison could be made between airlines.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:16:09 +0000

Thanks for your comment. This is an interesting idea. What do others think of this proposal? Do you think DOT should impose it, or should the airlines just be encouraged to adopt it themselves?

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:47:55 +0000

I definitely agree with making full fare information available and advertising one way fares when indeed it refers to one way, not round trip.
For any airline or travel agent/booking site that treats optional services as op-in SHAM on you!

By: JGR

JGR — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:54:58 +0000

Simply put, the total price is the only price that matters. Breaking the price out needlessly confuses the issue.

By: sdm1146

sdm1146 — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 16:31:28 +0000

Advertised prices should include all costs, including baggage, etc. A total cost can go down if a passenger is exempt from checked baggage fees or a seat request fee but it may not go up by adding these fees. All charges should be OPT IN, not OPT OUT.

By: tsaware

tsaware — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 13:56:12 +0000

I believe advertised fares should state the entire price, including fees, taxes, etc. Fares cannot be advertised as one way if the price is only valid with roundtrip fares. These rules should apply to everyone who sells tickets. Post purchase price increases should not be allowed. Optional services should be offered on an opt-in basis.

By: Commenter12

Commenter12 — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 12:35:15 +0000

DOT should require that when a fare/rate can only be achieved if two persons book that both the one person rate be displayed/provided unless it is clear that the person booking is booking for two.
DOT should not adopt a less strict approach to post-purchase price increases. If I buy a TV at Best Buy, Best Buy cannot come after me later to wring more money out of me. A traveler enters into a contract with an airline whereby the traveler pays a price so that the airline with transport the person somewhere on an agreed-upon date and time. When the airline later changes the price, it is effectively breaking the contract and extorting money out of the traveler who likely will lose more money it he or she objects.
Given the fact that travelers contract for airline travel at different times/dates between the time the airline posts the flight and the date of travel, and people already know that prices can change if they do not buy a ticket, the airline can raise ticket prices on seats purchased later. Further, the airline likely will include possible fuel price fluctuations in their calculation of ticket fares/prices.
Regarding ticket prices, I believe airlines should be required to publish a comparable, typical fare regardless of how they otherwise choose to display their pricing structure. For instance, all airlines should be required to publish the price, fee and tax inclusive, to fly round-trip with one checked bag to the destination. This would allow travelers to compare prices between carriers because the price would be for the same thing. To the extent other services could be provided (e.g. second bag or a premium seat), that could be displayed separately as an opt-in.
The biggest issue I have as a traveler with the various prices and airline price structures is that there is no comparability. While I think I may be getting a good deal with one carrier, there always seems to be some other amount I later must pay that, were it figured into the mix when I made the decision of which carrier to fly with, could have caused me to choose a different carrier.

By: mmoats1

mmoats1 — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:41:32 +0000

1. Full prices should be quoted
2. The airlines should be able to charge for anything on board except water.
3. Set a limit on the total size (by cubic feet) of bags that can be carried on, thus ensuring everyone the chance to stash a bag, not just those in seating sections 1-3. And do this before one gets to the gate. No more free checked bags at the jetway.

By: jwest

jwest — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:15:22 +0000

Airlines should be required to list the number of seats available at each price. Also they should not be allowed to overbook.

By: yampalin

yampalin — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 09:35:36 +0000

My previous submission disappeared. I suggested airlines use a system similar to cruise lines, differentiating fares by categories that specify seat location and services included. Example- in the aisle seat category, differentiate front from back, and then including or not such services as an extra pillow, use of bathroom more than once, free earphone, etc. But one carryon and one checked baggage should always be free, as also the right to use the bathroom one time and one bottle of water free.