Are you sick of seeing $39 airline fares advertised, only to find that with taxes and fees, the fare is really double that? Well, starting tomorrow, airlines will have to disclose the actual airfare, including taxes and fees, upfront. While it should help consumers make an informed decision, some airlines feel that it will actually hurt the travel industry, as customers may feel prices are too high and decide not to travel. Personally, I think disclosure is always a good thing!
Other changes include the following (from the Department of Transportation’s press release):
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- Requiring airlines to allow reservations to be held at the quoted fare without payment, or cancelled without penalty, for at least 24 hours after the reservation is made, if the reservation is made one week or more prior to a flight’s departure date.
- Requiring airlines to promptly notify consumers of delays of over 30 minutes, as well as cancellations and diversions. This notification must take place in the boarding gate area, on a carrier’s telephone reservation system and on its website.
- Banning post-purchase fare increases unless they are due to government-imposed taxes or fees, and only if the passenger is notified of and agrees to the potential increase at the time of sale.
- Requiring more airlines to report lengthy tarmac delays at U.S. airports with DOT, including data for international flights and charter flights. Previously, only the 16 largest U.S. passenger carriers were required to file this data, and only for domestic scheduled flights.
- Airlines will now be required to refund any fee for carrying a bag if the bag is lost.
What do you think of the changes?Ready to book? Find hotel deals at Expedia!
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