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Airline Fees: You Get What You Pay For Or Weapons In Travel Class Warfare?
Last month, the media was abuzz over increased airline fees for pre-assigned seating, with many concerned that it would especially affect families who want to sit together for no additional cost. Even New York Senator Chuck Schumer got involved, asking airlines to waive fees for families traveling with children. Rather than look for victims or call airlines "anti-family," however, look at the bigger picture. Airline seat fees are nothing new, but they are increasingly being used as another weapon in the arsenal against the airlines' least desirable customer: the infrequent flier. If travelers will choose airfares based on a difference of nickels and dimes, does this force the airlines to nickel and dime the traveler?The real divide in travel now isn't between business and leisure travelers, families and singles, or even first class and coach; it's between frequent fliers with airline loyalty, and price-conscious consumers who won't hesitate to switch carriers for a cheaper fare. Savvy travelers who fly more than a few times per year understand that it pays to be loyal to one airline. In addition to earning miles for future trips, frequent fliers can jump to the top of upgrade lists, skip long check-in and security lines, and even waive many of the fees not included in the base fare. Travelers who fly only a year or less are more likely to book the cheapest ticket they find, even if the difference between carriers is just a few dollars, assuming the service will be similar (or worse, the same as they remember the last time they flew). What's the incentive for airlines to give such passengers anything for free if they might never fly them again? "The customers that are more loyal, who fly more often, we want to make sure they have the best travel experience," said American Airlines to Associated Press.
People are quick to call airlines greedy, and while they are looking to make money, running an airline is hardly a lucrative business these days. The Wall Street Journal recently ran a nifty graphic breaking down the cost of an average flight, showing that on a 100-person flight, the airline is making a profit off only a single seat. Between the rising costs of fuel, staff, security, insurance, and maintenance, most airlines are struggling to avoid bankruptcy or just stay in business. While you shouldn't feel sorry for the airlines, understand that the alternative to fees is increased base fares, where you may be stuck paying for amenities you don't need or want.
As I've lived abroad for two years, I've become loyal to Turkish Airlines. They not only have the most flights from my current home airport in Istanbul, but I know I'll always get a meal even on short flights, never have to pay fees outside of excess baggage, and even be able to use a dedicated check-in desk for travelers with children at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport. I've often paid more to fly on Turkish Airlines than other carriers on the same route to guarantee the same standards of service. This makes me a valuable customer, and the more money I spend with them, the more perks I receive.
Earlier this year, I was looking for tickets from New York to Austin for a friend's wedding. It was slightly cheaper to fly on American Airlines (my preferred carrier when I lived in New York) than Jet Blue, but as a solo traveler with a baby, I knew I'd be checking a bag and wanting to take my stroller up to the gate. Jet Blue would offer these services for free (American wouldn't let me gate-check the stroller, but I could check it at the counter for free), and the overall cost would be about the same, plus I'd get free snacks and entertainment. In the end, I chose Jet Blue and was even given a priority seat without charge because the flight was relatively empty. If I were still based in New York and flying frequently, it would be more worthwhile to me to fly American to build my frequent flier status and miles for places I'd like to go.
As a parent who travels frequently with my child, I understand the potential nightmare separate seating could cause, but I also understand that airlines can't make exceptions without making some passengers unhappy. If airlines were to waive a seating charge for families, travelers would complain about special treatment. Fliers with elderly parents would ask for exemptions to sit together, people with a fear of flying would want their travel partner close with no fee, and single travelers would feel they were being forced to subsidize everyone else.
Over at Huffington Post, my colleague (and fellow baby travel expert) Corinne McDermott contacted all of the major airlines regarding pre-assigned seating fees. Only Spirit Airlines explicitly said families should pay fees to be guaranteed adjacent seats. In fact, much of the hype about families being separated might really just be that: hype. Most airlines will try to accommodate people traveling together, just reserving preferred aisle and window seats to reward frequent fliers, or sell for an additional fee. It makes sense for an airline to offer a premium like preferred seating for free to a loyal customer, and instead try to make as much money as possible for a customer they may never have again.
Instead of spending time writing angry comments online, spend that time educating yourself about the full cost of an airline ticket and decide where your priorities lie: do you want to pay the absolute lowest fare and expect nothing more than a seat, or do you want to pay for service instead surprise fees? The old axiom "you get what you pay for" is the new reality in airline travel.
Earlier this year, I was looking for tickets from New York to Austin for a friend's wedding. It was slightly cheaper to fly on American Airlines (my preferred carrier when I lived in New York) than Jet Blue, but as a solo traveler with a baby, I knew I'd be checking a bag and wanting to take my stroller up to the gate. Jet Blue would offer these services for free (American wouldn't let me gate-check the stroller, but I could check it at the counter for free), and the overall cost would be about the same, plus I'd get free snacks and entertainment. In the end, I chose Jet Blue and was even given a priority seat without charge because the flight was relatively empty. If I were still based in New York and flying frequently, it would be more worthwhile to me to fly American to build my frequent flier status and miles for places I'd like to go.
As a parent who travels frequently with my child, I understand the potential nightmare separate seating could cause, but I also understand that airlines can't make exceptions without making some passengers unhappy. If airlines were to waive a seating charge for families, travelers would complain about special treatment. Fliers with elderly parents would ask for exemptions to sit together, people with a fear of flying would want their travel partner close with no fee, and single travelers would feel they were being forced to subsidize everyone else.
Over at Huffington Post, my colleague (and fellow baby travel expert) Corinne McDermott contacted all of the major airlines regarding pre-assigned seating fees. Only Spirit Airlines explicitly said families should pay fees to be guaranteed adjacent seats. In fact, much of the hype about families being separated might really just be that: hype. Most airlines will try to accommodate people traveling together, just reserving preferred aisle and window seats to reward frequent fliers, or sell for an additional fee. It makes sense for an airline to offer a premium like preferred seating for free to a loyal customer, and instead try to make as much money as possible for a customer they may never have again.
Instead of spending time writing angry comments online, spend that time educating yourself about the full cost of an airline ticket and decide where your priorities lie: do you want to pay the absolute lowest fare and expect nothing more than a seat, or do you want to pay for service instead surprise fees? The old axiom "you get what you pay for" is the new reality in airline travel.
Filed under: North America, United States, Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Datanerd Jun 29th 2012 10:08PM
You assume that everyone will be perfect consumers, like you in the JetBlue example, and will be able to weigh all of the add-on fees after they buy the ticket for the lowest price. As an economist, I can assure you that people do not include all information, because they don't know it, and don't know they need to know it.
Let's face it, airline fare terms are written by lawyers, using complicated language to extract maximum revenue from people. Keeping the fare terms simpler would keep the airlines and the flyers on a more equal playing field.
Cher Jul 2nd 2012 7:22AM
Why isn't anyone complaining about the airlines, the next thing you will have to give them is your first born child. They get everything that they ask for and we the consumers get nothing. They have no customer service whatsoever because they just do what they want and get away with it.
Hunnie Jul 2nd 2012 8:34AM
public Air Line travel makes me seek other alternatives now at just the thought... I don't even want to go anymore on holiday because of the air experience's and fees and expense. Amtrac is always fun SLOWER but fun and no headache.AMTRAC needs more tracks is the downside..
Bever Jul 4th 2012 7:47PM
I would be loyal to airlines, but they have had NO loyalty to me. In 2002 United was talking a merger with USAirways, a major airline in Philadelphia. I had 63,000 miles with United and many miles with USAirways. The way they were talking about the merger it was like they were one airline. So when I flew on USAirways I was thinking that I was being loyal to United as well. Well, in 2002 United took away my 63,000 miles supposedly for inactivity!! I explained to United that it was advertising and acting like United and USAirways were acting like they were already one airline so my activity with USAirways should count as activity on United. I was hot, no amount of phone calls, emails, and letters would get my miles back. I have not flown United since. I have flown a lot of miles since 2002 and United has missed out. I am sure that many people have benefitted from frequent flyer miles, but I am not one of them.
JIML82 Jul 2nd 2012 8:52AM
Over the last several years I have driven rather than fly to various destinations over 6 to 8 times. I guess if I had flown, the airline(s) would be treating me better. Sort of a chicken and egg situation. Now since I only fly once a year, I am treated like scum. I guess my wife and I will continue driving.
LJ Jul 2nd 2012 9:59AM
"Most airlines will try to accommodate people traveling together, just reserving preferred aisle and window seats to reward frequent fliers," ....Are you crazy? Most planes are 3 seats across. If they reserve the window and aisle, how indeed do families with small children sit together??? Bravo for the frequent flier, whose trips are mainly paid for by their jobs. Yes, average families who lack the funds to fly often DO ( Gasp!!) look at the cost of their seats. Airline are creating a public relations nightmare for themselves. People don't like to be nickle and dimed. If cost is such an issue, they should simply hike the cost of seats across the board. Extra cost for checking your BAG??? Extra cost for your ( no so special, tiny) seat???? REALLY?
Paul Zalon Jul 2nd 2012 10:20AM
Just came back from China where I flew 4 domestic airlines, all better than US carriers. Airports new and modern. No upcharges. Free, good food including beer. Offer newspapers in Chinese and English.
paulsen10 Jul 2nd 2012 4:41PM
Do you get free peanuts and beer at a baseball game? No? Well, surely you get free popcorn at the movies then, right? People who don't travel, always think the airlines are ripping them off. This article is right on.
Ashley Jul 2nd 2012 11:14AM
The airlines aren't thinking of the unintended consequences of this type of fee... How about the price conscious families with small children who simply don't pay the fee and end up not sitting together? Will they REQUIRE parents to sit with their children, and therefore pay the fee?
If not, some poor 3 year old might end up sitting by herself in a middle seat, between 2 frequent fliers who paid extra for their window and aisle! Meanwhile, the parents are enjoying a nice break 2 rows down... Hm, sounds like a good plan to me! ;) (Totally kidding, I'd never subject anyone else to my 3 year old on an airplane!)
james Jul 2nd 2012 11:49AM
This is just another version of "class warfare" perpetrated by your friendly skies and supported by your unfriendly government.
Lorri Jul 2nd 2012 1:10PM
Wasn't it the way back in the "old days" that you chose your seats when you booked your flight and the earlier you booked the better chance you got seats together? It didn't matter if there were 1, 2 or 5 people in your party. There was no extra charge. Just book earlier if you wanted to sit together.
Marianne Jul 2nd 2012 11:57AM
Hey--if I can't have seating with my children, then someone else will be sitting with them. THEY can do the "family" thing like keeping them entertained, helping them
with snacks, keeping them from disturbing other passengers, and-oh yes, cuddle
them while they cry for mommy!!
Rick Jul 2nd 2012 12:42PM
Meg, how are you able to write articles for public consumption with so many grammar mistakes? There are at least four in this article. Gadling, get writers who can write!
bree Jul 2nd 2012 6:16PM
Thank you for caring about language. I don't understand how one can be a reporter/writer and not think about grammar. It's hard to take your thoughts seriously when you lack basic writing skills.
AmyB Jul 3rd 2012 9:30PM
I cannot believe the airlines can come up with such RIDICULOUS ideas! LJ's suggestion of just raise fares across the board makes a lot more sense, if they're really losing that much money. All seats in certain areas of the plane should be the same rate; most people wouldn't care if they were in the front or back, unless they had some disability.
Get Real!
Jim The Old Flyer Jul 2nd 2012 4:22PM
If you want to know what's wrong with current airline policies..............imagine a restaurant run like an airline. i.e. extra for chairs, water crackers with that salda and etc.
That's what's wrong with airlines and I started flying in 1960.