Airfare advertising rules: Tell DOT what you think!

[NotUrsula]

Democracy at work. Here is your chance to tell the US Government what you think about air fare advertising rules:

From Carolyn Mayer's Checkout blog in today's Washington Post (I've revised the links a bit so that they will work from here):

DOT is seeking comment on whether it should amend its airline advertising policy. It wants to know if it should:

1. Keep the rules as they are, letting airlines promote a base price and list government-imposed fees and taxes separately.
2. End the exception for the fees and taxes and require airlines to advertise the full and final price.
3. Eliminate most ad requirements but order the airlines to state the full and final price before a ticket is actually purchased.
4. Wipe out all advertising rules when it comes to air fares.

If you feel strongly, now's your time to sound off. You need to enter docket number 23194. [...] Comments are due by Feb. 13.

To submit your opinion, go to http://dms.dot.gov/submit/. Registration is not necessary, so click CONTINUE to go to the next screen. Then enter the docket number 23194. You do need to identify yourself in order to comment, and your comments may be read on the website.

Personally, I'm voting for requiring the fees and taxes to be included in the advertised price!

 

[Tigger_Magic]

I've noted that lately Delta has started including fees and taxes as a line item on their web site. It is a refreshing change.

 

[salmoneous]

I think this will be a good test of whether the goverment is *actually* listening to consumers, or just pretending to. I've got to belive 90-95%+ of people want to see the full price listed.

 

[deltachi8]

It makes advertising the fares tough. Say, SW has a fare of $49 before taxes from BUF to MCO. A direct flight would be say $57...where one that stops at BWI may be $63.

Connections, what airport you fly from and land at all effects the final price.

I too like how Delta has done it...base fare, then a second line for each itinteary showing the taxes and fees.

 

[NotUrsula]

Variables of date and routing always affect advertised prices. Unless there is only one routing and the price is actually fixed for all seats, the ads are always worded as "From $57" or "Starting at $57..." or "$59-79 ow", etc.

What would change is that the taxes/fees would have to be calculated into the numbers that appear in the ads. You still may not end up getting the lowest-priced option, but at least you would be able to see right away what the lowest price actually is.