Airlines propose infant fees

[Justin Jett]

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/consumer&id=7917026

http://www.dallasnews.com/business/...-fees-may-be-approaching-at-u.s.-airlines.ece

 

[Reddy]

if the parent needs any help - I can see this (or atleast the charge for dealing with the stroller)
I think they are going to try to charge for enything they can get away with
Thankfully I'm driving to Disney

 

[WorldWacky]

I'm with Reddy... glad we drive everywhere.

 

[auroralark]

Not thrilled with any kind of new fee - but what really has me confused it the fee for paying with a credit card. How else do they expect me to pay for my ticket over the internet? They want to come to my house and take my cash?

 

[disneyholic family]

i wish we could drive...

the cost of airfare has driven the cost of a trip to WDW through the roof for us...
i really don't think it's that doable for us as a family anymore...
certainly not as the annual pilgramage...
add on to the airfare, the skyrocketing hotel and ticket prices....
well....maybe once in a blue moon....maybe...

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I'm not surprised about the carryon fees. I've been expecting that at some point.

Infant in lap fees - well my kids are way past that stage and we didn't fly with them until they were 2. I'm not surprised they will do that too. It's frustrating for parents though. Surely babies don't add that much weight to the plane!

The credit card fee is just silly. How else are you going to pay?

Oh well, airlines are out to make a buck just like every other business so the nickel and diming continues. That's why we drive on trips 12 hours and under when all 4 of us go.

 

[Joshua_me]

Why don't they just offer collapsible cardboard baby carriers while they're at it ? You can check junior with the rest of your luggage at the gate.

I can see the signs now as you're waiting for your little one to show up at the spinning baggage carousel: "Be careful, many babies look alike, make sure you are picking up the correct infant !"

 

[TinkerChelle]

Happy we are driving in November and I never thought I would actually think that . or say that out loud.....DP loves to drive and I don't. But she definitely wins now! And with a 2 year old and a 9 month old in November none of you will have to be on a plane with us! You're welcome!

 

[teskak]

In Australia we already get those fees - especially on the "low cost" carriers.

CC fee - well the providers like Visa and Amex charge merchants for the use of thier payment system, so that fee is passed onto the consumers. The fee is waived for using either direct deposit or the airline's own branded CC.

Charging for carry-ons might put an end to the bickering over access to the o/head lockers.

A low cost carrier in Aus already charges a fee if you check-in in person rather than using on-line or kiosks in the main area.

Children in lap - well to my knowledge we were always charged 10% of the adult fee when we travelled with an infant 6 years ago. Personally I think the kids are a lot safer in a car-seat as clear air turbulence can cause babies to be very seriously injured.

 

[tinkerbellandeyor]

Why don't they just offer collapsible cardboard baby carriers while they're at it ? You can check junior with the rest of your luggage at the gate.

I can see the signs now as you're waiting for your little one to show up at the spinning baggage carousel: "Be careful, many babies look alike, make sure you are picking up the correct infant !"

that is just crazy

In Australia we already get those fees - especially on the "low cost" carriers.

CC fee - well the providers like Visa and Amex charge merchants for the use of thier payment system, so that fee is passed onto the consumers. The fee is waived for using either direct deposit or the airline's own branded CC.

Charging for carry-ons might put an end to the bickering over access to the o/head lockers.

A low cost carrier in Aus already charges a fee if you check-in in person rather than using on-line or kiosks in the main area.

Children in lap - well to my knowledge we were always charged 10% of the adult fee when we travelled with an infant 6 years ago. Personally I think the kids are a lot safer in a car-seat as clear air turbulence can cause babies to be very seriously injured.

I agree with you

 

[Cherinva]

That's just crazy....they charge enough now.

 

[lugnut33]

Eventually there will be a charge for using the walkway to get on the plane. Another one for friendly service. Another fee if you want to use the bathroom. If you actually want to take off that'll cost you. Oh, want to get off the plane at your destination will be a special fee, to make you feel special.

 

[disprincessatheart]

Sheesh - just raise the prices on the tickets already! Its getting to the point where it will cost more to bring your stuff than for the original ticket!

For once I'm glad dh doesn't like to fly!

 

[medicjch]

Sheesh - just raise the prices on the tickets already! Its getting to the point where it will cost more to bring your stuff than for the original ticket!

Seriously......I'd probably be fine just paying the increased price and not having to see how they nickel and dime me to death!!!

 

[Justin Jett]

Some articles mention a "Convenience Fee" for booking online. Will this be in addition to the credit card fee?

 

[sayhello]

Eventually there will be a charge for using the walkway to get on the plane. Another one for friendly service. Another fee if you want to use the bathroom. If you actually want to take off that'll cost you. Oh, want to get off the plane at your destination will be a special fee, to make you feel special.

Actually, I think it was Ryan Air that said they were going to charge for using the bathroom. Reaction was so bad, I don't think they ended up doing it, and other airlines said they wouldn't.

Sheesh - just raise the prices on the tickets already! Its getting to the point where it will cost more to bring your stuff than for the original ticket!

For once I'm glad dh doesn't like to fly!

Well, the disgusting thing I've read is that, for whatever reason, these "fees" aren't taxable like your airfare is. So the airline gets to keep 100% of what they charge you, without paying any taxes on it. So it's very likely that, now that the airlines have figured out this loophole, we're going to *keep* seeing them add on fees for everything they can possibly get away with.

Sayhello

 

[disneyholic family]

the cost of 'free' tickets is also going through the roof..

we need 6 tickets for august so i thought maybe we could use frequent flyer mileage for 2 of the tickets...

well.....i noticed the fine print.....we not only pay the taxes on the bonus ticket...we also pay the very sizeable fuel surcharge..

so on a ticket that would cost me about $1000 round trip if i pay the whole thing, i'll still have to pay $600 in tax and fuel surcharge to get a "free" ticket...
you read that right! it will cost me $600 to get a 'free' ticket...
is that insane or what???????????????????

 

[jpeka65844]

Some articles mention a "Convenience Fee" for booking online. Will this be in addition to the credit card fee?

Isn't that a contradiction in terms? Since when is paying a fee convenient???

 

[Golf4food]

the cost of 'free' tickets is also going through the roof..

we need 6 tickets for august so i thought maybe we could use frequent flyer mileage for 2 of the tickets...

well.....i noticed the fine print.....we not only pay the taxes on the bonus ticket...we also pay the very sizeable fuel surcharge..

so on a ticket that would cost me about $1000 round trip if i pay the whole thing, i'll still have to pay $600 in tax and fuel surcharge to get a "free" ticket...
you read that right! it will cost me $600 to get a 'free' ticket...
is that insane or what???????????????????

Which is why I refuse to get any type of miles rewards card - they keep scaling back the programs, stealing points, charging more for things, giving you less... they are almost all a ripoff now.

Isn't that a contradiction in terms? Since when is paying a fee convenient???

Convenient for the greedy airlines, not convenient for you. You think they care about their customers?

I hope Southwest drives all these other morons into the ground and pees on their ashes.

 

[Matt@WDWR]

My problem with airlines nowadays is that they are searching for every opportunity to nickel and dime us to death. I think they assume that people have to fly to certain destinations so they just don't care. But charging extra for bags, babies, blankets, etc is so ridiculous. What's next? Charging me for the oxygen? Crap. I just gave them an idea.

I would love an airline that came into existence that charged a flat rate where I can stretch my legs out and allowed me 2 bags and a carryon as part of the rate. It's just ridiculous nowadays.