any one notice the lack of "security fee"

[lawgs]

has anyone noticed the lack of "security fee" charge on new bookings since June 1

we just used one of our rapid rewards tickets for a september flight to st louis from buffalo, had the credit card out to pay for the security fee, when she told me there was no security fee charge ......started june 1 and supposedly goes until september...

said the government had waived it...thank you US government

perhaps someone has more info on this....

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Well, by George, you are right!!!! I looked at the booking I had originally made in April and there was a 15.00 security fee (for three people) and I looked at the one that I just made Thurs. and there was no security fee. They reimbursed this security fee in the tax section, so, instead of 18.00 tax they refunded 33.00 as tax. The total was the same. Interesting, to say the least.

From SWA site:

A word about tax relief. We did not ask for relief from income, property, sales, payroll, or Social Security taxes, or other taxes of general application to all businesses. Rather, we sought relief from an array of federal taxes that apply only to aviation and which produce a heavier federal tax burden on air travel than exists with respect to alcohol or tobacco! Congress suspended the passenger security fee of $2.50 per flight segment for tickets purchased between June 1, 2003 and September 30, 2003 regardless of the date of travel. Congress also suspended the air carrier security fee (paid directly by the airlines) for the same time period.

The link:

http://www.southwest.com/swatakeoff/iraq_war.html

Now, whatever would you do without me?

 

[alexturner74]

The security fee has been suspended, but all of the major airlines increased their fares accordingly so many people won't notice a difference. Don't know about Southwest specifically. The big question is whether the airlines will keep the fare increase once the security fee comes back. It will be interesting to see if the market will be able to sustain it.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by alexturner74
The security fee has been suspended, but all of the major airlines increased their fares accordingly so many people won't notice a difference. Don't know about Southwest specifically. The big question is whether the airlines will keep the fare increase once the security fee comes back. It will be interesting to see if the market will be able to sustain it.

I wonder why they did that, since their fees were suspended also.

Actually SWA dropped the fare for my trip.

 

[lawgs]

thanks gail for your leg work

would never have known if i had not been talking to a "live" person at SW....

it all helps ....of course

 

[MrsMud]

The security fee has been suspended, but all of the major airlines increased their fares accordingly so many people won't notice a difference. Don't know about Southwest specifically.

Southwest did not increase their fares, or at least not for the flights I had originally booked in May. When I checked them the other day they had actually gone DOWN, although they were still advertised at the same fare. When I checked into the breakdown (flight down, flight back, taxes, etc.) I noticed: Security fee: 0.00. I guess that accounts for the decrease.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by lawgs
thanks gail for your leg work

would never have known if i had not been talking to a "live" person at SW....

it all helps ....of course

I would never had known if you hadn't told us. So, I went looking for a "why". Geez, with my "why" mentality, you would think I was still 3 years old.

 

[alexturner74]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
I wonder why they did that, since their fees were suspended also.

Actually SWA dropped the fare for my trip.

The reason why: to reduce the losses the Majors have been suffering the last couple of years. If the government isn't going to collect it as a security fee, then it will go to the airline's bottom line.

Right, Southwest didn't increase their fares. Only the Majors.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by alexturner74
The reason why: to reduce the losses the Majors have been suffering the last couple of years. If the government isn't going to collect it as a security fee, then it will go to the airline's bottom line.

Right, Southwest didn't increase their fares. Only the Majors.

I understood why the government suspended it, what I did not fathom is why the airlines raised their fares, which, really was a "tongue in cheek" question.

I really feel that SWA is a major, btw.

 

[alexturner74]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
I understood why the government suspended it, what I did not fathom is why the airlines raised their fares, which, really was a "tongue in cheek" question.

I really was answering to why the airlines raised their fares, not why the government suspended it. Sorry for the confusion, it's sometimes hard to tell what people are really saying or what they mean when only reading email or posts (no body language or tone of voice to decipher). I thought you were asking seriously.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by alexturner74
I really was answering to why the airlines raised their fares, not why the government suspended it. Sorry for the confusion, it's sometimes hard to tell what people are really saying or what they mean when only reading email or posts (no body language or tone of voice to decipher). I thought you were asking seriously.

Not a problem!!! It is a difficult medium on which to communicate.

I usually add a smile with a wink to indicate I am being silly, but, I forgot, so, in this instance, it is my fault.