Not able to fly unless you pay upgrade because of fuel costs??

[blessedby3]

I was talking with a good friend of mine from MD this evening and I told her of the GREAT DING rate that I got of $28 on SWA each way from Raleigh to Orlando. She said a co worker of hers was going to Disney the same time as we were (the week after Thanksgiving) and that the airline that he had ressies with called him the other day and said that they would not be able to honor his tickets because of the major increase of fuel prices. He could either pay the increased fee, or get a refund. They choose to get a refund and are now driving down. She didnt know what airline it was, only that it wasnt SWA or JetBlue, but that it was another budget airline. Has anyone else heard of something like this happening? I was SO shocked. I would not want this to happen to us and then at the last moment have to drive. Just thought I would check the boards to see if anyone else has experienced this.

 

[simzac]

Haven't heard of this, but not surprised. Just another reason to fly SW as I doubt with their short reservation window system that this would ever happen to their customers.

 

[blessedby3]

I hope you are right. That would be a NIGHTMARE!!!!!!!!!

 

[gw_lit]

I can't imagine this happening (not that I'm doubting you). Your friend had a contract with the air carrier to provide him transportation at the agreed upon cost that was established when he purchased the tickets. I don't see how the air carrier can come back and ask for more money to provide the service that you already purchased. It may be a blessing in disguise, I'd have to wonder about the ability of an airline to be a going concern if they have to resort to this practice. Imagine going to BestBuy to purchase a TV and after you pay for it and get it home, they call back and say you owe them more money because their costs went up... I don't think so!

 

[offtheice]

I can't imagine this happening (not that I'm doubting you). Your friend had a contract with the air carrier to provide him transportation at the agreed upon cost that was established when he purchased the tickets. I don't see how the air carrier can come back and ask for more money to provide the service that you already purchased. It may be a blessing in disguise, I'd have to wonder about the ability of an airline to be a going concern if they have to resort to this practice. Imagine going to BestBuy to purchase a TV and after you pay for it and get it home, they call back and say you owe them more money because their costs went up... I don't think so!

Good point .or the other way . What if gas prices dropped to pennies on the dollar, is the airline going to call the cust and say , hey here is a refund back .. we charged too much .. NEVER .. Something doesnt sound right here . maybe there wasnt enough people booked on the flight and the airline wanted to scrap it.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

I have heard of fuel surcharges being imposed before. Maybe sometimes they get permission from the Regulators?

 

[Lewisc]

Good point .or the other way . What if gas prices dropped to pennies on the dollar, is the airline going to call the cust and say , hey here is a refund back .. we charged too much .. NEVER .. Something doesnt sound right here . maybe there wasnt enough people booked on the flight and the airline wanted to scrap it.

If SW offers a lower fare the customer can get a full credit.

Charter airlines can raise fares. You either pay or get a refund.

 

[dizplanner]

Yes, I bet it was a charter airline. If you actually read the contract for charter airlines (and their associated vacation packages), they reserve the right to raise the price up until something like 10 days before travel. You either pay more or get a refund. And No, they don't call and give you money back if they sell it for less to others.

 

[CleveRocks]

This is just a guess on my part ... could this be just an urban legend???

 

[nliedel]

Sounds like a charter to me. On a regular route carrier once you pay your ticket fee it is locked in. They can add a fuel surcharge but usually only do that for new tickets. (Former TA here).

 

[NJBlackBerry]

I have heard of fuel surcharges being imposed before. Maybe sometimes they get permission from the Regulators?

The Regulators? I thought the airline business was deregulated. Who are the Regulators?

 

[blessedby3]

Im the OP on this thread. My friend said that the ticket said somewhere on it that "prices are subject to change" or something like that. I told her that I had never heard of this before, but she says this is what happened.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

Just last week Airline Execs were complaining about too much remaining regulation. Otherwise they could merge more and more easily.
Airlines were originally regulated among other things to ensure air service to smaller cities, not just the profitable runs.

 

[Ted and Holly]

Merging of businesses is regulated by the SEC. Maybe that is what they are talking about.

Ted

 

[CarolA]

My bets are on a charter airline. I went to www.flyertalk.com and did a quick search on thier forum for most of the airlines serveing RDU. (I thought maybe Independence had reached a new low) Could find nothing on any of those thread regarding this. I know FunJet flys charters out there, probably some others do too....

This is one of the reasons I really don't like flying charters.

UPDATE: I did find a surcharge on AirCanda.... I can't imagine that was the airline, but maybe????

 

[Lewisc]

This is just a guess on my part ... could this be just an urban legend???

European airlines, particularly charter airlines, add fuel surcharges. Charter airlines in the US like USA3000 are allowed to raise fares for ticketed passengers. I haven't read of any airlines doing it but I wouldn't be shocked if they tried it. If enough passengers cancel they'll just cancel the flight.

 

[CarolMN]

I remember "fuel surcharges" - Had to pay one on a major carrier many years ago. IIRC, it was during the fuel shortages of the 70's. Had to pay it (even though my ticket was already paid for). No choice. So I believe it can be done legally.

FWIW, SWA doesn't need to add such a surcharge at this time - it had the cash and foresight to purchase contracts several months ago for future fuel delivery. The contractual price for the jet fuel was quite a bit lower than what is available right now. Once those contracts expire, SWA may have to raise its prices. We'll see.

Best wishes -

 

[mbb]

......UPDATE: I did find a surcharge on AirCanda.... I can't imagine that was the airline, but maybe????

Fuel surcharges on AC are $4.65USD, or $7.50CAD for O/Wtravel between Canada and the USA..

...and included in the base fare.

And I would agree...the OP's friend is probably on a charter

 

[gw_lit]

I didn't realize that charter airlines could do that. I've never flown on a charter, so that explains why I've never seen it on a ticket. I agree with the others, your friend must have been booked on a charter.

 

[Lewisc]

I didn't realize that charter airlines could do that. I've never flown on a charter, so that explains why I've never seen it on a ticket. I agree with the others, your friend must have been booked on a charter.

Charter airlines can change the time of your flight, add a stop, change yoru flight to one with an indirect connection and even book you on another airline. Unless they change the day of your flight you're not entitled to a refund. If they decide to cancel your flight in advance they only owe you a refund. They don't have to book you on another airline. Same thing with a fare increase. I think they have to do it more than 10 days before your flight.

I'd have to have dramatic savings before I'd consider the risk of booking with a charter.