Top 10 airlines for "feeing" people to death.

[eliza61]

Maybe they could make this some type of award, like the Razzies.
See where your airline stacks up.

1. Delta
2. NorthWest
3. US air
4. American
5. Alaska
6. Continental
7. United
8. Air tran
9. Jet blue
10. Southwest.

For Delta (NYSE: DAL - News), fees are big business. This airline grossed nearly half a billion dollars from extra fees in the third quarter of 2009, almost twice that of American Airlines (NYSE: AMR - News), and that amount has only continued to skyrocket to almost $700 billion in the third quarter of 2010. Of course, Delta is also the second largest airline in the world and has more passengers than most, which allows it to earn more in fees than its competitors. But even with that in mind, fees account for roughly a tenth of the airline's operating revenue.

Passengers flying Delta pay an average of $24 in extra fees, or more than twice what passengers on United and Continental paid and quadruple the amount of those flying Southwest. Needless to say, Delta charges for everything, and charges a lot. The first checked bag currently costs $25 and the second costs $35, and the airline periodically increases this rate. Changing your ticket costs an astounding $150 and changing a flight that was booked with frequent flier miles will also cost you $150. More recently, the airline announced plans to charge as much as $160 extra for special seats in economy class on long distance flights that have the incredible ability to recline 50% farther back.

Next time you book a flight with Delta, or any of the other airlines on the top portion of this list, be sure to closely review their fee policies to ensure that you don't get smacked with excess charges before you take off.

Extra fees collected per passenger: $24

10. Southwest Airlines

Southwest (NYSE: LUV - News) has built its reputation in recent years by emphasizing the fact that it doesn't charge consumers fees for checking their first two pieces of luggage or changing their reservation, as most airlines now do. The company also refuses to add silly fees like charging for legroom or snacks to increase profits. This is clearly reflected in the comparatively small amount that the average passenger pays in extra fees when flying Southwest. That said, the company does charge for some things, including an optional $10 early bird check-in fee and sometimes for an extra seat if the passenger is deemed overweight.

Extra fees collected per passenger: $6


here's the entire article
http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-bu.../what-airlines-really-charge?mod=bb-budgeting

 

[pr surfer]

I'm surprised that Spirit isn't there

 

[maxiesmom]

The great thing about all those fees is that you don't have to pay them. Don't care where you sit? Money saved. Can fly with only a carryon? More money saved. I have no problem with the airlines charging people for a service they choose to use.

Southwest is not the low cost airline it used to be. Even without fees, it costs pretty much the same to fly them as Delta or any other airline.

I am not loyal to any one airline. However I know to add any fees I may be charged to whatever the base price of the ticket is, and then make my comparison.

 

[Lewisc]

At least one low cost European carrier (Ryanair?) has a booking fee you can't avoid. Book online and the fee is lower then using the telephone.

Spirit charges for carryon bags that go in the overhead bin. Very hard to fly and avoid paying the charge to either check a bag or to bring a roller bag on the flight.

Spirit charges extra for bags that weigh over 40lbs, US industry standard is 50lbs. Obviously Spirit hopes to take advantage of passengers who don't bother to read the "fine print".

 

[DebbieB]

The great thing about all those fees is that you don't have to pay them. Don't care where you sit? Money saved. Can fly with only a carryon? More money saved. I have no problem with the airlines charging people for a service they choose to use.

Southwest is not the low cost airline it used to be. Even without fees, it costs pretty much the same to fly them as Delta or any other airline.

I am not loyal to any one airline. However I know to add any fees I may be charged to whatever the base price of the ticket is, and then make my comparison.

I agree, you have to look at the total picture. I've found SW's fares to be very high lately.

 

[eliza61]

The great thing about all those fees is that you don't have to pay them. Don't care where you sit? Money saved. Can fly with only a carryon? More money saved. I have no problem with the airlines charging people for a service they choose to use.

Southwest is not the low cost airline it used to be. Even without fees, it costs pretty much the same to fly them as Delta or any other airline.

I am not loyal to any one airline. However I know to add any fees I may be charged to whatever the base price of the ticket is, and then make my comparison.

not sure I totally agree. By your logic, the charges are for a service provided? $150 to change a ticket? when even if you took into account the cost of the employee probably at most cost 30 bucks tops in total labor and materials. 160 bucks for a seat to recline back? Does that seat cost more to operate? burn more fuel? so what's the charge for? what service is it providing since I've already paid for a seat. You can't randomly take the seat out and squeeze extra space in. 25 bucks for picking a seat prior to the flight? I would think that would cost the airline less since it's done on the computer and you know have eliminated the need for a human to assign the seats, so basically I'm paying the airlines for not providing me with service.

And sorry, now more and more airlines are charging for carryon and checked luggage so what's the option there? I haven't figured out how to go on vacation without any clothes yet.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I swear I thought you typed "feeling".

 

[The 4 "Quay"balleros]

I'm surprised that Spirit isn't there

I'm surprised also! The fees for my next trip are $248($80 for seats and $168 for checked bags) We're going to "downsize" our normal carry on items so that they fit into 4 backpacks(Spirit charges a big fee per carry on).

 

[sympatico]

I swear I thought you typed "feeling".

It must be catching b/c I thought it was feeling too.

 

[The 4 "Quay"balleros]

Forgot to add that my fare was $432 and tax was $149.60(for 4 seats). Even with the fees, Spirit was over $200 cheaper than SW.

 

[Nadjalu]

I can't believe that is current, as Spirit isn't on there.

LOL...Spirit has to the one of the worst, not many carriers charge for carry on bags.....$30 for the 1st carry on. Come on, how are they not on that list???

It ended up costing us $80 more per person with these fees, than flying Delta...supposidly the highest "fee-er".

Nope something isn't right with this study.

 

[homedad]

maybe because I despise Spirit so much I thought they would be first.....for some reason since I consider the major airlines reak companies I can stomach thier fees better.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I'm surprised that Spirit isn't there

The list appears to include only the ten largest domestic carriers. These ten carriers are ranked from worst/most fees (Delta) to best/least fees (Southwest).

Smaller domestic carriers, including Spirit, Allegiant, Virgin America, and Sun Country, are not included in the list. That does't mean they're better or worse than those on the list. They're just not part of the list.

 

[bicker]

The great thing about all those fees is that you don't have to pay them.

Yes, good point. The only people who lose with a system based on more fees for specific things are the people who are heavy users of the system, people who want more service, who make a lot of changes, who don't care to or unwilling to learn how to help themselves, etc.

What I find mystifying is how many people complain incessantly about the debundling of the cost of airline travel, yet also complain incessantly about the fact that cable/satellite television service is substantially bundled. It's like "consumption schizophrenia" - when it is like A they want it like B; when it is like B they want it like A. To me, that just indicates that consumers in general are just complaining for the sake of complaining, or perhaps they're just complaining about something they feel that they can craft a nefarious story about, rather than saying what is really driving their dissatisfaction, i.e., that they cannot painlessly afford whatever it is that they want to have.

 

[bicker]

not sure I totally agree. By your logic, the charges are for a service provided? $150 to change a ticket? when even if you took into account the cost of the employee probably at most cost 30 bucks tops in total labor and materials. 160 bucks for a seat to recline back? ...

Only suckers, idiots, and not-for-profits price their services based on cost. Do you run your life that way? Do you "charge" your boss, just what it costs to pay for your housing, clothing, food, shelter, and transportation? Or do you also sock your boss for your entertainment, your vacations, your extravagances, gifts you buy for others, not to mention saving for college, for future improvements to your life, for retirement. You expect your salary to include at least some contribution to at least some of these things. Therefore, you must expect that most prices you pay include some measure of contribution to capital investment, dividends, etc., of the company you're doing business with. It need not be evenly divided between the different prices listed; the contribution to profit should be divided up among the various prices based on what generates the best overall return to investors.

So what maxiesmom was pointing out was that the fees are associated with services you choose to receive. The price may or may not cover the cost - sometimes businesses have to charge less than things cost, either as a loss-leader or due to unfunded regulatory mandates - but generally the fees will cover the cost of the service plus whatever amount of the profit that the service's value can be used to generate. You should always expect to pay a price for a product or service close to the value of that product or service as perceived by the bulk of consumers on average. That's not to say consumers won't complain about paying for it (see above) - rarely do complaining customers admit when something is worth the price, but their paying it ratifies that it is.

And sorry, now more and more airlines are charging for carryon and checked luggage so what's the option there?

Don't go. That is always a choice, if you feel the overall cost of travel is not worth it. Again, if you pay it, then it is an unequivocal ratification that it is worth it. Any other contention is just a cop-out. As it is, you could ship your checked luggage, if you wish. What? It costs more and is less convenient because your luggage isn't waiting for you when you arrive? So what you're saying is that another company prices a less convenient service even higher - that makes it sound like the charge for luggage is a good deal, not a bad deal.

 

[kaytieeldr]

not sure I totally agree. By your logic, the charges are for a service provided? $150 to change a ticket? when even if you took into account the cost of the employee probably at most cost 30 bucks tops in total labor and materials.

But you're not paying for the employee's time. You're paying for the privilege of being able to change what should be a completely nonrefundable, nonchangeable ticket. Easiest way to avoid that fee is to purchase a (more expensive) unrestricted fare. Most passengers won't do that - but then they'll complain about the airline charging them $150 per ticket to make changes

160 bucks for a seat to recline back?

Fifty percent farther back than seats do now. Yes, it's expensive - but passengers on long distance flights might be willing to pay extra for the opportunity to be in more of a sleep-inducing position.

You can't randomly take the seat out and squeeze extra space in.

Actually, you can. Look down sometime when you enter your row. All the seats are on tracks. It's how American was so easily able to increase - and later decrease - legroom. You take out a row of seats, replace a few rows with seats or seatbacks with a greater angle of recline, and increase the pitch. Relatively simple.

I can't believe that is current, as Spirit isn't on there.

I can't either - because NWA is on it!

 

[KelnRon]

I'm surprised that Spirit isn't there

This!! I thought they were the worst.

 

[sam_gordon]

I wonder if they simply used how much money airlines collected in "fees" to determine the ranking? Notice the average "fee" per customer for Delta is $24. That's one checked bag. Coincidence? I don't think so. That means someone who is just a couple day trip may not check a bag and save some money. When you look at the number of people flying delta, that's where their fee money is coming from (quantity).

I do wonder how long ago this "study" was done.

 

[Lewisc]

I wonder if they simply used how much money airlines collected in "fees" to determine the ranking? Notice the average "fee" per customer for Delta is $24. That's one checked bag. Coincidence? I don't think so. That means someone who is just a couple day trip may not check a bag and save some money. When you look at the number of people flying delta, that's where their fee money is coming from (quantity).

I do wonder how long ago this "study" was done.

The report talks about 3Q 2009 fees. The average fee for Southwest is listed as $6. The only SW fee is $10 for EBCI. 60% of SWs passengers don't use EBCI.

The report is interesting, although dated and not 100% accurate.

Airlines like Spirit and Allegiant are much too small to be included in these kinds of studies.