Government plans crackdown on ‘drip pricing’
New consumer protection laws to combat drip pricing and hidden fees are in the works by the government.
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill came up in the King’s Speech which proposes new powers to strengthen price transparency.
Drip pricing is ubiquitous in low cost flight pricing, such as added fees like checked and excess luggage, priority seating and even for printing out boarding passes.
The drip pricing problem extends far beyond travel, with event tickets, online food ordering and sending packages just a few examples.
Which? describes drip pricing as an ‘underhanded way of squeezing extra cash out of consumers.’
“Airlines are making it difficult to compare ticket prices by adding fees for add-ons like seat selection late in the buying process,” said Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy.
Which” welcomed moves for legislation to tackle unfair pricing practices.
“However, it’s disappointing that the Prime Minister has failed to combat routine lawbreaking from airlines that often leaves passengers feeling abandoned and out of pocket.”
It once again called for the CAA to be giving fining powers to hold airlines to account.
Airlines have defending their so-called drip pricing tactics.
“Unbundling products and offering greater choice that consumers demand is an important way that airlines compete,” Airlines UK said.
Across all sectors, the bill could save consumers £9.7 billion over 10 years with stronger laws and more competition.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt