US set to get tough with airlines over ‘hidden’ fees
US airlines would have to fully disclose added charges for baggage and seat assignment at point of sale under proposed new consumer protection rules.
Fees are not always clearly stated when buying a ticket, the US Department of Transportation says.
“Knowledge is power, and our latest proposal helps ensure consumers have clear and accurate information when choosing among air transportation options,” transportation secretary Anthony Foxx said.
The rules would apply regardless of where the ticket was booked – on the phone, in person or online.
Airlines who work with travel agents and online ticket agencies would have to pass on all relevant information regarding added fees.
“A customer can buy a ticket for $200 and find themselves with a hidden $100 baggage fee, and may have turned down a $250 ticket with no baggage fee, but the customer was never able to make that choice,” Secretary Anthony Foxx said.
The proposal is to put an end to “unfair and deceptive” practices, the DOT said, but the main trade association for the airline industry disagrees.
The proposal “overreaches and limits how free markets work,” according to Airlines for America.
The government also wants to extend the rule to cover flight search websites which do not actually sell tickets direct, such as Kayak and Google’s Flight Search.
There is a 90-day consultation period for public comments.
The fee disclosure rules are part of a broader programme of changes proposed for the airline industry which include the reporting of on-time performance data for smaller airlines and enhanced ‘customer service commitments’ from major airline ticket agents.
by Ray Montgomery, Editor TravelMole US
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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