Companies analyze “abandoned carts.” So when you have free time (but no intention to travel), click on a low-cost flight, then when you reach the checkout page and crazy surprise extra charges appear, just close your browser tab – without paying, of course. Eventually the airlines might get the message.
Is this ethical? Let’s just say if they feel they can surprise me, I feel I can surprise them.
"We cheat the other guy and pass the savings on to you!" Whenever possible I shop travel carefully and add up the total cost of the booking vs the value I receive. I have taken a hard look at some travel and decided it wasn't worth the expense and trouble.
Often the passenger's or the guest's employer dictates what airline to fly or what hotel to stay at. So the passenger or guest has even less bargaining power. On the other hand here the passenger or guest is not paying for it
Who said he would rather take a train? I was sizing up a train trip and the thought in my mind today October 12 is that on a train it is easier for a thief to steal baggage while the owner is in the rest room, and get off the train before being caught, compared with pilfering from an overhead bin in a plane. More simply the travel experience on a train has its differences.
As I see it, the consumer who wants to travel really does not have a choice. If you want to go overseas, you need to fly or take a cruise so you need to pay what is charged. Also, the consumer who wants to travel within their country will need a place to stay. How to protest these deceptive practices when a person wants to travel is beyond my perception. The only true method that would work would be for most people to just stay home and boycott the companies.
As for hotels and hidden fees: book a LEGAL (meaning licensed, inspected, insured - it will have a website, not just an OTA platform listing). In the name of full disclosure, I am the owner/host of a legal Bed & Breakfast. My posted rates (as in most legal B & Bs) includes breakfast, WiFi, cable TV, FREE PARKING (I will be paying $50 +17.5% tax for parking per night at a Conference that was NOT disclosed until I asked),. What I include that others may not is charging statins for your EV, choice of breakfast time (I am small (3 rooms) so I AM able to do this), choice of breakfast meat, an roast the coffee of the guest's choice of Country for their breakfast. Each B & & has heir own amenity that is unique. Look for the VALUE and the service. AND if they happen to be listed on an OTA (many think they must for exposure) go to their website and book direct - you will then be the customer of the B & B, not of the OTA, and the rate will most likely be less than the OTA price (the host will no be having to pay gouging commission).
Re flying: IF I must, my luggage is a backpack that can fit under the seat, I wear a fanny pack and cargo pants - I learned years ago no purse as my personal item. I drive if possible and route to visit as much family & friends as logistically possible without going more than 50 miles out of my way to the destination (and I still drive up to 12 hours as a day's drive).
Christopher, this struck such a chord. My husband Nigel and I have been slow traveling full-time for over a year, and even though we fly infrequently, we’ve watched the joy of air travel shrink with every extra fee and every smaller seat.
It’s wild — we plan our routes months ahead, book one-way tickets, and even we sometimes find ourselves saying, “Well, that’s just how it is now.” Your reminder that resignation isn’t the same as acceptance really resonated.
Maybe that’s the traveler’s quiet rebellion: to keep expecting better, to keep voting with our feet (and our wallets). Thank you for saying what so many of us have been muttering under our breath at 30,000 feet. -Kelly
I recently had an annoying experience with Jet Blue . I’m 79 with mobility issues(wheelchair to/from plane) .Although I can walk down aisle holding seat backs, I usually call accessibility number and get an aisle seat close to the front of plane and any fee is usually waived Not so with Jet Blue, All no fee seats except middle seats were booked .the best they good do is row 9 in next class up but at $ 37 each which they would not waive , this was despite accessibility statement on website specifically reserves row1 for people with accessibility needs
Unfortunately I have to use a wheelchair to get from the drop off area to the plane I also use a walker but can’t handle the long walk. I’ve run across many people who abuse the airline’s policy of early boarding. Too many times I’ve seen people use the “disability “ to board early then at the arrival airport dash off the plane and literally run to baggage area like a pro football player! In the meantime I have to sit on the plane while everyone else disembarks! How unfair! Unfortunately too many ill mannered and fakers use this amenity. There’s got to be a better way to prevent these fakers from abusing this privilege. I have to have a handicap placard to prove I’m handicapped. Maybe the airlines need to require this!
I am thinking back to earlier trips, and I do mean earlier. I remember when airfare for my wife and I to get to Europe was $2400 in uninflated dollars. Of course the hotel was under $40 a night with no attempts at add-ons, and food was a lot cheaper, too. I remember when if you saw an advertised price for a plane ticket you could double it to include taxes, fees, fuel, and who knows what else. I remember when entry fees were small or free.
That was then, this is now. We pay it because we want what it buys, even if the seller is playing games with pricing. If I boycott, someone else will not, so what does that get me? Did Marco Polo complain about the cost of travel too?
I quit Southwest 20 years ago, when flying from Orlando to Sacramento with an A ticket. I watched 7 wheelchairs turn into 40 people drafting behind with D and F tickets. They took all the preferred seats in the plane. Oh, and none them sat with "granny", and 3 of the wheelchair occupants walked off. While I pay more for first or business class, I feel I'm getting what I pay for (checked bags, early boarding, complimentary drinks, meals, plenty of overhead space), and not having to watch people gaming the system at my expense.
I understand but we have to decided if making travel accessible is higher priority than a “ money talks” approach . Orlando is particularly bad because of all us old folks .I do think priority boarding should be limited to 1 companion .See my comment about seating on Jet Blue Henry Strozeski
Please keep in mind that many disabilities (both the ones you can see and the ones that are invisible) aren’t all or nothing. A legally blind person typically has some vision, even if it’s just a pinhole or detecting light and shadows. Someone in a WC may need them for long distances but can still walk around their house. I was able to arrange a WC and attendant for my elderly mom to navigate around DFW, but she didn’t need it when arriving at her tiny home airport. As annoying as those ‘miracle cures’ may be, please keep in mind that all may not be as it appears.
People need to actively tell companies they won't pay more for basic services. When I traveled in my youth, the ticket was much fairer because it included everything. Also, it was easy to make a quick stopover, food was served, etc. Now it's 'bullying behavior' over everything. That's what 'nickel and dime' really means. So, unfortunately, you need to speak up. I do this at airline check-in counters, "Could you put the tape on my baggage? I can't do that." Importantly, it's everywhere in the USA. At a grocery store they guide you to self-check out. I say, "I need someone to check me out. Thanks." I like Trader Joe's because they never force work onto you like this. You need to voice refusal; otherwise, companies will take advantage. So, until they get sick of hearing about it, they'll continue to do this.
Companies analyze “abandoned carts.” So when you have free time (but no intention to travel), click on a low-cost flight, then when you reach the checkout page and crazy surprise extra charges appear, just close your browser tab – without paying, of course. Eventually the airlines might get the message.
Is this ethical? Let’s just say if they feel they can surprise me, I feel I can surprise them.
"We cheat the other guy and pass the savings on to you!" Whenever possible I shop travel carefully and add up the total cost of the booking vs the value I receive. I have taken a hard look at some travel and decided it wasn't worth the expense and trouble.
American carriers “ suck balls”. I’d rather take a train any day! ( and I’m a retired ALPA captain).
Well, that's one way of putting it! Always good to hear from an insider.
Often the passenger's or the guest's employer dictates what airline to fly or what hotel to stay at. So the passenger or guest has even less bargaining power. On the other hand here the passenger or guest is not paying for it
Who said he would rather take a train? I was sizing up a train trip and the thought in my mind today October 12 is that on a train it is easier for a thief to steal baggage while the owner is in the rest room, and get off the train before being caught, compared with pilfering from an overhead bin in a plane. More simply the travel experience on a train has its differences.
It is certainly possible but I have traveled extensively by train without ever having an issue.
As I see it, the consumer who wants to travel really does not have a choice. If you want to go overseas, you need to fly or take a cruise so you need to pay what is charged. Also, the consumer who wants to travel within their country will need a place to stay. How to protest these deceptive practices when a person wants to travel is beyond my perception. The only true method that would work would be for most people to just stay home and boycott the companies.
You're right, for some trips, the airlines are the only option.
This is capitalism run free that has abandoned service for profit. Simple explanation, I’m afraid.
As for hotels and hidden fees: book a LEGAL (meaning licensed, inspected, insured - it will have a website, not just an OTA platform listing). In the name of full disclosure, I am the owner/host of a legal Bed & Breakfast. My posted rates (as in most legal B & Bs) includes breakfast, WiFi, cable TV, FREE PARKING (I will be paying $50 +17.5% tax for parking per night at a Conference that was NOT disclosed until I asked),. What I include that others may not is charging statins for your EV, choice of breakfast time (I am small (3 rooms) so I AM able to do this), choice of breakfast meat, an roast the coffee of the guest's choice of Country for their breakfast. Each B & & has heir own amenity that is unique. Look for the VALUE and the service. AND if they happen to be listed on an OTA (many think they must for exposure) go to their website and book direct - you will then be the customer of the B & B, not of the OTA, and the rate will most likely be less than the OTA price (the host will no be having to pay gouging commission).
Re flying: IF I must, my luggage is a backpack that can fit under the seat, I wear a fanny pack and cargo pants - I learned years ago no purse as my personal item. I drive if possible and route to visit as much family & friends as logistically possible without going more than 50 miles out of my way to the destination (and I still drive up to 12 hours as a day's drive).
Christopher, this struck such a chord. My husband Nigel and I have been slow traveling full-time for over a year, and even though we fly infrequently, we’ve watched the joy of air travel shrink with every extra fee and every smaller seat.
It’s wild — we plan our routes months ahead, book one-way tickets, and even we sometimes find ourselves saying, “Well, that’s just how it is now.” Your reminder that resignation isn’t the same as acceptance really resonated.
Maybe that’s the traveler’s quiet rebellion: to keep expecting better, to keep voting with our feet (and our wallets). Thank you for saying what so many of us have been muttering under our breath at 30,000 feet. -Kelly
I recently had an annoying experience with Jet Blue . I’m 79 with mobility issues(wheelchair to/from plane) .Although I can walk down aisle holding seat backs, I usually call accessibility number and get an aisle seat close to the front of plane and any fee is usually waived Not so with Jet Blue, All no fee seats except middle seats were booked .the best they good do is row 9 in next class up but at $ 37 each which they would not waive , this was despite accessibility statement on website specifically reserves row1 for people with accessibility needs
Unfortunately I have to use a wheelchair to get from the drop off area to the plane I also use a walker but can’t handle the long walk. I’ve run across many people who abuse the airline’s policy of early boarding. Too many times I’ve seen people use the “disability “ to board early then at the arrival airport dash off the plane and literally run to baggage area like a pro football player! In the meantime I have to sit on the plane while everyone else disembarks! How unfair! Unfortunately too many ill mannered and fakers use this amenity. There’s got to be a better way to prevent these fakers from abusing this privilege. I have to have a handicap placard to prove I’m handicapped. Maybe the airlines need to require this!
I am thinking back to earlier trips, and I do mean earlier. I remember when airfare for my wife and I to get to Europe was $2400 in uninflated dollars. Of course the hotel was under $40 a night with no attempts at add-ons, and food was a lot cheaper, too. I remember when if you saw an advertised price for a plane ticket you could double it to include taxes, fees, fuel, and who knows what else. I remember when entry fees were small or free.
That was then, this is now. We pay it because we want what it buys, even if the seller is playing games with pricing. If I boycott, someone else will not, so what does that get me? Did Marco Polo complain about the cost of travel too?
I quit Southwest 20 years ago, when flying from Orlando to Sacramento with an A ticket. I watched 7 wheelchairs turn into 40 people drafting behind with D and F tickets. They took all the preferred seats in the plane. Oh, and none them sat with "granny", and 3 of the wheelchair occupants walked off. While I pay more for first or business class, I feel I'm getting what I pay for (checked bags, early boarding, complimentary drinks, meals, plenty of overhead space), and not having to watch people gaming the system at my expense.
I understand but we have to decided if making travel accessible is higher priority than a “ money talks” approach . Orlando is particularly bad because of all us old folks .I do think priority boarding should be limited to 1 companion .See my comment about seating on Jet Blue Henry Strozeski
Please keep in mind that many disabilities (both the ones you can see and the ones that are invisible) aren’t all or nothing. A legally blind person typically has some vision, even if it’s just a pinhole or detecting light and shadows. Someone in a WC may need them for long distances but can still walk around their house. I was able to arrange a WC and attendant for my elderly mom to navigate around DFW, but she didn’t need it when arriving at her tiny home airport. As annoying as those ‘miracle cures’ may be, please keep in mind that all may not be as it appears.
The wheelchairs were less the issue than the drafters gaming the system.
People need to actively tell companies they won't pay more for basic services. When I traveled in my youth, the ticket was much fairer because it included everything. Also, it was easy to make a quick stopover, food was served, etc. Now it's 'bullying behavior' over everything. That's what 'nickel and dime' really means. So, unfortunately, you need to speak up. I do this at airline check-in counters, "Could you put the tape on my baggage? I can't do that." Importantly, it's everywhere in the USA. At a grocery store they guide you to self-check out. I say, "I need someone to check me out. Thanks." I like Trader Joe's because they never force work onto you like this. You need to voice refusal; otherwise, companies will take advantage. So, until they get sick of hearing about it, they'll continue to do this.