Mad as hell about all those add-on airline fees? Baggage fees, change your ticket reservation fees, extra legroom fees, even fees for getting a blanket or pillow on board. The airlines earned more than $2 billion just during April, May and June of 2010 on these fees, and nearly half of that — more than $800 million — was from the add-on fees for checked baggage. That $25 or $30 you pay for every suitcase certainly adds up to a wad of cash for the airlines. At least they aren’t charging us to use the bathroom — yet. Ryanair already has announced it’s considering that.
If you hate these fees — as I do — you’ll be happy to know that Sept. 23 is Mad as Hell About Airline Fees day. Help stop these annoying add-on fees by signing a petition to US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
This article on the Sky Talk blog has an airline by airline break-out on exactly how much money the airlines are making on these fees. Even tiny Allegiant Airlines earned $14 million in three months from bag check fees, so you can imagine how much the biggies Delta, United, American and Continental packed in.
And it’s not just the airlines that are killing us with hidden add-on fees. Let’s include the hotel industry, for adding on resort fees, fees to use the hotel gym, fees to check in early or check out late, or both. Some hotels are adding $1 or $2 to your bill for the charity the hotel company supports. What are the world’s most outrageous hotel fees? Travel & Leisure has the list, and how to avoid them.
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