Travelore News: Trump Admin Scraps Obama-Era Proposal Requiring Airlines To Disclose Bag Fees

The Trump administration has scrapped an Obama-era proposal requiring airlines and ticket agencies to disclose baggage fees as soon as passengers start the process of buying a ticket.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) posted a notice on the Federal Register this week that it is withdrawing the proposed rule, along with another plan to force air carriers to disclose how much revenue they make from charging other ancillary fees.

The administration, which has made easing regulatory burdens for businesses a top priority, said the rules would have “limited public benefit.”

Airlines are already required to disclose information about optional service fees on their websites. But consumer groups say it’s still difficult for passengers to compare airfare ticket prices, fees and associated rules, and have pushed for more transparency at the start of the process.

And while airlines are required to disclose to federal regulators how much money they make from baggage fees, they are not required to report how much they charge for “optional” services, such as carry-on bags, seat selection and priority boarding, which have grown in recent years.

The DOT’s effort to kill the pair of Obama-era proposals drew ire from Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), who has been one of the leading voices in Congress pushing for airline consumer protections.

“Unbelievable. Pulling the plug on rules that would ensure airlines are open and honest about bag fees and other charges is about as anti-consumer as it gets,” Blumenthal tweeted. “The Trump Admin’s reckless reversal is a gift for the airlines’ bottom line — and a slap in the face for travelers who deserve clarity when buying a ticket."

Original article: http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/363956-trump-admin-scraps-obama-era-proposal-requiring-airlines-to-disclose

Travelore Tips: A Guide To Airline Baggage Fees And Policies

Airline baggage fees have been around for years. Yet, somehow, they still cause confusion and, for some, some budget surprises. However, savvy travelers can plan ahead, and possibly even save, if they dig into the fine print from the airlines. What is the cost for one or more bags? Do I have to factor in weight and size limitations? Does it cost more to bring one heavy bag or two lighter bags? Do I have to pay for skis or car seats? What are the baggage fees and policies for flying international vs domestic? What will fees add to the cost of my flight?

To help travelers get a better handle on this tricky aspect of flying, the travel experts at Cheapflights have compiled Check mate: A guide to airline baggage fees and policies.

As part of its research, Cheapflights polled 400 Americans and Canadians and found that 66% prefer to carry on their luggage for domestic flights, perhaps reflecting that bag fees are shaping travel habits.

When it came to international flights, however, people were almost evenly divided with 49.5% preferring to carry on their luggage and 50.5% preferring to check it.

In terms of how much to pay, among those polled, 41% of travelers felt it appropriate to pay $25 or less to check baggage.

A slightly smaller group (38% of travellers) were comfortable paying $50 or less, while 14% were willing to pay up to $75 to check their bags and only 7% were willing to pay as much as $100 to check their bags for a flight.

The range of responses to the survey fit with the wide range of rules for the airlines. From total baggage allowances to weight limits to different policies for domestic flights (in the airlines’ home country) to international flights, there’s a lot to know and understand for each airline. Here are a few key takeaways:

Second Bag Flies Free

For those who really want freedom from checked bag fees, check out these airlines that not only offer the first checked bag for free on both domestic and international flights but in fact offer a second checked bag for free.

1. Air India
2. All Nippon Airways
3. Emirates
4. Japan Airlines
5. Southwest Airlines

Other airlines, such as Etihad, Aurigny Air Services, Eva Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways let passengers check 2 bags if the total weight is less than 66lbs (30kg). And Korean Airlines, Philippines Airlines, China Eastern and Turkish Airlines permit 2 checked pieces if the total weight is 44lbs (20kg) or less.

Hawaiian Airlines doesn’t charge for a second bag on international flights while Korean Air includes two free bags on domestic flights if the combined weight doesn’t exceed 44lbs (20kg).

The Carry-On Club

Some airlines take their à la carte pricing model to the extreme, including only a personal item that fits under your seat as part of the price of the ticket. If you want to bring a larger carry-on, these airlines will add these charges:

1. Allegiant Air – US$15-$25 (depending on destination)
2. Frontier Airlines – US$30-$35
3. Spirit Airlines – US$35
4. Wow Airlines – US$20-$40

Airline Fees: Dozens Of New Charges Added For 2013

Contributed by the Huffington Post.

Airlines have added more than 50 new fees over the past year, new data from the website TravelNerd show.

The finance-oriented site found dozens of "direct fee increases" on already existing charges, as well as 28 new baggage-related fees levied in January 2013 compared to January 2012.

The fees add an estimated $36.1 billion annually to airlines' bottom lines, according to TravelNerd.

Increasing fees for the same service are a big part of the uptick. For example, Spirit Airlines' premium seat fee, which was $25-$75, is now as much as $199 depending on the flight.

The only good news, TravelNerd reports, is that the increases are generally modest. "The majority of fee increases were within $5-$10," the site writes.

While some fees are nearly unavoidable, travelers can prepare for them. A newly released Airfarewatchdog super-survey of U.S. airlines' charges is a good place to start.