Comments on: 3 secrets for fighting the latest round of fuel surcharges http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-for-fighting-the-latest-round-of-fuel-surcharges/ The travel troubleshooter. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:17:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Josephine Lee-Joe http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-for-fighting-the-latest-round-of-fuel-surcharges/comment-page-1/#comment-10855 Josephine Lee-Joe Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:09:36 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-for-fighting-the-latest-round-of-fuel-surcharges/#comment-10855 We've also been affected by the fuel surcharge on Discovery/Grand Scandanavian cruise. We're charged AUD145p/p for a 18 night cruise (one night incidentally is in a London hotel). While I am objecting to this increase, I've been informed of another increase of $15 p/n unless I paid the balance by April 24 instead of the original date of 21 May. What are our rights? We’ve also been affected by the fuel surcharge on Discovery/Grand Scandanavian cruise. We’re charged AUD145p/p for a 18 night cruise (one night incidentally is in a London hotel). While I am objecting to this increase, I’ve been informed of another increase of $15 p/n unless I paid the balance by April 24 instead of the original date of 21 May. What are our rights?

]]> By: jen h http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-for-fighting-the-latest-round-of-fuel-surcharges/comment-page-1/#comment-10050 jen h Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:51:25 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-for-fighting-the-latest-round-of-fuel-surcharges/#comment-10050 We cruised in Feb. 08' with Holland America. The cruise was paid in full in Nov. 07'. On the second day of the cruise we recieved a notice that our ship board account had been charged $70.00 for a fuel charge. This is really frustrating. Needless to say we will not be cruising again with Holland America or any other cruise line unless we know the exact price. We cruised in Feb. 08′ with Holland America. The cruise was paid in full in Nov. 07′. On the second day of the cruise we recieved a notice that our ship board account had been charged $70.00 for a fuel charge. This is really frustrating. Needless to say we will not be cruising again with Holland America or any other cruise line unless we know the exact price.

]]> By: Chris http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-for-fighting-the-latest-round-of-fuel-surcharges/comment-page-1/#comment-7113 Chris Fri, 14 Dec 2007 15:56:27 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-for-fighting-the-latest-round-of-fuel-surcharges/#comment-7113 BA and certain other airlines, as well as various cruise and other carrier companies have been legitimately caught and prosecuted for artificially imposing Q surcharges as fuel surcharges. By contrast, actual, legitimate Q surcharges ARE government imposed taxes. The airline does not get to keep that money - they must pass it on to the government in question. And no, they are not the same for all airlines in all markets. I'll give you one particular example to demonstrate my point. There is a route that Singapore Airlines operates between Singapore (SIN) and Hong Kong (HKG). A passenger who flies that itinerary on one of Singapore Airline's larger aircraft (a specific aircraft type) will be charged an extra $300 USD per direction as a fuel surcharge. It is imposed by the government responsible for fares to/from Hong Kong and only applies to planes of that particular type. By 'odd coincidence' only Singapore Airlines flies that route with those planes. If you were to fly the same route on Singapore Airlines on a different aircraft type or with any other airline, that surcharge does not apply. It is not something that the airline has a role in determining, and the airline does not get to keep the surcharge. In neither case is the surcharge fair to the travelling public, however, as with regular gas taxes in most countries, it is unfair to blame the pricing on the airline when, in this example, Hong Kong requires an extra $600 per person for round trip flights on those particular aircraft. Other countries also have their examples of legitimately legislated government imposed surcharges and taxes. Each country has their version of tax legislation in play. In some cases it is under the forum of 'environmental protection.' In others the words 'fuel/energy conservation' are used. For some the surcharges are called 'luxury taxes'. Whatever the words used to describe them, the governments involved use those reasons for why they impose these additional fees, often as multiples of the actual base fare in net result. In most cases, the airlines, in particular, are implementing the surcharges based on what is added to their base fares by a computer at IATA, who acts as the clearing house to distribute the funds to the airlines and the various governments in turn. In some cases, in particular, some airlines are implementing surcharges that are not government imposed surcharges (the example from this year is BA). Bottom line - legitimate and costly surcharges are imposed most often by governments, not carriers. In those cases it is imperative to have governments reverse their position to end the penalizing of passengers for arbitrary legislative decisions. For those airlines and carriers who are imposing illegitimate surcharges masquerading as legal government imposed ones, the flying public should ensure the carriers in question are made acutely aware of their displeasure. BA and certain other airlines, as well as various cruise and other carrier companies have been legitimately caught and prosecuted for artificially imposing Q surcharges as fuel surcharges. By contrast, actual, legitimate Q surcharges ARE government imposed taxes. The airline does not get to keep that money – they must pass it on to the government in question. And no, they are not the same for all airlines in all markets.

I’ll give you one particular example to demonstrate my point.

There is a route that Singapore Airlines operates between Singapore (SIN) and Hong Kong (HKG). A passenger who flies that itinerary on one of Singapore Airline’s larger aircraft (a specific aircraft type) will be charged an extra $300 USD per direction as a fuel surcharge. It is imposed by the government responsible for fares to/from Hong Kong and only applies to planes of that particular type. By ‘odd coincidence’ only Singapore Airlines flies that route with those planes.

If you were to fly the same route on Singapore Airlines on a different aircraft type or with any other airline, that surcharge does not apply.

It is not something that the airline has a role in determining, and the airline does not get to keep the surcharge.

In neither case is the surcharge fair to the travelling public, however, as with regular gas taxes in most countries, it is unfair to blame the pricing on the airline when, in this example, Hong Kong requires an extra $600 per person for round trip flights on those particular aircraft. Other countries also have their examples of legitimately legislated government imposed surcharges and taxes.

Each country has their version of tax legislation in play. In some cases it is under the forum of ‘environmental protection.’ In others the words ‘fuel/energy conservation’ are used. For some the surcharges are called ‘luxury taxes’. Whatever the words used to describe them, the governments involved use those reasons for why they impose these additional fees, often as multiples of the actual base fare in net result.

In most cases, the airlines, in particular, are implementing the surcharges based on what is added to their base fares by a computer at IATA, who acts as the clearing house to distribute the funds to the airlines and the various governments in turn. In some cases, in particular, some airlines are implementing surcharges that are not government imposed surcharges (the example from this year is BA).

Bottom line – legitimate and costly surcharges are imposed most often by governments, not carriers. In those cases it is imperative to have governments reverse their position to end the penalizing of passengers for arbitrary legislative decisions.

For those airlines and carriers who are imposing illegitimate surcharges masquerading as legal government imposed ones, the flying public should ensure the carriers in question are made acutely aware of their displeasure.

]]> By: Kara http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-for-fighting-the-latest-round-of-fuel-surcharges/comment-page-1/#comment-6765 Kara Sun, 02 Dec 2007 04:36:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-for-fighting-the-latest-round-of-fuel-surcharges/#comment-6765 I agree with a previous statement...Carnival added $50 to my bill, I'm tipping them $50 less. After fully paying for my cruise, it is wrong to charge me more money! I agree with a previous statement…Carnival added $50 to my bill, I’m tipping them $50 less. After fully paying for my cruise, it is wrong to charge me more money!

]]> By: CruisinGenie http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-for-fighting-the-latest-round-of-fuel-surcharges/comment-page-1/#comment-6751 CruisinGenie Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:13:06 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-for-fighting-the-latest-round-of-fuel-surcharges/#comment-6751 It's good to see people are actually outraged by the blatant price-gouging on cruises. Carnival PLC's and Royal Caribbean's profits are up -- but they claim to need additional money to stay afloat.... and we should believe this? It gets more absurd when Windstar, with 3 sailing vessels, jumps on the bandwagon for a $17 per day per couple "fuel" surcharge. Does the wind now cost more? It seems the voice of Wall Street has spoken -- the cruise lines need to make even more profits -- and the cruising public... well, "let them eat cake." It’s good to see people are actually outraged by the blatant price-gouging on cruises. Carnival PLC’s and Royal Caribbean’s profits are up — but they claim to need additional money to stay afloat…. and we should believe this? It gets more absurd when Windstar, with 3 sailing vessels, jumps on the bandwagon for a $17 per day per couple “fuel” surcharge. Does the wind now cost more?

It seems the voice of Wall Street has spoken — the cruise lines need to make even more profits — and the cruising public… well, “let them eat cake.”

]]> By: Victoria Ward http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-for-fighting-the-latest-round-of-fuel-surcharges/comment-page-1/#comment-6633 Victoria Ward Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:04:20 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-for-fighting-the-latest-round-of-fuel-surcharges/#comment-6633 I am so happy that you posted these articles. When my travel agent emailed me about the new cost of our RCCL cruise in Oct 08. I immediately asked how they could do that - that I wanted to see in their contract where they were able to this. I can't deduct money from my cruise since I am paying more in fuel at home or traveling to the airport/cruiseline. I emailed her copies of links from your articles asking her to go back to RCCL. I am so happy that you posted these articles. When my travel agent emailed me about the new cost of our RCCL cruise in Oct 08. I immediately asked how they could do that – that I wanted to see in their contract where they were able to this. I can’t deduct money from my cruise since I am paying more in fuel at home or traveling to the airport/cruiseline.

I emailed her copies of links from your articles asking her to go back to RCCL.

]]> By: Jaxon http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-for-fighting-the-latest-round-of-fuel-surcharges/comment-page-1/#comment-6313 Jaxon Tue, 20 Nov 2007 03:54:46 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-for-fighting-the-latest-round-of-fuel-surcharges/#comment-6313 Many have written the Fl. AG regarding the fuel surcharge imposed by the cruise lines. RCI's contract clearly says that after deposit there can be no increases except for taxes and other government imposed fees. Carnival's contract appears to allow a fuel surcharge, but they were party to a 1997 Fl AG settlement which did not allow, according to the AG press release, anything to be tacked on to the initial price except taxes and government fees, so the voidability of the language in their contract should be questioned since the initial price would not have included the surcharge (prior to the announcement). People have received emails and phone calls form the Fl AG. According to a post at cruisecritic, a preliminary investigation of the cruise lines has been opened. My email said the matter had been referred to the economic crimes division. If you have not yet filed a complaint with the Fl AG and your own state AG, you should do so, whether you are only deposited, or fully paid and being assessed this fuel charge. Many have written the Fl. AG regarding the fuel surcharge imposed by the cruise lines. RCI’s contract clearly says that after deposit there can be no increases except for taxes and other government imposed fees. Carnival’s contract appears to allow a fuel surcharge, but they were party to a 1997 Fl AG settlement which did not allow, according to the AG press release, anything to be tacked on to the initial price except taxes and government fees, so the voidability of the language in their contract should be questioned since the initial price would not have included the surcharge (prior to the announcement).

People have received emails and phone calls form the Fl AG. According to a post at cruisecritic, a preliminary investigation of the cruise lines has been opened. My email said the matter had been referred to the economic crimes division.

If you have not yet filed a complaint with the Fl AG and your own state AG, you should do so, whether you are only deposited, or fully paid and being assessed this fuel charge.

]]> By: Len http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-for-fighting-the-latest-round-of-fuel-surcharges/comment-page-1/#comment-6199 Len Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:02:51 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-for-fighting-the-latest-round-of-fuel-surcharges/#comment-6199 We were fully paid on Carnival Cruises as of Oct 19/07, for a cruise in Feb, 2008. Today we got invoiced an additional $80 "Fuel Surcharge". WE WON'T BE BENDING OVER FOR CARNIVAL EVER AGAIN!!! We were fully paid on Carnival Cruises as of Oct 19/07, for a cruise in Feb, 2008. Today we got invoiced an additional $80 “Fuel Surcharge”.
WE WON’T BE BENDING OVER FOR CARNIVAL EVER AGAIN!!!

]]> By: Don http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-for-fighting-the-latest-round-of-fuel-surcharges/comment-page-1/#comment-6196 Don Tue, 13 Nov 2007 18:15:12 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-for-fighting-the-latest-round-of-fuel-surcharges/#comment-6196 It should be noted that the cruise lines are doing the same thing with tax increases. Princes tried to do this to me before my last cruise, on the day that I made my final payment, and intered the penalty period when I couldn't cancel without a fee. I asked my TA to help, and the only response that she got from Customer Service was "that's our policy, and you can't do anything about it". I contacted them myself, and received the same response. I then contacted Jan Swartz, VP of Customer Relations, and I told him that without action on his part to remove the charge, my next contacts would be his boss, Alan Buckelew, and more importantly, well-recognized travel ombudsmen (Thanks, Chris!). The charges were promptly removed. It should be noted that the cruise lines are doing the same thing with tax increases. Princes tried to do this to me before my last cruise, on the day that I made my final payment, and intered the penalty period when I couldn’t cancel without a fee. I asked my TA to help, and the only response that she got from Customer Service was “that’s our policy, and you can’t do anything about it”. I contacted them myself, and received the same response. I then contacted Jan Swartz, VP of Customer Relations, and I told him that without action on his part to remove the charge, my next contacts would be his boss, Alan Buckelew, and more importantly, well-recognized travel ombudsmen (Thanks, Chris!). The charges were promptly removed.

]]> By: Jennifer Brown http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-for-fighting-the-latest-round-of-fuel-surcharges/comment-page-1/#comment-6195 Jennifer Brown Tue, 13 Nov 2007 17:18:50 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/3-secrets-for-fighting-the-latest-round-of-fuel-surcharges/#comment-6195 Elliott, I completely agree that the fuel surcharges are getting out of hand but I also just read in a Sydney newpaper that it would cost American Airlines LESS to gorund their flights for a day and refund the customer; than fly with the cost of fuel on long haul flights. With the price of oil and world currencies fluctuacting so much everyday how can the airlines stay competitive by just flat out raising prices. What if the price of oil drops? or the dollar changes? By no means am I on the side of the airlines, personally I think we should go back to having the airlines regulated again. Thanks, Jennifer Brown Fairview Travel Portland, OR Elliott,
I completely agree that the fuel surcharges are getting out of hand but I also just read in a Sydney newpaper that it would cost American Airlines LESS to gorund their flights for a day and refund the customer; than fly with the cost of fuel on long haul flights. With the price of oil and world currencies fluctuacting so much everyday how can the airlines stay competitive by just flat out raising prices. What if the price of oil drops? or the dollar changes? By no means am I on the side of the airlines, personally I think we should go back to having the airlines regulated again.

Thanks,
Jennifer Brown
Fairview Travel
Portland, OR

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