Comments on: Like it or not, airline tacks $10.95 travel insurance to ticket

By: Oops! Airline tacks $10.95 travel insurance to ticket | Galaxy Shopping

Oops! Airline tacks $10.95 travel insurance to ticket | Galaxy Shopping — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:30:58 +0000

[...] 17 comments [...]

By: Rosemary Olson

Rosemary Olson — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:26:00 +0000

I have just the opposite problem. I purchased a ticket for my husband to go hunting in Bozeman, MT and purchased trip assurance, you never know if you are going to get sick or something! Our something turned out to be a tornado hit our farm, we had over $80,000. dollars damage and 5 months later can not get in to some parts of our cow pasture, no fences means the cows can’t go there either. My husband has been exhausted all summer trying to catch up and can’t possibly leve on a hunting trip.I contacted accessamerica, NW insurance company stating on 9/5 and I finally got a letter from them today 10/14 and the trip was to leave on 10/9. They only care if our house is uninhabitable which its not(Thank God)but I still paid for insurance that isn’t worth anything.Nothing like stalling a customer. Anybody else with accessamerica nightmares out there?

By: Joel Maron

Joel Maron — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:41:48 +0000

I had the same problem with Frontier. I missed unchecking the box and was stuck with insurance I didn’t want. I feel totally cheated. It’s a sleazy practice. And contrary to what their spokesman told you above, they do not immediately refund the money with a call. I had to call customer service, then call AIG and then send an email to AIG requesting a refund. This just happened today, but I have yet to receive a reply. This one second mistake has cost me a lot of time and frustration. I have no respect for this type of practice. Who is Frontier kidding?

By: simon hb

simon hb — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:37:15 +0000

Did I read the Frontier response correctly there – “good lord, with outrageous change fees like we screw you over for, you’re gonna need insurance if you buy a ticket with us”?

By: noah

noah — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:06:11 +0000

While opt-outs may not be “industry standard,” they are quite common. This should be a lesson to consumer to review all of each page they click through when making online purchases. That said, I also think that it was right that this person got a refund.

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:44:03 +0000

A buyer should not have to uncheck boxes to NOT buy unnecessary, peripheral items. Especially when the vast majority of their customers do not want the additional product.

When you go through the McDonald’s drivethru, they don’t automatically add fries to your order and make it your responsibility to tell them you don’t want fries.

Of course, we know why they do it. That 25% of upsales would be considerably less if buyers had to express a desire for the other product.

By: Beth

Beth — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:23:56 +0000

Actually, “opting-out” is quite common, whether it’s ethical or not. You see it all the time when you sign up for newsletters and such, and these “add ons” to airfare and other travel services are becoming more common as partnerships strike up between companies.

I personally don’t like opt-outs but noticeable or not, it’s up to customers to read the fine print when they book.

And no, that $10.95 is not going directly to Frontier. I’m guessing they get a few bucks as commission, that’s all. The rest goes to AIG.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:54:50 +0000

Be warned – AIG is NOTORIOUS for using the information it gathers to market excessively to everyone whose name they get. They will call 2-3 times per day, and claim that you are a client.

By: J C

J C — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:42:29 +0000

Spirit also does the opt out for insurance. they also include an opt out for their $9.00 fare club for a double bubble. Cute. Both of these boxes are clear and in full view. If you are paying attention you will see it, but i’m sure some people don’t pay attention and this is what they are counting on.

They could just as well display these boxes and ask people to opt in if they wish.

You shouldn’t be required to opt out of an automatic tack on, especially Spirit’s $9.00 club.

It’s Tacky

By: Shane

Shane — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:33:18 +0000

I just received an email from Frontier today about their mileage program (Early Returns). All of the fees have been raised (more than double in some cases). The amount of miles needed for a one way ticket went up 50% and 33% for a round trip. Looks like Frontier is looking like all the other airlines.

Chris,

I emailed you the letter for your information.

By: Joe Farrell

Joe Farrell — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:30:18 +0000

Does ANYONE think the insurance covers the airline going out of business?

Lets get the actual insurance ‘policy’ and see what it says – mind you almost EVERY state has a rule against marketing a fee waiver or fee reimbursement scheme as ‘insurance.’ Where is AIG licensed since this not AIG insurance company backing this product – there is no guarantee fund for this – AIG Travel services goes belly up when Frontier stops honoring tickets and exactly how do policy ‘holders’ get their money?

Ever read a travel policy? Pre-existing conditions are not covered? Been treated for say, high blood pressure? Get a heart attack and be unable to travel – guess what? No coverage since HBP is a symptom of coronary disease. This list is endless folks.

By: Christopher Elliott

Christopher Elliott — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:58:23 +0000

I’m glad to see that Frontier has updated its Web page. Nice work!

By: Joe Mosman

Joe Mosman — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:46:25 +0000

The box is pre-checked. “Yes, I want to purchase AIG insurance”. In huge blue letters going accross the entire page it clearly states PLEASE UNCHECK THE BOX ABOVE IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO PURCHASE AIG INSURANCE.

I don’t see how much clearer it could be. If you pay the slightest bit of attention to what you’re doing you would not be “duped” as this person, and Chris Elliott, are claiming.

Come on!

By: Carver Farrow

Carver Farrow — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:41:43 +0000

@john

I have to respectfully and strongly disagree. As Chris correctly states, opt-out provisions are not considered an acceptable or ethical way to do business. Opt-out provisions are generally the purview of shady operators and Spam merchants. They operate on the sole premise that same percentage of the buying public won’t notice the little extra transaction. Shame on Frontiers for descending into the muck and mire just to earn a few extra dollars.

By: John

John — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:12:54 +0000

I just went out to the Frontier site to try this out. Unless they have re-designed it already (which, in and of itself, would show quick response to customer feedback), I do not find the opt-out section for this insurance “very hard to even notice.” It is the same size font as the flight information, has a full-sized grey header bar, a full-color logo for AIG Travel Guard, and bright blue text stating ‘If you do not want to purchase travel insurance, please uncheck the box above.’ Also, you have to scroll past this section to get to where you enter your credit card information. Consumers need to be aware on EVERY e-commerce site these days, and I think it is unfair to single out Frontier on this one, nor do I fault them for attempting to increase revenue on their site.

- A loyal Frontier (non-employee) Frequent Flyer member