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Want an all-inclusive airline ticket price? Then sign this petition now

October 3, 2008

If you’re angry about deceptive airline ticket prices — and let’s be honest, who isn’t? — here’s some good news. A travel site largely responsible for Europe’s new price transparency rule is taking aim at the U.S., and it needs your help.

Lessno, as you’ll recall from a previous blog post, was frustrated with sites that offered a low “base” fare, only to have fees, taxes and surcharges tacked on to it. So it lobbied Meglena Kuneva, the European Union Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, to change its fare rules. And it did.

Today on its site, Lessno launched a campaign to persuade U.S. lawmakers to make similar changes. Here’s the text of the letter it wants you to sign.

We, the undersigned, urge members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives to immediately and without delay hold hearings on the practice of advertising misleading airfare prices by those in the travel industry.

- For too long, airlines, travel agents, and airfare resellers have been tricking American travelers into purchasing air tickets for a price that does not accurately reflect the true cost to the customer.

- For too long, airlines, travel agents, and airfare resellers have been arbitrarily creating extra fees including gas surcharges, security fees, ticket issuing fees, etc. that raise the cost of airfare dramatically over the advertised price.

- For too long, airlines, travel agents, and airfare resellers have gone without oversight from governmental authorities that has enabled them to abuse and mislead American travelers.

- For too long, airlines, travel agents, and airfare resellers have used their lobbyists and significant economic clout to keep legislators at bay and break truth in advertising laws at federal, state, and local levels.

We petition the government to stop these abuses and guarantee transparency in airfare.

We urge the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation; the Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs; the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation Operation; the House Committee on Transportation; the House Subcommittee on Aviation; the House Committee on Energy and Commerce; and the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection to all hold independent hearings into this dangerous and deceptive practice.

We ask that the government follows the lead of the European Commission, which requires that advertised airfare prices include all taxes and fees so that America consumers can make informed travel decisions.

I can’t think of a reason why every air traveler — scratch that, every traveler — shouldn’t sign this petition now.

Christopher Elliott is the author of Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals. Critics have called it “eye-opening” and “inspiring” — it’ll “grab your attention and won’t let go.” Order your copy now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or iTunes.

20 comments

  • Jasper

    Check. Done.

  • Beth

    I can think of a good reason not to sign. I’m not American.

    I would sign, if I could. I hope they’ll target Canada next.

  • Mindy

    I can think of a reason.. I’m tired of government interference in everything I do. I’m a smart enough cookie to find a good airfare. True, it can be a pain in the keyster, but I can book an airline ticket without the help of my congressional representatives.

  • Chicky

    I wouldn’t call this government interference in what we do. I’d call it the government insisting the airlines do what they’re supposed to do. The government isn’t telling us what we’re supposed to do. It’s making sure the airlines adhere to fair business practices. It’s actually very sad that the airlines cannot police themselves sufficiently to do this.

  • http://www.travelsavvymom.com jamie

    Oh, thank you. Signed and sent. This has bugged me for over half my life.

  • Carver Clark Farrow

    Count me as one of the travelers who WON”T be signing this petition. . Most US business quote a base price then add taxes on top of that base price. We, the American consumer are not confused by this practice. Why then do we turn stupid when an airline does the same thing.

    Is there really anyone left in America who doesn’t know that checked baggage may incur a fee? Or that some airlines include a fuel sucharge.

    Just make sure that the disclosure is made clear and obvious before the customer pays for the ticket and I am happy.

  • k hannigan

    For myself, airlines are lumped right up there with oil companies, drug companies et al…for wanting all their potential profits and highly salaried execs, but always looking for the way out of proividing true service to their customers. The airlines that persist in offering and delivering good service, which includes full disclosure in ticketing, will be the survivors.

  • Carrie C.

    I had no problem with signing and did.

  • Linda Frese

    I have no problem signing this letter. A few months ago, I purchased a ticket on Spirit Air. I knew they charged for checked luggage, and I knew they charged for everything on the plane,even water. But I didn’t know, until AFTER I paid for my ticket, that I would have to pay extra to reserve a seat. It turns out that that fee went into effect the day I purchased my ticket. It was still a very inexpensive ticket, but that’s beside the point. I should have been made aware of this charge before paying.

    The airlines are totally out of control. I don’t have high hopes that this will work, but you never know.

  • Patricia Young

    I too petition for airline price transparency.

  • Jasper

    @ Beth: Neither am I. But that’s not a reason to not make your opinion heard.

  • Beth

    @ Jasper … Lessno’s campaign is out. It’s only for Americans, unless we fake a US address.

    I agree we should make our opinions heard. It’s just that this campaign is pretty useless to us.

  • Hasina

    As a travel agent, I do not publish misleading fares to trick the public. We are treated with just as much, if not more, disdain by airlines as the average person booking their own travel. The airlines have systematically eliminated our commissions and in some cases have even declared that they want to cut us out of the entire process. We are just as captive to airfares a everyone else. Why would I sign this as one of the parties included when I am not receiving benefit?

  • Shirley Allen

    It just takes longer to get to the bottom line with AA and maybe other airlines too. Frustrating!!!

  • http://none SHIRLEY JOHNSON

    I’ve been buying all airline (knees-to-your-chin coach) tickets via the internet for 14 years. This time (Fall 2009), I have been quoted airfares that were over 3 times what I paid on average in the past. Finally after searching over 6 weeks, I found a fare similar to what I’ve paid in the past for the same travel itinerary. It’s becoming a part-time job to arrange travel prices.

    Is anyone checking on the prices of car rentals??? That’s been the most expensive in my travel plans. The best I could find for October coach R/T from RI to Tucson,AZ airfare is $308, though I got quotes as high as $1400. The cheapest car (an ecomony at that) for 33 days is $855. (I usuallly get a compact or midsize.)

  • Jon

    I am not interested in signing this. With “a la carte” pricing I am free to pay for what I want. I normally do not check luggage, so why should I want to pay for it?

    Finding out the “true” price (minus luggage fees, etc. – basically the total cost that every single passenger must pay – including taxes, fuel surcharges, etc.) of a flight is not difficult. Search on any search engine and you get the total price. Search on the airlines’ sites and you get the total price. Not exactly rocket science.

    Simply ignoring the airlines’ advertisements (which do not include taxes and fuel fees) is not difficult.

    I’d greatly prefer it if costs were broken down even further. I have no problem paying for blankets, pillows, snacks, or anything. If I’m willing to forgo these “luxuries”, then my flight is cheaper. If others want them, they have the choice to pay for them. Doesn’t this work out better for everyone?

    I’m sick of this sense of entitlement than everyone has – “oh, you used to give me dinner but now I have to pay $7 for it! you’re evil!” – give me a break. Times change.

    Now, when you want to promote laws that prohibit overbooking or prevent airlines from changing your itinerary after it has been booked – THAT I will be the first to sign up for.

  • Kurt Francis

    Chris — I went to the website but ended up not signing it. My full personal street address is required, and I just see no need for that, as though I am an American whose official residence is in Texas, where I own property — but not a house (for that I use a family member’s street address) — I live in Thailand. And I’m registered to vote, pay taxes, etc. And I wasn’t willing to use the comment box to explain all that.

    My concern is that my relative will start getting junk mail. I can see no valid reason to require a street address — in fact, even an e-mail one is a stretch. and to ask for a telephone number in this context is way over the top.

    All that said, I hope the petition succeeds.

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  • http://clubsolaris.com Alonso (from Los Cabos)

    This is very frustrating!!! Let’s sign this petition now!!!

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