This chart, which comes to us courtesy of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, is quite revealing. And at the same time, misleading.
FEES
The following exercise is highly unscientific, journalistically questionable, yet somewhat entertaining. In trying to determine which industry is socking to travelers with fees in the worst possible way, it’s down to two contenders: airlines and hotels.
The sooner, the better.
Here’s the final piece of the ancillary revenue puzzle. It’s an amorphous category known as miscellaneous operating revenues, and although we may not know that much about it, we do know there’s a lot of it being collected by airlines. Like, almost $3 billion worth of it last year. And probably about the same amount in 2010.
When should an airline or travel agent show the “all-in” price, particularly when it comes to fees that used to be part of the ticket? Take the weekend survey and tell me.
Thought those reservation change fees I showed you yesterday were shocking? Then check this out.
I don’t think I would have believed it unless I saw it for myself. I would have guessed that airlines or hotels would be the leading generators of surprise fees. But no — it’s car rental companies.
I usually leave the stories about site redesigns to my capable friends over at Tnooz, but during the last 24 hours I’ve caught wind of two airline site upgrades (at least that’s what they’re calling it) that could affect your next trip.
Fees on top of fees. It used to be the kind of hyperbole with which I spiced up my columns. But now, thanks to American Airlines, it’s real. The airline this morning introduced something called a Boarding and Flexibility Package that allows you to pay a fee and get priority boarding, offers a $75 discount [...]
Last week, we started dissecting the government’s plans to tighten the way in which airlines advertise their fares. But if you continue reading the proposed rulemaking, you’ll discover the Transportation Department wants to go further.
Like millions of other Americans, Yvonne Chan is planning a road trip this summer. She and a friend decided it might be a good idea to get a AAA membership — they’re both students — so they signed up through the organization’s site.
The estimate for a nine-day car rental in Panama was just $177, a bargain that Lawrence Lubertozzi couldn’t say “no” to. But maybe he should have: When Lubertozzi and his wife returned the vehicle to National Rent-A-Car in January, they were charged $376.
In part two of their interview with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Christopher Elliott and Charlie Leocha explore the new tarmac-delay restrictions for airlines and pending rules for the disclosure of surcharges, such as baggage fees, that have spread through the airline industry.
It’s no secret the airline industry wants you to pay extra for everything. And I really mean everything.
It used to be so simple: The price you were quoted for an airline ticket, rental car or cruise used to be the price you actually paid.
Elliott is consumer advocate 
I'm on Facebook: Please "like" 
WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM? If you're having trouble with a travel business - any business - and you've reached a dead end, maybe I can help. Send me an