The truth about “transparent” airfares

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By Christopher Elliott

The Transparent Airfares Act of 2014, which only a few weeks ago had virtually no chance of passing, now seems poised to become law.

Remarkably, the proposed legislation enjoys bipartisan support, even from Democrats with distinguished records of supporting consumer rights. Critics have watched in amazement as this deceptively named bill has taxied toward the runway, apparently unstoppable.

Now is the time to pause and contemplate how “transparent” prices might impact other federally regulated aspects of the travel industry.

Proposed Transparent Airfares Act sparks controversy

The Transparent Airfares Act would effectively nullify a Department of Transportation regulation known as the full-fare advertising rule. It is a regulation that consumer groups and airline passengers support and that the courts have upheld. That rule requires airlines to quote a price that includes all mandatory taxes and fees.

Airline representatives say that the full-fare rule allows the government to bury tax spikes in a ticket price. Consumer advocates insist that the Transparent Airfares Act would allow airlines to quote a deceptively low airfare.

Once the bill passes, airlines will have the ability to advertise an initial price that’s between 15 and 20 percent lower than the price you’ll pay. Only at the end of the booking process, when you’re ready to pay, will the full price, including taxes, be revealed. Privately, airlines have been pitching this to Congress as an economic stimulus, arguing that passengers are likelier to book fares they believe to be cheaper, say critics.

Eventually, the so-called “ultra” low-cost airlines such as Allegiant and Spirit, which publish fares as low as $1, could become the norm, says Charlie Leocha. He is the director of Travelers United, a nonprofit advocacy group. (I’m the co-founder of Travelers United and serve as its volunteer ombudsman.)

Potential impact of Transparent Airfares Act

“When mandatory taxes and fees — TSA security fees, airport facility charges, and other fees — inflate these fares, the final price can skyrocket by more than 100 percent,” says Leocha. “It’s flat-out misleading and deceptive. It’s legalized bait-and-switch advertising.”

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At some point, the price of a fare could drop to even zero, experts fear. Airlines airlines will be making their profits on mandatory and optional fees, such as checked-luggage charges, seat-reservation fees and meals. Under that scenario, it would be nearly impossible to know how much a flight would cost. One one thing would be certain: It wouldn’t be “free.”

Once airlines have had their way, other industries regulated at the federal level might be likely to line up for a “transparent” price bill, starting with oil companies. “Imagine if gas stations were to start advertising just the base cost of the gas on their signs, and only after you’d filled your tank you discovered the total cost,” says Paul Hudson. He is the president of FlyersRights.org.

On average, taxes add about 50 cents to the cost of a gallon of gasoline. So under a so-called “transparent” price scenario, a station charging $3.50 per gallon of gas could prominently advertise its price as $3, even if your total cost is $3.50.

FTC’s concerns over “drip” pricing

The Federal Trade Commission refers to this kind of advertising as “drip” pricing. It’s so concerned about it that it held a conference recently to discuss the problem. The agency appears to have taken the common-sense position that a company ought to quote a price that a customer can actually pay. As opposed to a pre-tax rate that looks significantly cheaper than it is. Already, the agency has sent warning letters to several hotels suggesting that they might be violating federal law with their price postings.

“Consumers are entitled to know the true cost of their hotel stay,” says Mary Engle. She is the associate director of the FTC’s Division of Advertising Practices. Mary notes that the agency continues to work to improve price disclosure. The FTC does not regulate airline pricing.

To get an idea of “transparent” prices in travel and airfares, look no further than car rental agencies, which routinely quote an initial rate that doesn’t include the often sizable taxes and fees.

A recent one-day rental from Avis.com at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, for example, offered a “base” rate of $157. But the next screen revealed other mandatory fees, including a “concession recovery fee” of $18, a “transportation” fee of $2 and a “vehicle license fee” of $2. All of this before taxes of $27. Total cost: $210 per day.

Push for ‘artificially low’ pricing

Travelers routinely complain about the car rental industry’s pricing practices. The practices make the cost of a rental car look lower than it actually is. (Here’s how to use your airline flight credit.)

Hotels practice “transparent” pricing, too. Go to Marriott.com and ask for a room rate at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa in Honolulu. It will claim there’s a rate of $209. There isn’t. The second screen displays a warning about an additional mandatory $30 resort fee. The third screen shows that the actual rate, once taxes are added, amounts to $272.

Airlines believe they should have the same rights to quote an artificially low price and that federal law should enshrine this. Problem is, consumers want the exact opposite. They want to know precisely how much the product will cost, whether they’re booking a rental car, a hotel room or an airline ticket. Consumers have reacted to this bill in the same way their advocates have: They’re dead-set against it.

Wouldn’t it be something if the legislators supporting price transparency actually did something that made prices more transparent, and passed a bill that required all prices — not just airfares — to include mandatory taxes and fees? (Airfares are evolving, with airlines often removing basic services like checked luggage, meals, reservations, and even carry-on bags from today’s tickets.)

Then again, wouldn’t it be nice if our elected representatives actually represented our interests? Instead of the special interests supporting this wrongheaded bill?

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Christopher Elliott

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can't. He's the author of numerous books on consumer advocacy and writes three nationally syndicated columns. He also publishes the Elliott Report, a news site for consumers, and Elliott Confidential, a critically acclaimed newsletter about customer service. If you have a consumer problem you can't solve, contact him directly through his advocacy website. You can also follow him on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or sign up for his daily newsletter.

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