New DOT rules regarding airfares

[thepiranha]

If they ban nuts from all flights, I'll never get to fly anywhere.

[[email protected]]

I think I just read this morning that the new rules go into effect the end of January

[LL_Travelfan]

Apart from the VAT(value added tax) in Europe, in German Hotels they charge you a 1.50 to 3.00 Euro Kurtax per person per day. The Kurtax supposedly benefits the community to maintain community parks, museums, etc. It is always payable to the hotel and never included in the hotel price.

[kyshel]

Apart from the VAT(value added tax) in Europe, in German Hotels they charge you a 1.50 to 3.00 Euro Kurtax per person per day. The Kurtax supposedly benefits the community to maintain community parks, museums, etc. It is always payable to the hotel and never included in the hotel price.

They just started with the equivalent in Italy. We noticed it this summer. I'm sure it's just like the different taxes levied by local hotels--like NY has had occupancy tax for years--based on the # of beds/room. Not sure what it's like now? Hungary has one, too. Fascinating.

[Mountie]

Back to the topic of this thread, I have more government rules, but I do like the idea of being able to judge and compare airfares on an apples to apples basis rather than jumping through hoops to figure out additional fees, etc.

As for peanuts, I can figure that out by myself.

[LL_Travelfan]

Well, with a little help from these new DOT regulations, maybe we will be able to compare apples with apples at the end.

[jmbklj]

Spirit is making an effort to turn fliers against the new airfare fee disclosure rules. They're publicly lashing out. Visit their website and you'll get a big "warning" notice, alerting customers to the rules that are "not consumer friendly or in their best interests". Spirit argues that if the government can hide taxes in airfares, then they can quietly increase the taxes in the future. Another part of the argument is that taxes are not included in the price of any other goods that consumers purchase, so it should not be included in airfares.

Spirit has gone so far as to create a website urging consumers to contact their representatives.

Spirit Airlines

Two other airlines have objected too but in a more quiet, less showy way. Southwest Airlines and Allegiant are asking the Court of Appeals to void the regulation.

Spirit is “raising an important point” by calling attention to impact of taxes and other U.S.-mandated fees on the cost of air transportation, said Steve Lott, a spokesman for Airlines for America, a Washington-based trade association. Airline tickets are subject to as many as 17 taxes and fees, in addition to discretionary charges such as those for checked bags, Lott said. In some cases, such charges for domestic travel can exceed 20 percent of the cost of the ticket, he said. "We're on par with sin taxes," Lott said in a telephone interview.

This rule has no connection with the government's ability to increase fees, as Spirit argued. Some government leaders have proposed a new $100 per flight surcharge on commercial airliners and an initial increase to $5 from $2.50 of the passenger security fee to partially fund FAA and the TSA. Naturally, Spirit – and every other airline – is against this idea.

I think it's pretty ironic - all this fuss from an airline who was the worst offender, known for its attention-grabbing fare ads like these. The fares hawked by the Spirit pole dancers must now include all taxes and fees. What a shame.

Hey Spirit: Stop Whining | NYCAviation

[Mountie]

I've got a 'love/hate' feeling for Spirit Airlines. I have to respect a dumpy little charter company that has managed to hook and crook its way into a fairly large sized airlines in just over 20 years. They are operating more than 30 fairly new airplanes and hauling people to and from a lot of destinations other carrier don't serve or don't serve well. I love them for that.

I have always hated their bait and switch approach to fares and fees. The company is heartless and have proven they will stoop to whatever level is necessary to fool passengers and fill up their planes.

Now I have to laugh at their warning on their home page about what this DOT ruling has done to the consumer.

Spirit is a private company and they had a good thing going; well at least good for them and their bottom line. Hey they tested ideas and fees and managed to make a lot of them stick and the big guys have followed.

I've only flown Spirit twice, so I'm by no means an expert.

I guess I would fly them again, if they provided service to a destination I wanted to visit and I couldn't find a better alternative.

[omegaet]

Yep, we feel Ryanair and Spirit were joined at the hips at conception. We hate flying both of them.

However, mountie, we use Spirit more often than not to gain access to Central America out of Fort Lauderdale.

Good schedules, but same old Spirit approach to 'fee strangulation' without remorse.

The DOT can do whatever they want, but Spirit will always find a way to wring out a few more dollars from their passengers!

LOVE/HATE but fly Spirit!

[[email protected]]

I have never flown on Spirit but it does not sound like an airline I would fly unless absolutely necessary.
Unfortunately in response to earlier replies - there are some really stupid and naive folks out there who really do believe they will get the $9 fare and then when they see the results at the end feel they were duped and then try to sue. Just read some Yahoo news articles and then read the comments folks post at the end of the article to see how insane folks in the USA really are!