Airline fees are here to stay. But since airlines cannot resist tinkering with any revenue source, a new development seems to be creating different pricing levels for the same fee. We are starting see advertised fee sales from some of the airlines.
The most standard fee “sale” is simply for passengers paying online. Many airlines will discount baggage fees for example, when prepaid at time of online check-in. (Of course, those fees are nonrefundable, so there is no way of knowing exactly how many people pay them, then cancel or change the trip, and lose the entire fee over saving $5.)
In addition, elite members of an airline frequent flier program often get discounts on things like airline lounge memberships.
But since airlines love sales as much as they love new fees and price hikes, it was only a matter of time before they started fee sales. And here’s one.
United Airlines sells access to Economy Plus seats for a year for a $425.00 “subscription” fee. (It can also be purchased with other perks.) But in their inflight magazine, Hemispheres, the airline is offering a $50 discount.
To take advantage of the sale, travelers must go to united.com/epaspecial by March 1, 2010, and use promo code “legroom.”
Other airlines may well be doing “fee sales” as well. And no doubt these options will grow. If Consumer Traveler readers know of any other fee sales that are available to the general public, please consider adding them in the comments.
Janice Hough is a California-based travel agent a travel blogger and a part-time comedy writer. A frequent flier herself, she’s been doing battle with airlines, hotels, and other travel companies for over three decades. Besides writing for Travelers United, Janice has a humor blog at Leftcoastsportsbabe.com (Warning, the political and sports humor therein does not represent the views of anyone but herself.)
