When two major companies decide to get along, it’s not quite so simple as exchanging friendship bracelets — each side usually sees some benefit. For example, airlines United and Delta want to get friendly, so they’ve agreed to swap slots at two New York City-area airports. One hitch, however, is that the United States Department of Justice isn’t a fan of the plan. [More]
airfares
Congress Hates You, Votes To Bring Back Glory Days Of Opaque Airfare Pricing
By 7.28.14
Remember the good ol’ days of 2011, when you would see an airline advertising $99 tickets to somewhere nice, only to later find out that the actual airfare was much higher? For some reason that has absolutely nothing to do with huge amounts of donation money from the travel industry, the House of Representatives has decided that consumers should no longer have access to transparent airfares. [More]
Congress Wants To Restore Glory Days Of Misleading Airfares And Hidden Fees
By 4.28.14
Remember what it was like to book air travel way back in ye olden days of three years ago? You’d spot a really excellent online deal on a flight, only to discover at checkout that after the taxes and fees, it was $50 higher than you’d thought. The Dept. of Transportation changed all that in 2012 — but now, a bill rapidly moving through Congress could reverse that change entirely. [More]
Six Tips For Saving Money On Airfare
By 1.11.12
With fees, fine print and blackout dates, locking in a low price on your plane ticket can seem impossible. Consumer Reports has some tips that can help cut the cost of flying, plus help organize your search for the best deal. [More]
New Airfare Rule Means The Price Advertised Is The Price You'll Pay
By 12.30.11
What can seem like a reasonably priced fare can blow up in your face with government fees and taxes by the time you’re done clicking through the various windows in online booking. But that will be no more — the Department of Transportation has a new rule going into effect next month requiring advertised fares to be the full price customers pay. [More]
Spirit Airlines Fined $50K For Misleading Tweets
By 11.21.11
The Dept. of Transportation rules about airfare transparency don’t just apply to carriers’ websites and ads, but also to their Twitter feed. Just ask Spirit Airlines, which was slapped with a $50,000 fine for Tweets touting its $9 airfares. [More]
Orbitz Hit With $60K Fine For Failing To Disclose Taxes & Fees On Airfares
By 10.17.11
Orbitz has been slapped with a $60,000 fine by the Dept. of Transportation because the travel site violated federal laws that require clear disclosure of taxes and fees associated with airfares. [More]
Airfare From Atlanta To Vegas Is … Sorry, Too Late
By 5.18.10
How much will it cost you to fly from Atlanta to Las Vegas? Don’t bother checking; by the time you do, the price will have already changed. According to a new study from Yapta, the fare for flights between those two cities has changed 2,472,916 times so far this year, or once every six seconds. Better practice hitting that refresh button if you want to get a deal. [More]
Use Codeshares To Find Cheap Summer Flights Abroad
By 5.16.09
Before locking in your summer fare to Europe, see if you can’t find a better deal by searching an airline’s codeshare partners. Airlines use codeshares to sell seats on each other’s planes so they can reach destinations they wouldn’t otherwise serve. Since ticket prices constantly fluctuate, codeshare partners often quote different fares for the exact same flight. Inside, reader Christiana shares how she used codeshares to save almost $300 on a flight to England…
The Staycation Is Soooo 2008
By 5.13.09
Roll on, Summer of 09! Staying at home is sooo last year. According to a recent travel survey, America is on the move again! 95% of respondents said they are planning to get away this summer. No more navel gazing and lawn mowing. It’s on to brighter things such as cruises, the Caribbean, and even Europe. Plus, with “historically low airfares” and gas prices down a buck fifty per gallon from a year ago, you can even visit *gasp* other parts of America!
Airfares Sinking Due To Lack Of Demand
By 11.26.08
The crappy economy is taking its toll on airfares. Demand is sinking taking airfares with it, says USAToday.
Retributive Airlines "Tweak" Each Other, Offer Great Fares To Consumers
By 8.12.07
Rick Seaney has a great post about the “tweak,” a move used by airlines to piss off competitors by offering discount airfares from their rival’s hubs. The spurned airline will often retaliate by tweaking the offender back in return. Rick Seany explains:
Airlines Cut Fares Through Dec 12
By 11.14.06
According to the LA Times, “Led by Delta Air Lines Inc., most major carriers cut leisure fares through Dec. 12, although the deals don’t apply to the busiest days around Thanksgiving and may sell out quickly.
Holiday Airfare Tips
By 11.2.06
Let’s face it. You miss your mom. Today would be an excellent day to book your holiday travel arrangements. Northwest airlines has just announced some big discounts following their 1.2bn losses in the 3rd quarter. Yay!
Hooray for the Plane Ticket Status Quo
By 9.21.06
Airfares aren’t exactly transparent. You’ll see an advertised fare, and then the taxes and fees get added in, and your fare has gone up by twenty to forty dollars, or more if you’re traveling abroad. It feels dirty, like dealing with a car dealership that keeps tallying extra expenses. Consider charges like the TSA security fee the aviation equivalent of floor mats and rustproofing.
