Consumerist
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travel
More Airlines Add $10 Travel Surcharge To More Holidays
Since consumers didn't whine too much about the addition of $10 "just because" fees airlines imposed on busy travel days, they've added fees on more days. Goody for us! More » -
xcel energy
Got Solar Panels? Utility Wants To Charge You For Not Using Their Energy
Midwest utility Xcel Energy wants to charge anyone using solar panels a monthly fee for sustainably generating their own energy. According to company spokesman Tom Henley, "We just don't think it's fair that customers that don't have solar panels on their homes should subsidize these solar panel customers any further." Huh? More » -
fees
Have Airlines Run Out Of Annoying Fees?
So, it's not exactly good news, but between the toilet tax and priority boarding fees, Reuters thinks that airlines may have run out of "perks" worth excluding from a ticket's base price. The bad news? All those new airline fees aren't going anywhere. American Airlines, which last year pocketed an extra billion in "ancillary revenue," calls them "a pretty big success story." More » -
jetblue
Jetblue Changes Policy, Will Stop Charging $50 If You Check A Box With A Foldable Bike
Jetblue charged Carl $50 to check a small box. If Carl hadn't mentioned that there was a small foldable bike in the box, his package would have been checked for free... More » -
royal caribbean
Royal Caribbean To Levy Late-Night Room Service Charge
Royal Caribbean's odd "steak fee" proved to be such a success that the bleed-'em-dry cruise line has decided to add yet another extraneous charge to their "all-inclusive" service: a late night room service fee! Gone are the days of waking up from a seasick-induced nightmare at 3 a.m. to the comforting thought of, "well at least I can order a cheeseburger." Now, seasickness cures ordered between midnight and 5 a.m. cost $3.95. More » -
exxonmobil
ExxonMobil Gift Card Results In Higher Prices At Pump
ExxonMobil says their gift cards are "better than cash." They also say, "This cash card is not a credit card." But Rob in NY was hit with a credit card surcharge when he used his. More » -
united
United Adds $800 In Fees To $560 Trip, Loses Customer For Life
We have a feeling this is going to happen with increasing frequency as airlines continue to bleed once-loyal customers for extra revenue: Greg Dean, the cartoonist behind Real Life Comics, has had enough of United gouging him. First it was the second checked bag fee, then the first checked bag fee. Then they doubled the pet-in-cabin fee to $175 each way, which works out to more than the cost of a human round-trip ticket.
And let's not forget the exorbitant booking fee for using miles for one of our tickets. The actual FLIGHT was only $280 round trip per ticket, but with the booking fee TO USE THE MILES TO PURCHASE A TICKET, we wound up paying over $500.
When Dean tried to convert the two tickets into travel vouchers, the airline charged him another $300. And that, readers, is when the airline killed off one of their better customer relationships. More »
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polls
How Would You Like Your Inflation Served?
The Mexican restaurant chain Chachos is now charging a 7.5% inflation surcharge on all meals with cheese. Skyrocketing commodity prices present restaurants with a menu of unappetizing choices: raise prices, levy surcharges, reduce portions? How would you like your inflation served? Vote in our poll, after the jump.
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gas
Is This $0.10 Credit/Debit Surcharge On Gasoline Allowed?
Reader Brian wants to know how to tell a "surcharge" applied to a credit/debt card transaction vs a convenience charge? More » -
airlines
Department Of Transportation Says Airlines Can't Charge Extra Baggage Fees After Ticket Purchase
The Secretary of Transportation announced earlier this month that airlines shouldn't surprise consumers with extra baggage fees after they've already purchased a ticket:
More »Passengers should know what to expect, and what to pay, before they buy a ticket or pack their bags, which is why we are calling for carriers and travel agents to disclose baggage fees in their internet and print ads before anyone purchases a ticket. We also are making it clear that airlines may not impose increased fees or new restrictions for baggage after a passenger has bought a ticket.
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buddy passes
Why Airline Buddy Passes Suck
This week, travel guy Christopher Elliott talks about the growing worthlessness of buddy passes—the travel vouchers airline employees get for family members, or unhappy customers sometimes get as a peace offering. For examples, "on American Airlines, it’s often less expensive to buy an advance-purchase ticket than to use a buddy pass, once you factor in all taxes and fees." And Continental will add a $100 to $400 surcharge per buddy pass starting this Monday, rendering the "perk" of a buddy pass entirely moot. More » -
surcharges
Budget's Free Frequent Flyer Miles Promos Will Cost You
Michael writes, " I was just reserving a budget rental car, and for some reason decided to actually read some of the fine print." Buried in the text was something called an "FTP Surcharge," which basically amounts to a participation fee for any frequent flyer promotion they offer their customers. More » -
Airlines continue to hesitantly flirt with hefty fuel surcharges. Delta, Northwest, and Continental imposed a $20-$40 surcharge over the weekend after previous efforts by United, US Airways, and American failed to stick. Sidestep their pricey dance by purchasing airline tickets between Tuesday afternoon and Thursday evening. [Rick Seaney]
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gouging
Dollar Rent A Car Charges $2.00 "Top Off Fee," Even If You Return With A Full Tank Of Gas
No longer content gouging customers who return their rentals with less than a full tank of gas, Dollar Rent A Car is now assessing a $2.00 "top off fee" for cars that have already been topped off. More » -
class actions
Virgin Atlantic, British Airways Admit To Collusion, Prepare To Issue Vouchers
Virgin Atlantic and British Airways admitted last week to the Department of Justice that they colluded to levy excess fuel surcharges ranging from $10 to $100. Despite the admission, both airlines claim that passengers weren't really overcharged. More » -
you can run but you can't hide
Bank of America To Raise ATM Surcharge to $3
US PIRG says they've obtained legitimate documentation that says Bank of America will be raising their ATM surcharges for non-customers to $3 at most locations. The change will take place on July 31st. More »
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1-18 of 18 for "surcharges"
