Students traveling by plane can expect transparency after the U.S. federal government took steps on Tuesday to remove airlines’ hidden fees.
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced new airline regulations that require airlines and ticket agencies to include all fees and taxes in their published ticket prices, according to a DOT press release. The airlines will also be required to publish baggage fees. “The new passenger protections taking effect this week are a continuation of our effort to help air travelers receive the respect they deserve,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in the press release.
Before these regulations, airlines could chose to leave particular sections of fees, such as taxes, out of their advertised fares and disclose them separately.
“Airline passengers have rights, and they should be able to expect fair and reasonable treatment when booking a trip and when they fly,” LaHood said.
Airline customers will also have the right to hold a reservation without making a payment and will be able to cancel reservations without penalty within 24 hours of making the reservation.
Some airlines have objected to the new regulations now that their displayed prices will grow. On the other hand, many Boston University students said they are looking favorably upon the new laws.
“I think that these changes are a step in the right direction,” said Boston U. sophomore Jacob Davidson. “So many services and retailers, especially ones that are Internet-based, make you think that what you’re buying is reasonably priced.”
He said consumers, fooled by the airlines’ advertised prices, are often surprised by the prices they actually paid.
“By the time you’re ready to checkout, you notice that the initial price has increased by a very noticeable percentage,” he said. “Ticket sales are the worst. Whether they’re for a flight, or even something like a live concert, you always get slammed.”
He said the new regulations could establish greater trust between airlines and customers.
“Providing consumers with accurate prices from the get-go makes things significantly more fair,” Davidson said. “You’ll know from the start how much of a hit you’re going to be taking and that’s important in my book. I hope more businesses follow suit.”