Should airlines disclose fees before you buy your ticket? Survey says …


Yes. Heck, yeah.

Only 6 people out of the initial 812 respondents — just 0.7 percent — said “no.”

These preliminary results are, of course, no surprise whatsoever. I mean, why wouldn’t a business disclose the full price of an item before you buy?

The purpose of this poll is to measure the pain of airline fees, and there’s still time to take part. I’ve embedded the full survey, which is being conducted in cooperation with the Consumer Travel Alliance, below.

You can also follow a link to it here.

It begs a follow-up question or two: At what point in the ticket buying process should the fees be disclosed? At the time of the purchase? When you’re shopping? When you get the initial fare quote?

The comments are open.

Meantime, here’s the survey.

  • MCGJr.

    While I assume it’s true that a lot of people must have been surprised by some of the fees, because I purchase all of my tickets directly on the Delta.Com site, I can’t say that I’ve ever experienced an unexpected fee. Maybe that’s a good reason to avoid some of the so-called discount sites that turn out to be not such a good deal after all.

  • Sara

    The thing about “Change itinerary fees/cancellation fees” – I don’t mind them, I fully understand having them… but not at such outrageously steep prices as I seem to often read about here. $200-$250 to change your flight? Or cancel a ticket that cost less than that?? Outrageous and crazy.
    Personally, I could see change / cancellation fees perhaps 10% up to $50, minimum $15; or if more than one ticket 10% of the full itinerary up to $100, minimum $30, or something to that effect.

    I often wonder how popular an airline would be and how it would do, if such a one would go back to the service offered pre-9/11 (where at least I noticed a bigger change due to worsened economy for the airline industry) – service and meals on board, no baggage fees or other silly fees like that. Throw in proper pay for flight staff (i.e. not just miles flown (which I assume it is?), but also a set pay for time on the ground for example), good benefits, bonuses and such; to ensure a happy staff for a happier flying experience for everyone.
    I’d happily pay a little higher ticket price if I knew(!) the airline I picked provided everything needed, over another one that’s ‘nickel & diming’ (and not even telling you up front!).

    Do you have any kind of lists of different airlines and what they provide on a regular ticket (general domestic & general international flights), and what some of the top international airlines provide as comparison? For example Lufthansa vs. United?

  • Diana B

    May we assume that the 0.7% who said airlines should not have to disclose fees before you buy your ticket are airline company executives?

  • David Z

    Do you have any kind of lists of different airlines and what they provide on a regular ticket (general domestic & general international flights), and what some of the top international airlines provide as comparison? For example Lufthansa vs. United?

    Try this, Sara:

    http://www.kayak.com/airline-fees

    May we assume that the 0.7% who said airlines should not have to disclose fees before you buy your ticket are airline company executives?

    Yes you may. I was one of those who said no, though, and I somewhat wish I’m an airline executive.

    Then again, I said no is because the question simply needed to be rephrased. Airlines only control their own sites and not third party ones. :)