the fact that you're used to buying tickets in a corporate setting while most people don't.
When I need to fly somewhere, it's usually for personal reasons.
I go to Travelocity (or wherever), enter the # of seats I want, the dates, then go searching. I get a list of flights and ticket prices. Prices vary by factors of 2 or 3 or more for no apparent reason, making one very suspicious that one is being ripped off. On Travelocity, it says "total per person" under the fare. If I select the outbound flight, I see in small print "additional baggage fees may apply". The page changes. I select the return flight. The page changes. I decline the invitation to search for a hotel. The page changes. I continue, declining the stupid travel insurance popup. The page changes. I notice the fine print that the fare isn't guaranteed until it is booked. At that point, I get invited to enter my payment information.
Down at the bottom I see a small link about taxes and fees. It says things like:
"The prices displayed for air fare on our site are inclusive of all taxes, governmental fees, and other mandatory charges. However, remember that you may incur other flight-related charges that are not payable to us and are not included in the quoted price, such as airline baggage fees and other charges for optional airline services." and information about variable charges for changing a reservation.
What are those fees and charges? Dunno. They don't tell me in some obvious way.
While this is fairly good disclosure, it's not until you are inputting your credit card information that you see the "Adult fare rules" linky with each flight that says things like:
"SURCHARGES
IF INFANT WITHOUT A SEAT PSGR UNDER 2. THERE IS NO FUEL SURCHARGE PER FARE COMPONENT FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 16FEB12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF 10 PERCENT OF THE FARE PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 17FEB12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 01MAR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 02MAR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 08MAR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 27.91 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON FRI/SUN ON 09MAR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 18.60 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 10MAR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 27.91 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 11MAR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 12MAR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 15MAR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 27.91 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 16MAR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 18.60 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 17MAR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 37.21 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 18MAR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 19MAR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 18.60 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 22MAR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 27.91 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 23MAR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 18.60 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 24MAR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 27.91 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 25MAR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 26MAR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 18.60 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 29MAR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 37.21 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 30MAR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 18.60 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 31MAR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 27.91 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 01APR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 18.60 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 02APR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 18.60 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 05APR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 06APR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF 20 PERCENT OF THE FARE PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 09APR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 18.60 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 12APR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 27.91 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 13APR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 18.60 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 14APR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 27.91 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 15APR12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 10MAY12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 11MAY12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 14MAY12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 17MAY12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 18MAY12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 20MAY12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL SURCHARGE IS ASSESSED ON A FARE COMPONENT BASIS. AND - MISCELLANEOUS/OTHER SURCHARGE OF USD 9.30 PER FARE COMPONENT WILL BE ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE ON 21MAY12 FOR DEPARTURE OF EACH TRIP. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. THIS PEAK TRAVEL [...]"
which, if you're like me, you'll find impossible to read.
This is not transparent. If you don't like the terms or the additional charges that they do disclose, you have to start over picking a new flight.
It's not impossible for the airlines to make it clear to people who are choosing among different options what the cost of the flight is and what additional charges they may have to pay when they're choosing their flights. Demanding such disclosures isn't some "OMG! SEEKRIT TAXES!!!11" plot.
My $0.02.
Cheers,
Scott.