I would agree with you. I have traveled quit frequently and have noticed the prices are pretty much the same. But, being a member of the travel industry, specificly, being employed by the airlines for many years, I do know they watch the competition closely and they will match prices whenever they can, to a limit.
What really bothers me about the price of travel is the airlines increase the fares dramaticly during the holidays. The same ticket I purchased last week for the same route is triple or more during the holiday seasons. The fees they charge for misc services is getting to the point of being outrageous. One airline will not allow you to pick your seats when you make the reservation and when you are within 24 hours of departure and can check in, they have assigned a seat for you, most likely the middle seat. If you attempt to change it, the only option is an "upgrade" to a more roomier seat, but with fees. Another airline says the flights are booked and the only flights available have a lengthy in-between flight delay, in this case, 10 hours. The reservation as discounted, somewhat. But when checking online for full fare flights, I find there are plenty of seats on the earlier flights. When I question the airlines, I'm told I can change my reservation but there is a change fee of $150 plus the price difference of the ticket at the non-discounted last minute fare. My ticket would have cost me triple what I originally paid for it. And then there are approx 25% in fees and taxes added on.
The airlines have become very user unfriendly and I'm considering Greyhound from now on....just have to plan on the extra time.....
|