Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisH
Jim,
That is exactly why I said that the airlines should go about it different, and spell out to the customer what surcharges will be charged. They don't do this. I agree that it is an attempt to post a fare, and hide the surcharge, until the last second, when most people have already hit "purchase". With that said, I don't disagree with charging a fuel surcharge, just the way it is done.
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Actually the DOT requires that the fuel surcharge be disclosed at first point of contact, meaning, it's included in the fare, the only taxes and fees that are not added into the airlines base fare domestically are your september 11th security fee,2.50 per segment up to 4 segments (this goes to the tsa) your segment tax which is usually 4.50 per segment your'e flying,(this goes again to the us government) your passenger facility charges again usually 4.50 per segment up to 4 segments,(this goes to the airports you depart from) and your 7.5% U.S. excise tax. (the airlines don't get any of this money they are the taxes you have to pay to your government) so when you really think about it, the airlines aren't "hiding" the fuel surcharge they're adding it into the base fare. so call it a surcharge call it a fare increase, it all ends up being the same thing in the end.