That'll Be Extra
Fees, fees and more fees--don't pay what you don't have to.
To attract more customers, travel companies have aggressively
cut their rates. But what's not included in those prices?
You'd be surprised. , a hospitality industry analyst for PKF Consulting in
Atlanta, says companies used to think of extra fees as "found
money," and were willing to waive them. "Now they're
counting on them." Here's what you can expect—and
avoid: - Airlines: Security fees and fuel surcharges are
nonnegotiable. But carriers are also clamping down on that kindly
ticket agent who looks the other way when you incur a $100 fee for
a ticket change.
How to steer clear: Flaunt your frequent-flier status. Airline
employees would sooner work the red-eye than lose you as a
customer. - Hotels: Properties are hitting you hard with surcharges
on everything from energy costs to amorphous "resort"
fees. One of the most lucrative fees, says Mandelbaum, is the
overpriced hotel phone, which can account for 2 percent of hotel
revenues.
- How to steer clear: Ask before you use anything, and
don't be afraid to dispute a charge on your credit card. Faced
with a protracted battle with your bank, a hotel manager will often
cave in.
- Rental cars: Car rental companies now impose a fee to
offset the cost of parking tickets and tags. Nebulous "airport
fees" cover a multitude of expenses, including use of the bus
or monorail.
- How to steer clear: Keep a printout of your price quote.
If you can prove the company didn't disclose the fee, it should
waive it.
Christopher Elliott is a writer and commentator and the
editor of www.elliott.org. Content Continues Below
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