Airlines nickel-and-dime passengers
Last week we listed our top five pet peeves when it comes to hidden airline fees. This week we'll take a look at the other five hidden fees that annoy us.
1. Getting a refund when a fare goes down
Fee: $25 to $200 or more
If you bought a TV from Costco or BestBuy and it lowered the price the following week, chances are you could get a refund no questions asked. Even Apple gave credits when it dropped the price of its iPhone soon after launching it. But most airlines either will refund nothing (British Airways and most other international carriers) or they'll charge an "administrative fee" of up to $100 on a domestic ticket, and even more on an international one. What justifies this? Does it actually cost them $100 to spend a few minutes to rewrite your electronic ticket? I doubt it.
2. Flying standby on the same day of travel
Fee: $0-$50
This used to be free, but now, most airlines charge to take an earlier or later flight on the same day as your original flight.
Only AirTran, among the larger airlines, charges no fee if you show up at the airport before your original departure and wish to take an earlier flight or ask to change to a later departure. American, Continental, JetBlue, Northwest and US Air charge $25; Delta (always the fee leader) and United sock you for $50. Southwest is a different animal altogether; there's no fee to go standby as such, but you'll have to pay the "walk up" last-minute fare, which could be hundreds more than your original discount fare.
3. Paying for lap children
Fee: $10 to 10 percent of the adult fare (international flights)
What on earth is the meaning of this? Your kid isn't taking up a seat, and certainly isn't partaking of the free food and booze (if any). Is the little tyke responsible for consuming extra jet fuel? On a fare of, say, $1,200, you'll be billed $120 or more for the privilege of holding the child in your lap for 10 hours (on a business-class fare of, say, $5,000 you'll pay $500). Domestically, SkyBus, never to miss the chance to line its pockets, charges a $10 "administrative fee" for lap children. Is that to compensate for the oxygen your infant will be breathing during the flight (there is no charge if you stuff the little tyke in the overhead, however … just kidding).
4. Getting a seat assignment
Fee: $5-$11 each way
Air Canada, AirTran and Allegiant are some of the carriers that now charge for this "perk." AirTran charges $5 if you're on a discounted coach ticket; Allegiant charges $11. AirTran charges $15 if you want to grab an exit-row seat. Northwest recently increased this fee from $15 to $20.
5. Using the lavatory
Fee: $0
OK, airlines are not installing pay toilets -- yet. But the way things are going …
So there you have it. If there are other annoying airline practices, feel free to contact us.
United reduces miles for award tickets
United Airlines is offering reduced awards on some nonstop United, United Express and Ted flights that are 700 air miles or less, each way.
Instead of the usual 25,000 for a ticket, this promotion only requires 15,000 miles. The award ticket is based on availability and must be ticketed by Dec. 12, for travel through Dec. 14.
Among the cities that qualify for this promotion from O'Hare are Knoxville, Ottawa, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Toronto and Washington, D.C. For complete rules and restrictions, visit www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,51824,00.html.
Attend New England Christmas festival
Now in its 21st year, the annual Christmas Crafts Festival kicks off the holidays with a bang. The festival will be held at Boston's Seaport World Trade Center Nov. 2-4 and will feature the work of more than 350 American master craftsmen.
It is a one-stop-shopping location for gifts, fashions, jewelry, gourmet treats, holiday decor and more. Festival-goers will be able to meet the artisans, discuss their work and commission custom pieces.
A popular highlight is the Gingerbread House Competition, where chefs from area restaurants, bakeries and culinary schools create gingerbread houses to be judged by a celebrity panel and sold. All proceeds benefit Rosie's Place, dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment for poor and homeless women.
Tickets are $12 for adults and free for children younger than 14. For more information, call (617) 385-5000 or visit www.ChristmasCraftFestival.com to print a discount coupon.
Fairmont D.C. offers packages
The Fairmont Washington, D.C., is offering two packages this winter for visitors to the nation's capital.
The first is the Holiday Shopping Package, available through Jan. 1, that starts at $209 per night and includes a full breakfast at Juniper, the hotel's restaurant. Upon check-in, guests will receive a Fairmont Shopping Card that offers shopping incentives and discounts at specialty shops, restaurants and a Swedish Spa.
The second is the Impressionists by the Sea and at a Table package, available through Jan. 13. Starting at $299 per night, it includes a seafood dinner for two in Juniper and two audio-guided tours of the "Impressionists by the Sea" exhibit at The Phillips Collection.
This collection comes direct from London's Royal Academy and includes works by Monet, Manet and Renoir. The Phillips Collection is a short walk from the hotel and houses nearly 2,500 works by American and European impressionist and modern artists. More information about the exhibition and The Phillips Collection is available at www.phillipscollection.org.
Located at 2401 M St., NW, the 415-room Fairmont Washington, D.C., is a short walk from Georgetown and is convenient to museums, theaters (including the Kennedy Center), shopping and dining.
Both packages are subject to availability and are based on double occupancy. For reservations or more information, visit www.fairmont.com/washington or call (800) 441-1414.
Reach George Hobica athobica@gmail.com, Kim LiangTan at KimLiangTan@aol.comor log on to www.airfarewatchdog.com.