Remember when an airline ticket included meals, beverages, blankets and pillows? According to the Associated Press, starting next year, American Airlines plans to imitate the a la carte pricing structure pioneered by Air Canada. Airlines will offer a few basic fare plans, and travelers can pick additional services — for a fee. This type of plan is similar to what phone and cable companies have been doing for years.
Fans of “unbundling,” as it’s called, say it gives travelers lower base fares with the option of paying for extras that they really want, from beverages to blankets. But travelers suspect that it will do anyting but save them money.
United Airlines hopes to generate $700 million a year from fees. Northwest Airlines estimates baggage charges will bring in up to $200 million a year. Continental Airlines predicts it will generate more than $100 million just from a new $15 fee for checking a single bag — that doesn’t include additional revenue from levies on second and third checked bags.
Seasoned travelers relay on a variety of ways to beat the system and save money on airfare. Find more travel tips on DestinationVillas.com.
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Destination Villas, a leader in the vacation rental market, offers a directory of premium properties to make it easy to find vacation rentals. Each listed property offers photos, descriptions, online request forms, rate calculators, resort information, amenities, last minute deals and an ever-growing library of articles featuring local attractions and destination guides. Destination Villas allows travelers to bypass travel agents, managers, hotel chains and middlemen and rent directly from homeowners who have properties in world-class resorts and famous destinations. Save up to 70% on vacation rental vacations from Destination Villas. Vacation rental owners list property for free. Travelers search for properties for free.
