Airlines are lobbying the Department of Transport (DOT) to remove a number of key consumer protections. They want the following changes to be made (among others):
- Removal of the 24 hour grace period consumers receive when purchasing a ticket (this gives you 24 hours to cancel a ticket and receive a full refund)
- Removal of rule that requires airlines to honor ‘mistake fares’
- Removal of requirements to show on-time and cancellation data
- Ability to charge fees for wheelchair service
- Ability to pay online travel agencies to show bias in their search results
To start with let’s just remember that the DOT already doesn’t make airlines honor mistake fares, even though there is a rule in place that suggests they should. The hypocrisy in these rules changes are at an all time high, airlines want to be protected when they make a mistake and want to be able to punish consumers when they make a mistake. If anything, airlines should be held at a higher standard than consumers. I daresay there are burdensome regulations that airlines need to comply with that should be changed, but the fact that airlines are pushing for the removal of real consumer protections when asking for input frankly doesn’t lead to an air of empathy.
Please keep your comments to discussing these proposed changes rather than turning it into a debate regarding your political views.
More reason to long airline stocks
Of course there are political reasons behind this sort-of deregulation. Which is exactly why William asked that we avoid making it a political discussion.
A 24 hour cancellation period doesn’t harm anyone. Exactly how much are shareholders going to be harmed from having to refund a ticket within that window? Tickets dropping in price are a rarity this day in age where flights are calculated to be at full capacity whenever possible.
As far as mistake fares, they should be refunded within 24 hours or be honored. (Basically the same 24 hour period customers are given.) Otherwise how am I to know that a $7.50 ticket from New York to Paris is a mistake and a $1 a day rental car in Cancun us actually a scam? (Okay, this discussion is supposed to be about airlines, but this type rental car of scam also relies on lax consumer protections.)
At a certain point airlines will make people want to stop flying.
At a certain point?
In other news today, the CFPB is giving Equifax a pass – I appreciate that you want to avoid politics to the degree possible, but this is deregulation run amok, and it is driven by politicians, political parties, and their massive donors.
I don’t like this post and the sort at all. No real info as it’s nothing new. It’s not the first day airlines are doing that. If you want, you can gather all news around the world about companies being evil and lobbying. You can also do a post of SpaceX successful launch. But any info? lol
And funny, you asked readers not to turn it into a debate while this post’s nature is to spark such debate though.
And most importantly, this post are discussing something not really happening and just your wild guess or assumption…
How about focusing on bringing more good deals or even unicorn deals to readers instead of this sort of post?
It’s not my wild guess or assumption. These are proposed changes that airlines made to the DOT, it’s directly related to the content of the blog and something readers should be aware of. I’m happy to cover unicorn deals, send the information you have to [email protected]
The “no real info and nothing new” apparently passed the editorial review.of WSJ. At least be thankful that you read it on DoC, which doesn’t charge you for the subscription?
I’m down with the wheelchair fee. Way too many people are using it who don’t need it. It slows down boarding far too much. If you have a genuine handicap that requires a wheelchair, then it should be free, but otherwise, pony up.
I’m okay with it. Lots of people would be negatively affected by these changes, and others would be positively affected by them. No need for hysterics.
Who is positively affected by these changes?
Airline shareholders
People who fly but don’t use these services (i.e., someone who shares the cost of the 24 hour grace period, but is not in a position to benefit from it), and yes, shareholders. I guarantee you there are many more people who own airline stock through their retirement accounts or other investments than who benefit from the 24-hour grace period or the lack of a wheelchair fee. Full disclosure: I have benefited from the 24 hour grace period, but I am aware that it has a cost.
There is no guarantee or evidence that suggests savings made from the lack of 24 hour grace period would result in savings passed onto consumers. You can make the same shareholder argument for any pro-business change, I don’t think it’s a particularly strong argument. Part of living in a civilized society is about spreading costs to help those most disadvantaged (in this case in a wheelchair), I don’t think it’s an unnecessary burden for airlines to do this. Plus, if they are passing on the full savings to consumers then why it does affect them at all?
No offense, Fred, but your argument is sort of like saying it’s good to make manslaughter legal because it now benefits the serial murders. Or that allowing drunk driving is good for the alcohol vendors who are always too busy working during the partying hours to ever be in a crash with the drinkers anyway. I mean, yeah, somebody is gonna benefit from the change but we’re looking at a small, unethical benefits as a direct result of a lot of hurt backs.
How about more restrictive rules on emotional support animals? Charging them to fly is my suggestion. Sucks for people who absolutely need them I know but considering how many people I know with “emotional support animals” so their pet can fly for free that is an airline issue that’s gotten out of hand and where I actually want more government regulations restricting their use.
I totally agree about the animals. If you can’t fly without your peacock, then you shouldn’t fly or pay a large fee. I do agree with the wheelchair charge though. This is getting out of hand just like the animals. Flying SW, it’s getting to be half the passengers are being wheeled into the plane first just to get the best seats.
Omg I had no idea! (Don’t fly SW) That’s INSANE!
Wheelchair or not, those people can still request pre-board cards. This policy would have zero effect on your issue.
Not to mention what all of those pre-boards that then grab the exit rows does to on-time performance.
I’m so happy that our SW companion fare finally expired. 🙂
Unfortunately I had to break the news to my SO that she still has 80k SW miles to use eventually.
If the airline industry in the U.S. gets away with any of this, what else will they get away with?
Charging passengers extra for on-time arrivals?
Charging extra for aisle seats?
Removal of life vests and oxygen masks to make aircraft “lighter”?
No
Yes
No
William, the proposed changes are ALL politics and are being pushed as a result of the Republican party currently being in power. No two ways around that reality, as Parkerthon says, otherwise it’s like talking around the elephant in the room.
The changes are terrible and you are correct, the airlines want their cake and to eat it, too. Some of the changes will certainly happen, which ones are a matter of question. I’d wager OTA Bias and on-time data going away are two easy ones that pass.
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa