Comments on: More on Why Fuel Surcharges Matter, and Why Your Free Tickets Will Soon Cost More Money http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2008/01/05/more-on-why-fuel-surcharges-matter-and-why-your-free-tickets-will-soon-cost-more-money/ Putting a little thought into a lot of travel Sat, 26 May 2012 19:19:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Roxanne http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2008/01/05/more-on-why-fuel-surcharges-matter-and-why-your-free-tickets-will-soon-cost-more-money/comment-page-1/#comment-9271 Roxanne Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:13:11 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2008/01/05/more-on-why-fuel-surcharges-matter-and-why-your-free-tickets-will-soon-cost-more-money/#comment-9271 The current status of domestic fuel surcharges are not surcharges at all. They are another revenue stream for the airlines. Currently if you traveled Detroit to Flint on a 56 minute flight on a fuel efficient small aircraft called a Saab Fairchild 340 the fuel surcharge is $60.00 per direction, $120.00 roundtrip. If you travel from Detroit to Kalispell, MT with the same carrier and on a connecting flight with a total duration of 8 hours operated by operated Boeing 757's and Airbus 320's the fuel surcharge is $60.00 per direction, $120.00 roundtrip. If this was truly a fuel surcharge the amounts would be adjusted based on the aircraft and distance travelled! The current status of domestic fuel surcharges are not surcharges at all. They are another revenue stream for the airlines. Currently if you traveled Detroit to Flint on a 56 minute flight on a fuel efficient small aircraft called a Saab Fairchild 340 the fuel surcharge is $60.00 per direction, $120.00 roundtrip. If you travel from Detroit to Kalispell, MT with the same carrier and on a connecting flight with a total duration of 8 hours operated by operated Boeing 757′s and Airbus 320′s the fuel surcharge is $60.00 per direction, $120.00 roundtrip. If this was truly a fuel surcharge the amounts would be adjusted based on the aircraft and distance travelled!

]]> By: Kiwi Flyer http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2008/01/05/more-on-why-fuel-surcharges-matter-and-why-your-free-tickets-will-soon-cost-more-money/comment-page-1/#comment-421 Kiwi Flyer Thu, 10 Jan 2008 06:11:30 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2008/01/05/more-on-why-fuel-surcharges-matter-and-why-your-free-tickets-will-soon-cost-more-money/#comment-421 Many frequent flyer programs already do charge fuel surcharges on awards. It is devaluation by stealth in that the points are worth less than before the fuel surcharges existed. Indeed on some programs, fuel surcharges on awards are <i>higher</i> than on paid tickets. I have seen quotes where the "taxes" on an award ticket are more than on a paid ticket for the same flight (and they want a fistful of points for the privilege). A disgusting practice. Many frequent flyer programs already do charge fuel surcharges on awards. It is devaluation by stealth in that the points are worth less than before the fuel surcharges existed.

Indeed on some programs, fuel surcharges on awards are higher than on paid tickets. I have seen quotes where the “taxes” on an award ticket are more than on a paid ticket for the same flight (and they want a fistful of points for the privilege). A disgusting practice.

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