Some good news for U.S. consumers. The Department of Transportation isn’t relaxing rules governing the advertisement of airfares after all. (Background here, here, and here.)

What this means: Airlines can’t advertise a $100 base fare and then slap a $100 fuel surcharge on there. They’ll need to include fuel surcharges in the base fare in all marketing. No Ryanair-style pricing in the U.S.

Other policies were considered, including both more and less restrictive options. See here for a full breakdown of the alternative proposals, and which airlines supported which option.

Though more “total price” advertising would be welcome, at this point I’m content to see status quo rule the day.

Categorized in: airfare, airlines, fuel surcharges

3 Comments

3 Responses to “Consumer victory: Airlines required to include fuel surcharges in base fare”

1. 
   JL Says:
   September 22nd, 2006 at 5:39 pm

   This is good news. Do you know what the final word or plan is for the “registered traveler” plans from the US Government and the fees they wanted to tack on to that?

2. 
   Mark Ashley Says:
   September 22nd, 2006 at 7:34 pm

   Nothing is final yet, JL. I’m actually looking into this issue more, late next week, and will update the blog as soon as I know anything.

3. 
   Another Big Deal Says:
   March 15th, 2009 at 3:45 pm

   I don’t normally comment on blogs but your post was a real call to action. Thank you for a great read, I will be sure to bookmark your site and check in now and again. Cheers, Amy xXx.

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