Is Oxygen Included?
by Melisa Keiser

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• Checked baggage
• Meals
• Pillows/blankets
• Premium seats
• Frequent flyer miles

What does this mean to me, the travel agent? It means that a la carte pricing makes airfare prices difficult to compare and, sometimes, it takes me a while to do the math!

So, even though the U.S. Department of Transportation has mandated that airlines include information about checked baggage fees in their online and print advertising, airlines are still NOT required to include checked baggage surcharges in the total airfare quote. These charges can (and will) be added on at the time a passenger checks his luggage.

Already, online airfare aggregators like Travelocity and Kayak are working on developing ways to highlight extra charges. However, it will likely be the end of 2009 before we see these additions to their websites. So, where do we go now to see a list of all the fees the airlines are starting to charge?

Thankfully, Smarter Travel, Airfare Watchdog, and Seat Guru have jointly developed an up-to-date chart that lists all of the a la carte fees airlines are likely to charge. It’s called the Ultimate Guide to Airline Fees. Visit this link to find the most current version of the chart.

After reviewing this chart, is it any wonder I’m looking to find an “I Love SWA” bumper sticker?

Melisa L. Keiser is the owner of Carmel Travel Company in Carmel, Ind., and the director of the OSSN Indiana Chapter. She may be reached via her listing (under "IN") in the OSSN chapter directors roster.

(Credits: Melisa Keiser, Jarjce, stock photo)