New security charge being applied to FF-award tickets
Jan 19, 2002 | 11:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Programs: DL estranged 1MMer and lifetime gold, F9/CO/NW/UA/AA once gold/plat now dust, Spirit RIP
Posts: 42,282
New security charge being applied to FF-award tickets
This from the recent "Customer Advisory" e-mail from Continental to the OnePass mailing list:
"SECURITY FEE
The Transportation Security Administration is requiring that airlines collect the September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement, not to exceed $5.00 each way or $10.00 per round-trip ticket. This security fee goes into effect for tickets purchased on or after February 1, 2002. It applies to qualifying enplanements from airports in the U.S., its territories and commonwealths. This fee applies to all tickets including frequent flyer reward tickets, two-for-one tickets, tour conductors and infants for whom a fare has been collected."
(end quote)
The more I find out about this new security tax, the less I like. IMO security needed changes, and I even support federalizing. But what about using monies from the three EXISTING ticket taxes to pay for it before starting yet another new tax?
Also, where was Dubya "raise taxes over my dead body" on this one? Did somebody slip him a pretzel and say that this isn't a tax hike, but a new "user fee" (walks like a tax, talks like a tax, etc.)
So now we're up to $40+ in add-ons for a 4-segment flight, plus the ticket tax that's part of the quoted fare. Think some price-sensitive leisure travelers will start to balk when the advertised $200 fare prices out at $245 after all the junk fees?
That's my worst fear...the leisure travel slump continues or accelerates because of taxes and perceived security hassles, people drive on vacations instead, and airlines like HP and US go under or get merged. The lessened competition, more than anything, would be disastrous for FF benefits.
Comments? Thanks for letting me vent.
"SECURITY FEE
The Transportation Security Administration is requiring that airlines collect the September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement, not to exceed $5.00 each way or $10.00 per round-trip ticket. This security fee goes into effect for tickets purchased on or after February 1, 2002. It applies to qualifying enplanements from airports in the U.S., its territories and commonwealths. This fee applies to all tickets including frequent flyer reward tickets, two-for-one tickets, tour conductors and infants for whom a fare has been collected."
(end quote)
The more I find out about this new security tax, the less I like. IMO security needed changes, and I even support federalizing. But what about using monies from the three EXISTING ticket taxes to pay for it before starting yet another new tax?
Also, where was Dubya "raise taxes over my dead body" on this one? Did somebody slip him a pretzel and say that this isn't a tax hike, but a new "user fee" (walks like a tax, talks like a tax, etc.)
So now we're up to $40+ in add-ons for a 4-segment flight, plus the ticket tax that's part of the quoted fare. Think some price-sensitive leisure travelers will start to balk when the advertised $200 fare prices out at $245 after all the junk fees?
That's my worst fear...the leisure travel slump continues or accelerates because of taxes and perceived security hassles, people drive on vacations instead, and airlines like HP and US go under or get merged. The lessened competition, more than anything, would be disastrous for FF benefits.
Comments? Thanks for letting me vent.
Jan 20, 2002 | 1:02 pm
#2
Used to be Sydneysider
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: CPH
Programs: AS MVP/Gold (and 75K aspirant)
Posts: 2,984
this is outrageous. i am a voting conservative and simply can't believe that W let this tax increase through!! i might be less enraged if some actualy security were taking place at the airports for our money, but as we all know...
