TalkBoard Topics - New forum for fee-happy airlines?

Since the Spirit forum proposal will fail (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/talkboard-topics/1311837-comments-welcome-voting-underway-create-spirit-airlines-forum-3.html#post18020804), I would like to explore the interest in creating a forum for airlines that operate on the RyanAir model: loss leader fares with many added fees.

This would be different from the typical FT forum that focuses on one company or one geographic region. Instead it would contain information on how to navigate and even exploit the completely different fare and fee structure that these airlines use.

Reasons to have such a forum include:

1. FTers are unlikely to fly these airlines more than once or twice. We need a convenient way to educate ourselves before booking that trip, not afterwards.

2. We need a place to gripe about the travel experience or to brag about how we beat the system.

3. We will enjoy debating the pros and cons of this business model, especially if the company shills provide entertaining counterpoint.

To me, this is a no-brainer. The hard part is coming up with a fully descriptive name for this forum. I don't think "ultra-low cost carriers" does the job. It has to clarify that these airlines charge fees far in excess of what traditional airlines charge, with the total fees typically exceeding the fare. Maybe something like "Fees > Fare Airlines: Spirit, RyanAir, EasyJet"

I'm VERY interested in poster input on this proposal.

My prejudice is that geography should trump business model for 'other' airlines.

But I am open to having my prejudice challenged. ^

Do these airlines even have FT programs?

I agree with the Koko's prejudice. Also, considering that many carriers would be losing money but for added fees, I'm not so sure that these "special" airlines are too far different than the rest of the lot - once upon a time, the concept of Peoples Express was a joke, when in reality, they were just a few years ahead of their time.

Do these airlines even have FT programs?

Why would that matter? IMHO the main purpose of the forum is to help us :

a) decide whether or not to use one of these carriers for a trip where they have a convenient flight, and, if we decide to use the carrier

b) avoid spending more money than we need to on the trip.

I doubt that very many FTers would fly these airlines frequently. That makes FF program discussion irrelevant.

To me, this is a no-brainer. The hard part is coming up with a fully descriptive name for this forum. I don't think "ultra-low cost carriers" does the job. It has to clarify that these airlines charge fees far in excess of what traditional airlines charge, with the total fees typically exceeding the fare. Maybe something like "Fees > Fare Airlines: Spirit, RyanAir, EasyJet"

I think a decent amount of these threads are captured by the "Budget Travel" forum -- maybe make a sub-forum for "Budget Airlines"?

maybe make a sub-forum for "Budget Airlines"?

People look for airlines where all the other airlines are. However IIRC it's possible for a forum to be listed in more than one place, so we should be able to add a Budget Airlines heading that gets you there.

Tricky to define as nowadays all airlines are fee happy to a varying degree. Ryanair, FlyBe and Spirit clearly yes; Easyjet, Delta, United et al less so

If such a forum does come to fruition, Allegiant should be grouped together with Spirit, easyJet and Ryanair

nsx is going to have to overcome a # of legit objections for me to consider voting for this.

Cheers.

Do these airlines even have FT programs?
Allegiant is said to be rolling out a loyalty program this year. To get credits it is supposed to require all travel products be bought directly thru them but will cover air, hotel, etc. (no points/miles for booking with loyalty program partners unless it is bought thru G4). They want to emphasize they are a travel company not just an airline.

I think since everyone of those airlines already has a home, it's hard to justify creating another forum which would actually dilute place places to find information about them, making ti harder, not easier.

nsx is going to have to overcome a # of legit objections for me to consider voting for this.

Cheers.
Can you state some of these "legit" objections?

Allegiant is said to be rolling out a loyalty program this year. To get credits it is supposed to require all travel products be bought directly thru them but will cover air, hotel, etc. (no points/miles for booking with loyalty program partners unless it is bought thru G4). They want to emphasize they are a travel company not just an airline.

Why they never have a loyalty FF program. I wasn't sure why they didn't have a FF program for all of those year. This should be consider to get a brand new FF program. It's extremely importance who want to earning more point or miles, too. This should be right choice for everyone else.

1. FTers are unlikely to fly these airlines more than once or twice. We need a convenient way to educate ourselves before booking that trip, not afterwards.

I have a proposal: how about creating a new forum entitled "Airlines To Stay Away From"?

:p

Since the Spirit forum proposal will fail (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/talkboard-topics/1311837-comments-welcome-voting-underway-create-spirit-airlines-forum-3.html#post18020804), I would like to explore the interest in creating a forum for airlines that operate on the RyanAir model: loss leader fares with many added fees.

This would be different from the typical FT forum that focuses on one company or one geographic region. Instead it would contain information on how to navigate and even exploit the completely different fare and fee structure that these airlines use.

Reasons to have such a forum include:

1. FTers are unlikely to fly these airlines more than once or twice. We need a convenient way to educate ourselves before booking that trip, not afterwards.

2. We need a place to gripe about the travel experience or to brag about how we beat the system.

3. We will enjoy debating the pros and cons of this business model, especially if the company shills provide entertaining counterpoint.

To me, this is a no-brainer. The hard part is coming up with a fully descriptive name for this forum. I don't think "ultra-low cost carriers" does the job. It has to clarify that these airlines charge fees far in excess of what traditional airlines charge, with the total fees typically exceeding the fare. Maybe something like "Fees > Fare Airlines: Spirit, RyanAir, EasyJet"Bolding mine: Given the proposed thread has a negative connotation to begin with, imho, I think this would become the norm and be an absolute nightmare for moderators

Bolding mine: Given the proposed thread has a negative connotation to begin with, imho, I think this would become the norm and be an absolute nightmare for moderators

Not only that, we'll miss you because you just talked about moderation. :D :p

Not only that, we'll miss you because you just talked about moderation. :D :pSo now you're wearing a striped shirt with red armbands? ;) :D

Right now the "other" airlines are grouped by location. The question is if the "issues" faced by passengers flying Ryan Air are closer to the "issues" faced by passengers flying Aer Lingus or closer to passengers flying Spirit.

Lumping the ultra low cost carriers together makes sense.