Fair Credit Billing act allows the customer to sidestep the issue of paying the actual disputed fee.
Having actually read the merchant T&C that apply to airlines in general, yes, it is much harder to get a charge back from the airline. However, be that as it may, airlines don't get a carte blanche exemptions from investigation and research fees. In the case of a bag fee these are often more than the amount being disputed. The end game really is for the accounting department to roll over to just refund the monies voluntarily in lieu of proceeding with defending the charge back.
How does FCBA allow the customer to sidestep the issue of paying the disputed fee? You'll receive a provisional credit, but you will pay it unless the dispute is concluded in your favor.
Based on the airlines' accounting and information systems, it is quite simple to validate whether a fee was validly applied. Promoting the dispute of fees for delayed bags is absurd and an abuse of the "system."
Given DL and some other airlines' love for fees on tickets -- some done in the name of "unbundling" or "a la carte pricing" -- it's just a matter of time until the likes of DL charges for the use of the bathroom on the flight too.
Welcome to Delta Airlines where the airline management team would consider pay-per-use in-flight toilets if they thought enough of their competition would follow it like lemmings.
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This game is not as much fun as it used to be: 2008/2009 Frequent Flyer Program Fleecing Award goes to Delta Airlines
Much as we frequent fliers strongly prefer one rate all-inclusive, I think marketing studies and basic human psychology are proving that for the vast majority of fliers, it is apparently okay to get "in the door" at a "low airfare" and then pay a little here, a little there, for extras. Icky but true.
The airlines are relying on customer ignorance for this strategy to suceed. In the internet era they are doomed to fail. All it will take is the travel booking engines to modify their search criteria to price itineraries for you + X bags. I'm surprised Expedia hasn't done this already.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy1369
Looks like Continental is now the only airline that didn't "lead the path" with new fees. Case in study: Southwest was the first by eliminating its' free 3rd bag policy; United was the first to establish the $25 2nd-bag fee; American the $15 1st bag fee; US Airways $2 for drinks (abolished now, though), and now Delta with the $50 2nd bag int'l fee. Continental is the only legacy airline that didn't start any new fees; just following. Thoughts on that?
CO has restricted excess baggage to practically all Latin America markets via an "excess baggage embargo"
How does FCBA allow the customer to sidestep the issue of paying the disputed fee? You'll receive a provisional credit, but you will pay it unless the dispute is concluded in your favor.
Based on the airlines' accounting and information systems, it is quite simple to validate whether a fee was validly applied. Promoting the dispute of fees for delayed bags is absurd and an abuse of the "system."
Nothing inappropriate about disputing a fee for faulty service paid for with a credit card where the service provider didn't deliver the service as prominently marketed. If someone pays for a service to transport their bags with them on the same flight as they fly and that service is not rendered properly, then a dispute of the charge with the credit card company is an option to consider for those who feel they were sold a lemon.
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This game is not as much fun as it used to be: 2008/2009 Frequent Flyer Program Fleecing Award goes to Delta Airlines
I understand the concept. And the argument is brilliant! It's great to unbundle fares and only pay for what you need! The problem is that those savings are disturbingly lost in poor execution by airlines. AC has done an excellent job of portraying the unbundling in a positive way. With DL and other carriers, those supposedly 'cheaper' fares as a result of not paying excess fees are non-existent. Airlines will continue to add on the fees and add on to fares as well.
If US carriers could adapt their IT systems to execute this properly, I would be all for it. If you saw the price when purchasing, then say there was a check box that allowed you to 'unselect' baggage from being checked. Then the base fare would go down as a result. That would be a great way of getting the public's mindset towards a value-based approach, instead of leaving people scorned and angry at the airport by being nickeled and dimed to death.
This is not good idea for charging of $50 2nd bags fees but, it was too expensive for that. So I think it would be reduction the fees to less $10 fees for 2nd bags fee. So I would assume DL will have free of charge 1st & 2nd bags. Right now, the fuel pricing has already went down. So otherwise, I would think it will be getting better for those days.
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I will try to concentrate with English. Thanks!
2009 Travel: DL 18836 MQMs
The question remains: why would you protest something that hasn't happened?
Because most current DL-NW elites won't be exempted from these fees forever if the fees applicable to general passengers end up not being pulled by DL management.
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This game is not as much fun as it used to be: 2008/2009 Frequent Flyer Program Fleecing Award goes to Delta Airlines
Location: Airports: JFK, ATL (and the rest of the world follows)
Programs: DL PM (and, sadly, added few more)
Posts: 109
Well, the catch 22 protest is...
Every elite passenger checks the max bags, increasing DL expenses...
but- the catch is- it locks us to the flight- delay on the ground, earlier flight, etc., we can't make it to our next destination.
But, here is my 2 cents on this:
I booked today 3 tickets for our junior analysts (just a conference in Florida), and this time, oh well- I booked them on Continental. I think this time we will stick to it. When 'Jeff' pulled the M,B,Y fare off the radar we booked tickets in CO and then switched back when DL backed off the plan. But, I think I will let them go CO this time. It's not international, but we have 35% international travel at work (mine is more like 55-60%). For us, sometimes a checked bag is essential (I usually travel for up to 96 hours. But, we can send junior members to 10 days, and they might need some stuff...)
Let's wait and see. I just don't like the DL nickle and dime approach. Price it, let me work with it. We will not begin having two accounting systems for flights and overall flight cost. It's just does not make sense
Programs: WN CP, A-List; CO Plats; NW Golds (ex Plats); Hilton Diamond; Marriott Silver; Club Cholula™ Plat
Posts: 19,284
Quote:
Originally Posted by sxf24
How does FCBA allow the customer to sidestep the issue of paying the disputed fee? You'll receive a provisional credit, but you will pay it unless the dispute is concluded in your favor.
Based on the airlines' accounting and information systems, it is quite simple to validate whether a fee was validly applied. Promoting the dispute of fees for delayed bags is absurd and an abuse of the "system."
It's no different than if a vendor sold you faulty merchandise. The CC charge might have been valid initially but comes invalid & refundable when the defects are discovered.
Best in Class 
