New forum for fee-happy airlines?
Feb 15, 2012, 12:09 pm
#1
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
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New forum for fee-happy airlines?
Since the Spirit forum proposal will fail, 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"
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"
Feb 15, 2012, 12:21 pm
#2
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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. ^
My prejudice is that geography should trump business model for 'other' airlines.
But I am open to having my prejudice challenged. ^
Feb 15, 2012, 12:26 pm
#3
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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.
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.
Feb 15, 2012, 12:37 pm
#4
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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.
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.
Feb 15, 2012, 1:05 pm
#5
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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"
Feb 15, 2012, 1:30 pm
#6
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Feb 15, 2012, 1:34 pm
#7
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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
Feb 15, 2012, 2:26 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,439
If such a forum does come to fruition, Allegiant should be grouped together with Spirit, easyJet and Ryanair
Feb 15, 2012, 2:52 pm
#9
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nsx is going to have to overcome a # of legit objections for me to consider voting for this.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Feb 16, 2012, 5:42 pm
#10
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Location: Central California and on the Road
Posts: 297
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.
Feb 17, 2012, 7:59 am
#11
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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.
Feb 17, 2012, 10:53 pm
#13
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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.
Feb 21, 2012, 3:56 am
#14
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Feb 21, 2012, 10:48 am
#15
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Since the Spirit forum proposal will fail, 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"
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"