New Fees Coming on WN: Sale of BP slots at gate begins 12/20/2012
Dec 14, 2012, 8:36 am
#1
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Location: St. Louis, MO
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New Fees Coming on WN: Sale of BP slots at gate begins 12/20/2012
According to this story, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8BD0SY20121214, WN will be increasing third bag fees, raising some fees on Air Tran, and adding a fee for no-showing a flight.
Also, supposedly adding fees "tied to the sale of open and premium boading positions," whatever that means.
First and second checked bags remain free.
Also, supposedly adding fees "tied to the sale of open and premium boading positions," whatever that means.
First and second checked bags remain free.
Dec 14, 2012, 8:48 am
#2
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According to this story, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8BD0SY20121214, WN will be increasing third bag fees, raising some fees on Air Tran, and adding a fee for no-showing a flight.
Well, it says "roll out new fees tied to the sale of open and premium boarding positions at airport gates" (emphasis added). Since it says "new fees," my guess is that they'll offer un-used BS fare (and, maybe A-List/A-List Preferred) boarding position for sale at the gate for a fee, which is probably smart. It would have to be more than EBCI though - maybe $20-$25?
Dec 14, 2012, 8:56 am
#3
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According to this story, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8BD0SY20121214, WN will be increasing third bag fees, raising some fees on Air Tran, and adding a fee for no-showing a flight.
Also, supposedly adding fees "tied to the sale of open and premium boading positions," whatever that means.
First and second checked bags remain free.
Also, supposedly adding fees "tied to the sale of open and premium boading positions," whatever that means.
First and second checked bags remain free.
Dec 14, 2012, 9:03 am
#4
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That's an interesting idea. So the GA would make an announcement selling unused A1-15 slots for $20-$25 maybe 15 minutes before boarding is to begin. That would slightly devalue A-List and A+, but not usually by much. I could see someone who purchased EBCI and got a high A boarding pass being upset, saying they would have paid $20-25 for a A1-15 position to begin with.
Dec 14, 2012, 9:04 am
#5
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How many people were booking a cheaper earlier flight and then just showing up for the later flight?
Also, now (and, really once the specific fees are announced), it is interesting to look back at this thread: Speculation-palooza: What new fees are coming next year
Dec 14, 2012, 11:57 am
#6
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Dallas Morning News posted an article: Southwest Airlines plans to charge a fee to passengers who don’t cancel their tickets
Here's a quote (emphasis added):
Having the no-show fee essentially be a re-issue fee on the TTFs might not be be bad - it may (1) keep the flat tire rule alive and (2) make points bookings even more valuable since those points may still automatically be refunded.
Also, the article mentions an increase in EBCI fees to $12.50. (Edited to add specifics mentioned in this BusinessWeek article)
It goes into detail on the selling premium boarding positions at the gate item - that WN will offer available boarding positions in the A1-A15 BS group for a fee beginning in the first quarter of 2013.
Here's a quote (emphasis added):
Southwest executive vice president Bob Jordan, speaking at Southwest’s investor day Friday in New York, outlined what Southwest is planning:
“We have made the decision to tighten the flexibility around our most restrictive tickets. Specifically, we will implement a no-show fee for reuse of funds associated with restrictive tickets that are not flown and not cancelled by our passengers prior to flights.
“This should add ancillary revenue and promote customer behavior that allows us to sell the open seat prior to departure. So you have a double win there.
“We’re still working through the change. It’s complicated, and we’re working through the timing very carefully.
“But I’ll tell you this – we have made the decision to do it and this change will roll out in 2013. I’m just not ready to give you the exact date on it.”
“We have made the decision to tighten the flexibility around our most restrictive tickets. Specifically, we will implement a no-show fee for reuse of funds associated with restrictive tickets that are not flown and not cancelled by our passengers prior to flights.
“This should add ancillary revenue and promote customer behavior that allows us to sell the open seat prior to departure. So you have a double win there.
“We’re still working through the change. It’s complicated, and we’re working through the timing very carefully.
“But I’ll tell you this – we have made the decision to do it and this change will roll out in 2013. I’m just not ready to give you the exact date on it.”
Also, the article mentions an increase in EBCI fees to $12.50. (Edited to add specifics mentioned in this BusinessWeek article)
It goes into detail on the selling premium boarding positions at the gate item - that WN will offer available boarding positions in the A1-A15 BS group for a fee beginning in the first quarter of 2013.
Last edited by FindAWay; Dec 14, 2012 at 12:05 pm
Dec 14, 2012, 12:13 pm
#7
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Dec 14, 2012, 12:31 pm
#9
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Sometimes even small fees in the $25-50 range discourage bad behavior. There's the legit flat tire and then there's the guy who doesn't bother to keep air in his tires and is simply habitually late. The latter guy is costing WN money and customer goodwill.
Dec 14, 2012, 1:12 pm
#10
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Dec 14, 2012, 1:40 pm
#11
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Southwest will need to announce this very soon if they want it to generate revenue in 2013. I don't believe they can charge this fee on any ticket purchased before the new policy is announced.
Dec 14, 2012, 2:28 pm
#12
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Since RR 2.0 I've done just enough flying to be an A-lister. That's it.
Math proves they DROVE AWAY (I can fly 1/2 the amount and less $ total to achieve A list and keep most of my flying with DL)business people and now WN needs more fees from leisure travelers.
WN is no longer a low fare airline, and no longer a good option. Just another airline with little to no real value for those of us who fly often.
Math proves they DROVE AWAY (I can fly 1/2 the amount and less $ total to achieve A list and keep most of my flying with DL)business people and now WN needs more fees from leisure travelers.
WN is no longer a low fare airline, and no longer a good option. Just another airline with little to no real value for those of us who fly often.
Dec 14, 2012, 2:48 pm
#13
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They can announce it anytime they want so long as it only applies to tickets issued after the announcement. Given that few people buy particularly far in adance, particularly on WN, if they announce it on February 1, it will probably pick up most WN travel by 2/15.
Dec 14, 2012, 4:51 pm
#14
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I think it more likely that a change in a rule like that will apply to all flights after a certain date.
Dec 14, 2012, 6:30 pm
#15
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This definitely depends on your routes. There are plenty of routes where WN is the only good option (practically anything in California, or Texas, or the Southwest US).
DL does a good job on their hourlyish CR7/CR9 shuttle flights between LA and SFO, but I've been stuck at LAX for a few hours when a flight or two gets cancelled. At WN, it's simply a matter of going to an OAK or SJC flight and I'm usually on my way.
DL does a good job on their hourlyish CR7/CR9 shuttle flights between LA and SFO, but I've been stuck at LAX for a few hours when a flight or two gets cancelled. At WN, it's simply a matter of going to an OAK or SJC flight and I'm usually on my way.