var json_comments = new Array("
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ElPresidente408
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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JetBlue and Southwest only accept CC in-flight

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3 replies
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craptastico
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@ElPresidente408: this has nothing to do with in-flight, it's only for airline tickets

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bohemian
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@craptastico: Isn't CC the only way to purchase an airline ticket these days?

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NeverLetMeDown
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@bohemian:


Nope, you can always walk up to the counter and pay cash.

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DangerMouth
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@NeverLetMeDown: True, but since 911, paying cash for ailine tickets seems like one of those red flags that would earn you a nice long chat with TSA.

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ApupnamedShamus
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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Uhmmmm. Charging a 'credit card fee' is clearly against Visa and Mastercard Merchant Terms of Service. And if they accept Amex with those other cards, then the same rule applies for them. The only card that has no clear rule or associated rule is Discover. This is why gas stations offer a 'cash discount' to try and get away with it. But still, the ADVERTISED price has to be the credit price. Unless the airlines are offering a discount if you pay with cash (online???) then they are in violation of the agreement and subject to fines and loss of merchant account.

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6 replies
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remington870_20ga
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@ApupnamedShamus: My thoughts exactly.

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squinko
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@ApupnamedShamus: Something I just thought of is that the airlines are supposed to be suspicious of people who purchase their tickets with cash. So trying to avoid yet another airline fee might get you pulled out of the security line for some rubber glove-type searches...

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farcedude
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@ApupnamedShamus: That's what I would wonder - how are you supposed to pay with anything besides a credit card these days. I suppose you could use a debit card, but besides walking up to the ticket counter and paying in cash, what's your option here?

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madanthony
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@farcedude:

actually, walking up to the counter and paying in cash is exactly the \"option\" they give you. And since it's a fee for buying online, not explicitly for paying with a credit card, it's probably OK under their merchant agreement.

Spirit adds a $4.90 passenger usage fee for bookings not made in person at its airport locations. And Allegiant applies a $14 surcharge to tickets booked through its Web site but waives this \"convenience\" fee if you buy in person at one of its ticket offices. Both are de-facto credit card fees.

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Al Swearengen
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@madanthony:


So, if what you say holds true, if you buy at the counter with a credit card they would not charge you extra. Let's see if it truly works out that way.


Really, buying online should be cheaper then buying at the counter. Sure there are server and programming costs, but you should make up those costs with the increase in sales volume. I'm willing to bet that processing ticket sales at the counter are less efficient and more expensive than buying online, its just that the airlines don't want to give the 2% to credit card companies.


And who books at the counter anyway? People usually buy their tickets far in advance of the flight, and they don't usually make a trip to the airport to buy the tickets weeks ahead of time, unless perhaps they are frequent business travelers. And what about if you get the tickets through a travel agency? Is that considered the counter so that you wouldn't be charged extra? People just don't buy their tickets at the counter.


Let's call it what it is, another way to screw people out of a few extra dollars. Its like Ticketmaster charging people a \"convenience fee\" for using Ticketmaster or them charging you an up front parking fee even if you don't need to park (you can walk to the venue).

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jvanbrecht
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@farcedude: There is none. Airlines stopped taking cash along time ago, I believe its also part of \"new\" security measures.

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pot_roast
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@jvanbrecht: This is completely false. AirTran, Delta/Northwest, Alaska, United, and others will happily take cash. They almost have to, since a lot of people pay for those annoying baggage fees?

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Inglix_the_Mad
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@pot_roast: How long until you see someone pay for a $400 ticket with change?

/snicker
//but it's legal tender officer!

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AnthonyC
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@Inglix_the_Mad:
Except I don't think change is legal tender, even though bills are. I'm not sure.

More importantly, this isn't a debt, so they aren't required to accept cash, which specifically is legal tender for all debts.

I think.

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dragonfire81
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@acvicari: Change is legal tender, but any business or company is within their rights to restrict what tender they will or will not take.

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SharkD
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@farcedude: Some airlines charge a fee for purchasing tickets in person, at the counter, IIRC.

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FatLynn
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@sharkd: Yes. Also, some charge for booking over the phone. I actually had a phone rep for AA walk me through a tricky booking situation online so that I could avoid the fee.

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econobiker
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@sharkd: 2nded on your comment.


These airlines are learning from the phone industry and rental car industry in how to nickel and dime their way to profits...

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cowboyesfan
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@econobiker:

Yes, I agree too. Credit card fees should remain buried in the price of tickets and all other goods purchased.

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augiet65
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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I thought charging more for using a CC was against the merchant agreement.

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4 replies
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Kogenta
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@augiet65: They aren't charging you for using a credit card, they're charging you for using their online options (naturally you can't use cash online, so it amounts to the same thing almost, but there is a distinction in theory)

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madanthony
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@augiet65:

It's not explicitly a credit card fee, but rather a convenience fee for buying online, so it probably is OK under their merchant agreement.

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AJ_Syrinx
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@augiet65: It's supposed to be. Who knows anymore, right?

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gStein_*|bringing starpipe back|*
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@augiet65: normally, yes.
but i think that apple stores have a separate merchant agreement - at least, i think i've read that before.

need to run to class, will do more research on that later.

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Sneeje
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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That will just serve to make me stop using credit cards. Sorry, MC/VISA!

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3 replies
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craptastico
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@Sneeje: so if you buy a ticket on Orbitz, you're going to pay cash?

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Sneeje
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@Rectilinear Propagation: No, I do. My point just is that I'm neither going to pay someone else to use my CC, nor am I going to pay a CC company to use one. The moment I do, it will not be used. Bad for them. I will find some other way to pay or I will do without.

To take any other approach means that we as consumers might as well accept that this will become one more direct cost that we will start bearing. I don't need a CC that much.

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winshape
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@craptastico: Seriously, that was my first thought.

So it is cheaper to purchase the tickets online, but since you can only purchse tickets online by using a credit card, there's no way to avoid paying a credit card convenience fee.

It's lose-lose!

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TakingItSeriously is a Technopile
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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Definitely another fee to shore up a faulty bussiness. most air travel is booked by credit card well in advance. Even with these fees people are unlikely to pay for flights with cash or check in any appreciable amount.

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1 replies
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QuantumRiff
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@TakingItSeriously is Simon: Can you actually pay with cash or check anymore? I was under the assumption that purchasing via cash or check at the counter was going away, since it didn't give our big brother enough time to run our names through their database.. (and the costs of accounting for the cash).

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pecan 3.14159265
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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To make things clear, the airlines are talking about implementing fees for booking flights, not in-flight snacks and stuff (though they may do that already).


This is ridiculous. Credit cards are the safest way of purchasing online, especially for large purchases like airline tickets. With checked bag fees, late fees, transfer fees, and now this, even budget airlines are getting expensive.

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Burning pakalolo not even noticing the weather
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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So how the heck am I supposed to pay for my ticket? I thought cash was frowned upon and you were looked at as a terrorist for paying that way. Why should I pay a fee to pay for something? Can airlines please stop nickle and diming us? Please?

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4 replies
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bohemian
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@Burning pakalolo not even noticing the weather: We so need national rail. The airlines are like a chronic alcoholic, they will never change. We need another option for at least some of our travel.

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jamar0303
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@bohemian: Yep- I always wonder why some people seem to be so against HSR. Hello! Most US airlines suck monkey rear!

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pecan 3.14159265
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@Burning pakalolo not even noticing the weather: That's how they get you. I think with one of the airlines mentioned, if you show up at their ticket counter and pay in person, they'll waive the fee (even if you use a credit card, I guess). But if you book on the website, fee! For the other airline, the opposite is in play. It's ridiculous.

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jvanbrecht
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: Whats weird, is that at most places, its the other way around, pay online, no fee, pay in person or over the phone, fee for using the \"individuals\" who are serving you. Computers don't exactly have a salary to cover, although they do have operating costs (server farms and what not).

But the point being, even those people no longer accept cash.. I don't think I have seen a cash drawer at any airport check in or ticket purchase counter in years... And some won't accept cash, and for that matter, won't accept a CC that has any other name then the person's who's name will be on atleast 1 of the tickets (if purchasing more then 1 ticket).

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Al Swearengen
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@jvanbrecht:


Yes, it does seem to make more business sense to encourage people to pay with credit because then people will buy in advance and the flights have a better chance of selling out. If you force people into a situation where they buy at the last minute, you will end up turning away customers at the gate because other people showed up at the last minute to buy tickets. They should encourage purchases as early as possible, and frown upon last minute purchases.

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TCama
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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So would they rather I mail them a check?

No, seriously. How can you pay without a credit card? I mean, I guess if you're buying the ticket at the airport then you can pay with cash. But other than that.

Bank transfer? Money order?

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2 replies
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winshape
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@TCama: I think that's the point. They don't want you to avoid any fees.

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Rectilinear Propagation
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@winshape: Then why not just raise prices? A fee has the potential of getting waived and all this does is slow things down when people try to convince the person to waive the fee or refund it at the airport.

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CompyPaq
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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Wait, so how do I pay for my ticket? Credit Cards work well for online payments. I can't insert cash into my computer. (right?) Am I being charged a fee to pay for my ticket or to prebook a flight? From now on will we just have to buy tickets same day in the airport (and hope they don't charge a \"talking to an agent fee\")?

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3 replies
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farcedude
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@CompyPaq: No, see that's another function of the cup-holder that your computer comes with - just place the folded $100 bills in, and you'll never see it again!

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MikeM_inMD
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@CompyPaq: There's always the option of using a travel agent. (Hmmmm. Maybe the travel agents put the airlines up to this.)

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nybiker
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@MikeM_inMD: IIRC there is also the possibility of 'forcing' the travel agents to use the airline credit card (or an 'official' airline card) otherwise the agent has to pay a fee for using a different credit card account, which of course would then have to be passed on to us, the consumer.


Maybe this trial balloon will pop and they'll forget it. OTOH, Mythbusters proved a lead balloon will float, so there may no way around this (other than not flying, which I am currently doing due to my unemployment status). Or as bohemian mentioned, we need national rail travel, to provide worthy competition to the airlines. Otherwise, we need to keep stocking up on the lube.

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pearl
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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Ugh this is a horrible implementation. Right now I'm in Europe and booking with any discount airlines like Ryan Air or Easy Jet requires at least an extra €10 above advertised price, unless you have a Visa electron card, which are not really available in the States and seemingly can't be acquired where I'm at, Germany, without a fee. Easy Jet actually charges almost €5 per one way flight using a Visa debit card, and almost €10 per one way flight with every other card. Either way, I don't see the necessity for such a thing... haven't they made off enough with holiday pricing and baggage fees?

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Ronin-Democrat
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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catch 22 or circular logic if you have a college degree.

charge more for paying by card but they charge you a fee for buying at airport or away from airport or by phone.

you can no longer reserve a seat and pay at the airport..... the golden days of flying

where is sir freddie laker when you need him.

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2 replies
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acasto
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@Ronin-Democrat: What does having a college degree have to do with anything? I would think someone who attaches that kind of label to something would know the difference between a Catch-22 and Cicular Logic, aka Begging the Question.

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scoosdad
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@Ronin-Democrat:

Sir Freddie Laker, British low-cost airline pioneer, was killed suddenly yesterday during a promotional photo shoot when he was struck from behind by one of his own planes on the tarmac and sucked into an engine...

Actually, he passed away in 2006:

[www.freddieawards.com]

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fordpickup
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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Dear Airlines,

Please just build more of the operating costs into the actual ticket cost. I won't feel like I'm getting nickle-and-dimed and you will be able to move closer to turning a profit without looking like Cash4Gold.

Best,

Fordpickup

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2 replies
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magic8ball
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@fordpickup: SERIOUSLY. They could charge me the exact same amount upfront, and I would have no complaints - I would pay the price for the ticket if it seemed reasonable, or walk away if it didn't. But when they show me a lower ticket price and make up the difference with spurious fees, it pisses me off. Just TELL ME how much the ticket ACTUALLY costs, so I can make an informed decision. It's particularly insidious when they tack the fee on at the very end of the purchasing process, because they know people are less likely to back out once the've gone to the trouble of finding the right flight, entering all their payment information, etc.

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Haltingpoint
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@magic8ball: The reason they are doing the price increase through additional fees is because of the importance of being able to advertise a lower ticket price. What would get you more interested--a $99 ticket or a $399 ticket? Sure many people might be turned off when they investigate fees but the ROI is worth it to them.

Additionally, sites like Expedia and Travelocity are all about sorting by price, so a lower base price ticket is the most important thing. It is pure deception.

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Bargaineering.com
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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Yet another thing Southwest can slap in the other airlines' faces. :)

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ARP
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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Of course, in addition to actually buying at ticket at the airport (have you ever tried it, it's hell), if you buy at the airport, its harder to find the right flight/fee that you found online. Likely, the particular fee is already gone, unless you're booking months in advance. So, its essentially a way to pay higher fares.

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GreatWhiteNorth
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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Seems to me one of the flags that gets raised resulting in extra attention to a passenger is \"paid cash for ticket\"...

We all know that folks who pay cash for airline tickets are either drug dealers, fugitives, terrorists or some other undesirable...

So now to save the soon to be $40 paid by credit card fee, we will pay by cash. Then we will go for the extra level of screening reserved for high risk travelers.

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tape
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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So, you generally get charged more for not buying online in advance. And now you get charged for buying online in advance.

It's a good thing I gave up on flying about 5 years ago.

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FatLynn
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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What if you are using a CC branded by that airline?

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wcnghj
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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Illegal in like 6 states and not allowed for VISA or MC merchants.

If you are charged a credit card fee, get a chargeback on that amount, the merchant will shape up.

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5 replies
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corkdork
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@wcnghj: Anyone know what 6 states a CC fee like this would be illegal in? Just curious.

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Esquire99
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@wcnghj:
The illegality in 6 states is interesting. I wonder if the airlines are based in any of those states. I imagine that a careful structuring of the legal location and operation of the entity accepting/processing the payment could avoid those states' laws, though.

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RPHP
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@Esquire99: That is interesting - I never heard it was illegal in 6 states. However, as noted in above comments this seems like a fee for booking online versus booking in person. Therefore, it is not technically a CC Fee (because apparently using a CC in person does not incur the fee) and probably would fall outside the confines of those laws anyway.

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wcnghj
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@Esquire99: It doesn't matter where they are based for my states law- they cannot charge a fee to any consumer from my state.

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RPHP
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@wcnghj: I think you are misunderstanding Esquire99's point and you totally ignore mine.

To explain what I think 99 is talking about - with the online world I believe a transaction may legally take place where the retailer is based rather than the consumer in some instances (99 correct me if I am wrong). Therefore, your state law would not apply to the transaction because it technically did not take place in your state.

I will not repeat my point from above but that provides an additional reason why even if the transaction takes place in your state it may be legal.

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ARP
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@RPHP: In addition, even if they can't get around that particular law, I think they're getting around the entire cc fee structure by charging an \"online booking fee\" and not a credit card fee. Of course, CC's are one of the few means to actually book online. And if you sent in a check, they could say that the fare is subject to change until the check clears. So, they've essentially made it a legal CC fee by process of elimination and the administrative burden to do it any other way. The only grey areas would be a debit card or paypal (if they accept it).

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GreatWhiteNorth
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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It really does make traveling by another means more interesting, convenient and honest... train, car, wagon, or even by camel where you at least know you can expect one hump or two (dromedary or bactrian)!

Airlines, you will know know how many humps to expect.

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GreatWhiteNorth
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@GreatWhiteNorth: that should be \"you will never know how many humps to expect.\"

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ElizabethD
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot. ??????

So, I vote we all bring our airfare to the ticket counter in PENNIES, in big muslin bags. \"Skycap -- some help here please.\"

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econobiker
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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\"We must charge you an extra fee for you to get a discount.\"


Milo Minderbinder would be proud...

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Saltillopunk
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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It has been touched upon in several comments here, but could easily be overlooked by those who don't read them all. In the case of Spirit, this fee is for booking online. As it was explained in a local news article a little while back, the ticket can be purchased in person, at the ticket counter, and there will not be a fee. I can't speak to the other airline mentioned, but it might be a similar situation.

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Jevia
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@Saltillopunk: I love how they will charge you a fee for booking online, but not getting your ticket in person. But if you check-in for the flight in person, you pay an extra \"check-in\" fee (at least if you have a bag), but no extra fee (beyond the base bag fee) if you check in online.

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crackblind
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@Saltillopunk: And how much does it cost to go out to the airport - tolls & parking fees? Plus the cost of your time?

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PsiCop
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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Headline: Airlines Charge Fees for Doing Business in a Normal Way. News at 11.

Seriously ... there will come a time when airlines will charge for EVERYTHING. No doubt they'll soon charge for using the lavs. They'll charge for turning on the overhead reading light. Turn it off to nap a little while and then turn it back on later? Another charge! And for opening up the overhead vent. They'll charge for having pushed the flight-attendant button (even if by accident). They'll charge if you tilt your seat back. They'll charge if you lift the armrest, and charge you a second time for putting it down (which is required for landing). They'll charge if you stand up just a minute to stretch your legs. They'll charge for asking a flight attendant a question.

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jamar0303
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@PsiCop: Once upon a time I saw a SNL skit that went kinda along those lines posted on a Japanese video sharing site. The comments were a combination of laughter, shock, and pity. Because this kind of thing doesn't happen over there. They get to have airlines like ANA on their domestic routes. We have United.

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Powerlurker
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@jamar0303:

Are Japanese domestic airlines really that much better? I once flew ANA from NRT to FUK, and besides being the only time I've flown on a 737 in single-class configuration it didn't seem that much different from any other airline I've flown on. That having been said, the Japanese domestic airline industry is VERY different from the US one in a number of ways, between filling 747s with single-class seating (Tokyo-Haneda to Sapporo-New Chitose is the busiest airline route in the world) and discount airlines that won't accept bookings more than a month or so in advance. Let's also not forget that JAL is currently hemorrhaging money and will likely be bought out soon.

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jamar0303
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@Powerlurker:
Well, the plus side of flying ANA is that they actually tend to be on time. Also, they don't lose your luggage and their handlers (as well as Japanese airport security) know better than to steal out of passengers' luggage. Also, \"SKiP\" (if you were on a connection or didn't have an ANA mileage card you wouldn't know). Tap your frequent-flyer card/cellphone/scan your printed e-ticket at the security screening thingy to print out your boarding pass right there. You only have to be there 5 minutes before departure. None of the crap like in the US (seriously, what do you mean I have to be there 2 whole hours before departure?). Basically, flying in Japan is actually something to get excited about, and it's smoother.

Which is why I mentioned ANA. JAL is dying because of mismanagement, but they will never get bought out. The current candidates (Delta, American) are up for a minority stake in JAL. Either of them buying JAL outright would be like ANA buying out United (though the second is actually desirable).

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rellog321
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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Sorry, I know many believe that government shouldn't tell businesses how to run, but they need to step in on all the \"fees\" and \"add-ons\" that consumers are getting hit with. If it isn't airlines, it's the telecommunications companies, ISPs and cable/sat companies. Time to institute a \"true in pricing\" law of some sort...

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diasdiem
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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Perhaps its finally time for us all to consider alternative means of transportation.

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digitalgimpus
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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1. Violation of merchant agreement.

2. What other options besides credit/debit cards exist? I don't think any airline accepts cash or personal checks anymore. Credit cards are part of their \"security\" (verification) scheme.

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Ihaveasmartpuppy
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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Well, if people put up with they'll keep doing it. More and more fees, fees for everything. What if people stopped flying? I mean, anything other than emergencies or strictly necessary flights? Yes I know the whole travel industry would hurt, but maybe they could help pressure the airlines to wake up. I say boycott.

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JGKojak
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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So it'll be great for the contestants on Amazing Race...

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NewsMuncher
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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If airlines charge a credit card fee (in whatever circumstance), then it would seem to me that credit cards should offer more sky miles.

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rellog321
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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People show pay the fee, then dispute it with the credit card company... should cost the airlines a pretty penny since it's a violation of their agreement...

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johnfrombrooklyn
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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I met a gentleman the other day - probably in his 70s or early 80s - who told me a great story. In the 1950s if you flew PanAm First Class to Argentina, the stewardesses would actually wheel out a cart with a Hibachi, light the charcoal, and grill up Argentinian beef for you in the cabin. Since Hibachis don't put out much smoke, the airplane vents would just take care of it. And since most travelers were smoking cigarettes on the plane, it didn't add much anyway. Every traveler in First Class could pick a red or white wine and get an entire bottle. If you didn't drink the bottle you could take it with you off the flight.

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subtlefrog
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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I think most people are missing the point. They aren't charging to use the credit card, they are charging to book online. They know that few people are going to go wait in line at the airport to buy, or go find a ticketing office. Online is where the majority of the ticket sales happen, and as someone else said, they don't WANT you to avoid the fees. They are essentially increasing the cost of the ticket by $4.90 or $14 for all but a tiny portion of people buying the ticket.

If you don't want to pay it, find out if you are looking at an airline that will charge one of these fees, and go to a travel agent, or a licensed ticket agent, and have book through them. If that's not worth the money to you, pay it. Or, book on another airline.

This is irritating, but these appear to be the options they have left us.

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vastrightwing
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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Where is the crying baby fee?

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SatisfriedCrustomer
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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I'd sooner expect them to charge a fee for paying anything at the counter - it delays the whole line. Naturally they got it backwards.

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u1itn0w2day
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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Just build the freaken cost of doing business into the price of your product . I don't want an itemized list from your balance sheet . I don't want to be nickel & dimed . If you need a bailout simply ask for one like everyone else .


Just build the everything into the price and not disguise your actual price with all these petty fees .

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crimebll
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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On the other hand, how is this different from the \"convenience fees\" everybody else charges. I've had Ticketron tack on fees totaling 1/3 of the price of my ticket.

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Mecharine
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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Why can't people just take trains? Sure it may take longer, but you wont pay fees just to pay the bill. Don't forget that you can actually see the scenery you pass, and not just assume that its somewhere under your plane.

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Jevia
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@Mecharine: Well, for one thing, trains usually don't go across oceans, so trips to islands or Europe can be hard.


Its also a time issue. If I have one week of vacation, but it takes me 3 days to drive/train to California, then I get one day to visit with family before I have to go back. Maybe a train would take 2 days travel, so I get 3 days with family. Still pretty short when I can fly in one day.

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crimebll
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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Mecharine, other than because the alternative to a two-hour flight from City A to City B might be a 14-hour train ride?

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jamar0303
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@crimebll: Which is why we need HSR. Shinkansen speeds would mean that the alternative would only be 4-5 hours, not 14.

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sevenwhitehorses
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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i bet the cc companies go along with it. they have in their agreement for merchants that id does not have to be shown HOWEVER when I called mastercard they informed me that it is up to the store owner even though that is in conflict with what the agreement says.

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jp7570
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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The last time I tried to buy a ticket at the counter was 2 years ago. American Airlines kindly charged me abn additional $30 for the \"privelege\" of talking to a real live person as part of the transaction. When I went to pay, they would not take a check and could only take cash if it was for the exact amount (since they could not make change). The only way to pay was by credit card.


Maybe AA has changed some of their counter policies since then, but it sure seems that they are only set up for credit transactions when it comes to ticket purchases.

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BridgetPentheus
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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@jp7570:
2 years ago American Airlines charged me a fee for booking over the phone using my miles to fly to Australia because the online system doesn't allow you to use it to book trips there. I think if it's a limitation of your system than the phone call should be free. And they charge to book over the phone, now charge credit card fees online and watch out if you buy from a foreign airline, even if the price is in US dollars if they have an office overseas, your credit card (except capitol one) will charge you now a foreign transaction fee. Do they want my blood too?

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barco
November 13, 2009 4:34 PM
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I paid cash three times last year, and each time I was \"randomly selected\" and got hit with the SSSS on the boarding pass.

Everybody needs to start paying cash just so they'll be forced to cut out that crap.

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