US Airways to charge for soda, cancel leases, parking planes

[kellwolf]

Re: US Airways to charge for soda, cancel leases, parking pl

No, it isn't a constitutional right, but it is a marketing gimmick that the airlines have set up with credit card companies, etc., that allows people to rack up all these non-flying "miles". One would presume that if the airlines offered these methods to earn miles, that it makes some sort of sense to them from a business perspective, no?

I think the miles plan was a combo marketing scheme and hoping people would buy one ticket so they wouldn't travel alone. Instead, they get two credit cards with mileage rewards and get two free tickets by charging their groceries on the card. What the airlines need to do is up the block out numbers on the mileage tickets from credit card rewards. Wanna fly in the summer? Great, you're paying, not using your credit card miles. Same thing for holiday travel and weekends. Now, for frequent fliers that actually HAVE flown the miles, either keep the black out periods the same or maybe even roll 'em back a little. Might actually generate some sort of brand loyalty. I think the airlines thought they'd get brand loyalty out of credit card miles, but then everyone just has about 8 or 9 credit cards anyway, each with a different airline logo.

 

[ozziecat35]

Re: US Airways to charge for soda, cancel leases, parking pl

I also heard that on the employee side, buddy passes for friends (as well as registered guests) will be doubling at that time.

Hopefully they don't charge an entrance fee for the jumpseat!

Confirmed...buddy pass fees have indeed doubled. What used to cost 76 RT PHX-ORD, will now set your buddy back 140 and some change...So they probably won't be your buddy anymore.

 

[tprops4me]

Re: US Airways to charge for soda, cancel leases, parking pl

When I buy my airline ticket I want it all inclusive. I expect to pay x amount of dollars in return for a ticket. This ticket gets me where I am going, transports my pre-specified number of bags, offers me a small snack, and provides me with a non-alcoholic beverage to wet my whistle in the very dry cabin enviornment. Charge me what that costs when I pay the ticket. If you have to charge more per ticket than so be it. Great. But I dont want to have to do numerous cash/credit transactions throughout the check in/boarding process, and then throughout the flight.

 

[kellwolf]

Re: US Airways to charge for soda, cancel leases, parking pl

Dang. You could almost get a SWA fun fare from PHX-MDW for about the same price.....and have a confirmed seat. At $140 each way, you probably could find a confirmed seat if you bought far enough in advance. Now, if ticket prices where were they probably SHOULD be based on cost, then I'd say the buddy pass price would be a deal.

I think I just got spoiled at SWA, where buddy passes were free.

 

[kellwolf]

Re: US Airways to charge for soda, cancel leases, parking pl

When I buy my airline ticket I want it all inclusive. I expext to pay x amount of dollars in return for a ticket. This ticket gets me where I am going, transports my pre-specified number of bags, offers me a small snack, and provides me with a non-alcoholic beverage to wet my whistle in the very dry cabin enviornment. Charge me what that costs when I pay the ticket. If you have to charge more per ticket than so be it. Great. But I dont want to have to do numerous cash/credit transactions throughout the check in/boarding process, and then throughout the flight.

I agree, however, most of the flying public don't read the small print. They see the big, bold numbers with the lowest fare, and click on that one. They never realize what they're buying. They think they're getting a deal on the $105 each way fare, but they don't realize they'll have to pay $15 to check the bag, and extra $5 because they're connecting through DEN/ATL/MSP/DTW/DFW and then $2 for a Coke. Suddenly, that savings of $20 over the airline that included a bag check, was direct and still gave out free drinks gets evaporated. As long as people just go for the lowest fare possible without concern of the quality of the product, this may be how the airlines have to break even. I've given up hope of them actually making money for a bit.

 

[wheelsup]

Re: US Airways to charge for soda, cancel leases, parking pl

I firmly think that if fuel is where it was a year ago US airways would never entertain of having 2 dollar sodas or 15 dollar checked luggage.

Absolutely agree. They made almost what, a half billion in 2007? They had the 2nd best pre-tax margin, second only to NWA. Fuel is killing them.

 

[Velocipede]

Re: US Airways to charge for soda, cancel leases, parking pl

Don't laugh about the cost of flying that can of Coke. I know an airline that once took the SPOONS off the airplane to save weight/fuel.

 

[mikecweb]

Re: US Airways to charge for soda, cancel leases, parking pl

Its not that buying a soda for two dollars is bad or 15 dollars for first piece of checked luggage its the darn price of fuel going up. We have been seeing a trend for the last 6 months at the gas station. As far as airlines going ala carte its not that they want to its that they have to, to find a way to offset the fuel prices. I firmly think that if fuel is where it was a year ago US airways would never entertain of having 2 dollar sodas or 15 dollar checked luggage. With out getting into a political fight we can all blame it on the war, oil man bush and its an election year.

You can blame it on that but I'll stick to something more logical if you don't mind.