Let the buyer beware when it comes to cheapest fares?
Air Canada’s plan to toughen up restrictions for those who buy its cheapest fares may be raising hackles among some members of the travelling public but several travel agents are also cautioning that those lowest fares aren’t likely to be the bargain they may initially seem in any case.
The carrier has announced that those who buy its lowest fares will find that some types of belongings won’t qualify as carry-on bags as of Jan. 3 for both those travelling within this continent and those heading to southern sun destinations.
Those basic fare passengers will have to check the likes of duffel bags, rolling suitcases and large backpacks, paying $35 for the first checked item, and $50 for a second.
Small personal items, such as a purse or laptop bag, will be exempt from the fees, as will strollers, mobility aids and medical devices.
Delores Frederiksen of CAA Travel in Saint John says travellers should always be wary of basic economy fares.
“Prior to the announcement of Air Canada, I have always advised my clients that the only way we would book a basic economy ticket is if there was a form of trip cancellation insurance purchased,” she says. “This was to protect the completely non-refundable money that would be spent with Air Canada. Now I am moving towards not selling any form of basic economy class with any air carrier. People always want the best price possible but when the time comes that you must start paying for bags and seats that super low price, is not so low!”
From past bookings, Frederiksen says it creates a bad customer experience and expectations are not often met.
“Low-cost air carriers continue to struggle, however, there are a lot of people who continue to book with them. I think of Flair Airlines. This is an airline we do not book, due to not having any support from a travel agent standpoint. The biggest warning I provide to my clients when they want to book low-cost carriers — be prepared and be patient if you need help after booking. My experience is that the hold times are very long to speak with reservations, or the online FAQ often does not answer many questions. This will be an unprecedented time in travel, in my opinion,” Frederiksen continues. “The overall demand is making it so that people must book really early, pay super high pricing to get what they want or must be flexible in dates to obtain decent pricing. Then we will factor in the low-cost air carriers that sound so great on paper but remain to be seen how they operate during the winter months — especially from Atlantic Canada — and handle their clients along the way.”
Ethel Hansen Davey of Uniglobe Enterprise Travel in Toronto in turn agrees very low fares may not turn out to be very low in the longer run.
“I’m not totally against the cost of bringing a carry-on when purchasing the rock bottom price,” she says. “The passenger can then choose what add-ons they want, depending on need. It is very necessary for travel advisors to be very upfront when explaining this to clients. The lowest price may not be the best choice, price-wise, when you start adding these optional charges. We will have to, in very clear terms, offer the other options for comparison. And I think that it’s time that the airlines take the myriad of fees that are currently under taxes, and include them in the fare. To see a fare of $189 grow by $500 or so, listed as taxes, which they are not, is very disheartening. There needs to be transparency.”
Monica Millin of Vancouver-area La Dolce Vita Travel believes airlines should be cracking down on carry-on bags in the first place.
“As someone who likes to follow the rules, I have to say this is an excellent step forward,” she says. “Too often, I’ve been on flights with my single carry-on and purse, only to see others boarding with oversized duffel bags — sometimes two of them — along with additional personal items. I can’t help but wonder, is no one monitoring this? Why aren’t they being asked to check their bags? While this change will primarily impact those purchasing basic economy fares, it’s certainly a step in the right direction. This is also why I never recommend basic economy to my clients. Instead, I always prioritize fares that include a checked bag for a smoother travel experience.”
Paul Nielsen of Toronto’s Paragon Travel isn’t excited about Air Canada’s upcoming moves.
“I greet Air Canada”s decision to charge ‘some’ clients for carry-on bags with ambivalence,” he says. “Yes, it raises negative emotions, even for people in other fare classes because it is seen as nickel and diming but frankly we know of very few people who book basic economy and strongly advise against it due to the other restrictions inherent in the basic economy ticket fare. For those who do purchase basic economy it might be a fair/fare argument but for passengers in other fare classes, they join in the fuss with righteous indignation just because extra fees are a hotly contested subject in general. As other airlines do similar, the fuss will fade. Will basic economy as a fare class disappear? I don’t think so as there are always people searching for the absolute cheapest way to get to their destination and there will always be an airline ready to greet them with both open arms and a hand outstretched for those ancillary fees.”
Air Canada also announced that as of Jan. 21, those booking the cheapest fares will have to pay if they want to change the seat assigned to them at check-in.
The airline says its announced moves will bring its fare structure close to what its Canadian competitors offer and better enable clients to see what its different fares provide.
