News articles in Travel Fees

American Express Platinum Offers New Suite of Traveler's Benefits

(Dive Travel Business News - December 2, 2010) -- American Express is offering Platinum Card members a new suite of benefits that are worth hundreds of dollars, including an airline fee credit of up to $200, a 20 percent travel bonus and a travel app. read more »

US Travel Promotion Act Starts Sept 15, 2010

US Travel Promotion Act begins Sept 15, 2010

(Dive Travel Business News - Sept 8, 2010) -- Earlier this summer, the U.S. Government raised U.S. passport fees substantially, increasing the cost for US citizens traveling abroad. This fall, the focus will be on inbound travel with the new U.S. Travel Promotion Act: This Act, which goes into effect next week on Wednesday, September 15, calls for a $14 fee to be levied on travelers from 36 nations who enter the U.S.

The 36 nations are those that fall under the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which allows visits to the U.S. of up to 90 days without the necessity of a seeking a visa (for non-work related travel).

Travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries will pay the $14 when they register online for U.S. travel through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. Of the $14 fee, $10 will go toward tourism marketing and $4 will cover the operating costs of registering the travelers for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. read more »

Bahamas Raises Tourist Taxes

(Dive Travel Business News - July 17, 2010) -- On July 1, the airport departure tax in the Bahamas increased to $20 per traveler, up from $15. In addition, the hotel room tax jumped from 6% to 10%.

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism cited the global economic crash and the need to "continue to provide a quality tourism product for visitors" as reasons behind the tax increases.

The tax revenue will support capital improvements such as airports and roads, according to a Ministry of Tourism statement.

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Update: US Aviation Sub-committee Hearing on Airline Add-on Fees

(Dive Travel Business News - July 15, 2010) -- A report released Wednesday by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) indicates that the growing number of airline ancillary fees can be confusing and misleading to consumers and ought to come with better disclosures.

There have been many intended and unintended consequences of the unbundling fees from ticket prices. According to the GAO report: read more »

US Hearing on Hidden Fees Starts Today

U.S. Govt. Hearing on Airlines Hidden Fees Starts Today

(Dive Travel Business News - July 14, 2010) -- A U.S. House of Representatives hearing hosted by the US Transportation and Infrastructure's Subcommittee on Aviation will be held today that focuses on the proliferation and disclosure of ancillary airline fees. The hearing comes about four weeks before the close of a public comment period on a related set of rules proposed by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Among other things, the proposed DOT rules would require carriers to provide GDSs with information about bag fees and optional services fees. Proposed rules also include details on tarmac delay regulations and data, disclosure of customer service plans, consumer problem rectification, oversales and advertising "full" fares.

"The proliferation of ancillary fees over a relatively short period of time has raised concerns over the costs and transparency of such fees," according to the subcommittee. "Often, consumers are not entirely aware of the range of fees that they may encounter in the ticket booking process, at check-in and at the gate." read more »

Travel Pros Must Comply with Secure Flight Rules

Travel Pros must follow secure flight rules

(Dive Travel Business News - July 7, 2010) -- A couple of airlines are warning travel agents that passenger name records (PNR's) could be cancelled or agencies debited if they fail to properly submit the appropriate data for the U.S. Transportation Security Administration's Secure Flight program, the American Society of Travel Agents alerted members in a dispatch this week.

US Airways warned agents this week that beginning Nov. 1, "ticketed PNRs that do not contain proper Secure Flight data within 72 hours of departure may be cancelled," following an earlier warning from Continental Airlines, which said it could debit agencies for failing to submit Secure Flight data.

The TSA has been collecting Secure Flight data elements, including gender and date of birth, since August of last year, it said beginning Nov. 1, 2010, "TSA has threatened to return all non-compliant records to the airlines for follow-up," regardless of where the booking originated. read more »

Are Your Clients Budgeting for Travel?

Mint.com helps clients find money for dive trips.

(Dive Travel Business News - July 8, 2010) -- Are your clients having difficulty committing to an upcoming group dive trip because of budgeting issues? Voted "Best Budgeting Site" by Kiplinger's Magazine and a "Top Pick" by Money Magazine, Mint.com has been helping spenders big and small set goals for their personal and household needs since 2007. In June, it launched a new tool to help travelers set a vacation goal and then save for it.

First, travelers establish how much they think their trip will cost. As a travel professional, you can start them off with package prices, air fare costs and daily spending estimates for their next dream vacation.

Then with a new tool, Mint Goals, helps Mint users figure out how much they need to save every month to make their vacation goal by the travel deadline. Or, they can tell Mint how much they can save each month, and Mint lets them know when you can reasonably expect to be on that plane headed for their favorite dive destination. read more »

Finding Hotel's Hidden Fees

(Dive Travel Business News - April 10, 2010) -- According to accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, hotels charged travelers almost $2 billion in hidden fees and surcharges in 2007. Full disclosure is not the name of the game with hotels and travel websites who are mum about additional fees over and above the room or package rate - until you check out, that is.

Surprise fees blindside our clients and get them upset with us for not warning us upfront. Third party brokers like wholesalers and tour operators may be very careful to outline what's included in a package - yet some of them don't know or don't care to mention what's NOT included in the rate. We all look bad in the eyes of our clients. read more »