Consumer Traveler Today: April 24

Consumer Traveler Today: Airline passengers deserve clear, all-inclusive air transportation costs, upfront in the buying process
 
 
Airline passengers deserve clear, all-inclusive air transportation costs, upfront in the buying process
What we’re reading: USAir stops talks with United, UAL now looks at Continental, Ryanair backs down over passenger rights
DOT denies requests for waiver of tarmac-delay rule
US Airways announces end to United merger talks. Is Continental in the wings?
Environmental bureaucracy squashes environmental benefits
Airline club memberships? Upgrade cards? Are they worth it?
Airline passengers deserve clear, all-inclusive air transportation costs, upfront in the buying process
Posted: 23 Apr 2010 04:43 AM PDT
One of the central struggles in the Senate/House conference committee negotiations on the FAA Reauthorization bill is clarity and transparency of airfares. In the European Union, the same transparency of airfares and fees is already mandatory. It is time that airline passengers get the same total price information here as home that European lawmakers require from our airlines overseas.
       

What we’re reading: USAir stops talks with United, UAL now looks at Continental, Ryanair backs down over passenger rights
Posted: 23 Apr 2010 03:00 AM PDT
US Airways breaks off talks with United, UAL considers merger with Continental, Ryanair backs down over passenger expenses
       

DOT denies requests for waiver of tarmac-delay rule
Posted: 22 Apr 2010 01:18 PM PDT
(From a DOT Press Release) The U.S. Department of Transportation today denied the requests of five airlines for a temporary exemption from the new rule limiting tarmac delays. As a result, all U.S. carrier flights covered by the rule will be subject to its terms effective April 29. “Passengers on flights delayed on the tarmac have [...]
       

US Airways announces end to United merger talks. Is Continental in the wings?
Posted: 22 Apr 2010 10:59 AM PDT
Though neither United nor US Airways ever announced that they were in merger talk, rumors have been flying for weeks. It appears that the rumors were true. Now US Airways says their board of directors has decided to break off talks. But, there's more.
       

Environmental bureaucracy squashes environmental benefits
Posted: 22 Apr 2010 09:40 AM PDT
Today is Earth Day. A day to focus on the environment. It has been 40 years since the Congress passed and the President signed the National Environmental Policy Act. This act mandated that as a nation, we study before we act; that we weigh actions against impact on our environment. Ironically, these laws are standing in the way of helping the environment.
       

Airline club memberships? Upgrade cards? Are they worth it?
Posted: 22 Apr 2010 06:30 AM PDT
Janice takes a look at travel options like the Red Carpet Club or the Economy Plus Annual Pass. Are they a good deal? The answer might surprise you and need to be asked about similar programs offered by other airlines.