Frontier Airlines said it should not charge customers a fee to vary their flights, siding with larger competitors because the Biden administration imposes stricter rules on so-called “junk fees.”
The change is a component of an overhaul announced Friday of the budget airline's long-standing pricing model, which lures customers within the door with conspicuously low base fares but charges a fee for every little thing else, similar to seat assignments and carry-on luggage. This model is shared by other discounters Spirit Airlines.
Frontier said it should begin offering packages that include a few of these add-ons, including things like early boarding. While some fares still allow travelers so as to add a la carte options, “we expect this option will be limited to a minority of customers,” Frontier CEO Barry Biffle told CNBC.
A brand new “economy” package with carry-on baggage and seat task starts at $30 greater than the bottom fare, while a “premium” package that provides those perks plus early boarding costs $50 greater than the bottom fare. For at the very least $100 greater than a base fare, travelers on the “Business” package also can check two bags and get a seat on the front of the plane with extra space.
Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a final rule requiring airlines to notify customers upfront of fees, including checked baggage or carry-on baggage fees. This change would save travelers greater than half a billion dollars per 12 months, based on the DOT.
According to the airline's website, Frontier currently charges as much as $99 for flight changes if the change occurs inside every week of travel. Bigger competitors delta, American And United Elimination of change fees throughout the Covid-19 pandemic for travelers booked in standard economy class and above. Southwest Airlines doesn’t charge customers any fees for rebooking their tickets.
“The truth is the big four [U.S. airlines] “All of them don’t charge change fees for most of their products, so we weren’t as desirable,” Biffle said. He said change fees are a “most common complaint” from travelers. Travelers who purchase the most cost effective option on Frontier will still need to pay to vary their flights.
Frontier also said that flight credits could be valid for 12 months (as a substitute of three months), starting with tickets issued on Friday, and that there could be a live return for travelers flying inside 24 hours or for elite members of its frequent flyer program -I’ll introduce telephone support.
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