Airlines Add New 'Peak Travel' Fare Hike for Summer Flights

ROGER...IF YOU HAVE THE INFO WE NEED TO MEET...WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED AND SEND ME AN EM ADDRESS

While I don't mind the airlines skirting federal taxes, which they are doing so airports and security don't get their cut of the money, I wish they would just call this what it is - a rate hike.
Busy days already cost more, buying a ticket at the last minute already costs more and just showing up at the airport nowadays now costs more.
Now, the peak travel fees means we have to pay extra when service is at its lowest, lines are at their longest and the general demeanor of all the people we're paying to help us on our journey will be at their meanest.
If you've got to fly, and sometimes there's no choice, what choice do you have but to pay the fee?
My guess is the airlines probably know this: Go Southwest and Alaskan Airlines.

I used to fly 8-10 times a year. Now it's down to maybe once. I despise back door upselling. They may get $20-$30 once, but they're losing $3,000 - $4,000 a year in fares. I'd rather drive than go through all the increased sucker fees. Beyond the money, the hassles of flying - crowds, flight delays and etc, make flying no longer and enjoyable experience. Bag fees, pillow fees, blanket fees, counter fees, seat fees, peak fees coupled with decreased service - you boys can fly without me. I have the money, but you've made it impossible for the average family to go anywhere.

We are DRIVING to Florida next week. Mother/father/two kids. With the new higher fares, cost to fly was $1,200 for family of four. Rental car was $250. Baggage fees of $140.

Driving cost is $300 round trip and we have total flexibility about where we stay, what we do, how long we stay and more money to PLAY. It's a 14-hour drive, with stops at water parks, amusement parks, hotel one night which the kids love, etc.

Last year we flew. We had to be at airport 2 hours ahead, the plane was 2 1/2 hours LATE leaving, we had to wait in line for rental car about 1/2 hour, another 1/2 hour to return it, another 2 hours ahead of time to return. That's 7 1/2 hours out of our 14-hour trip.

We don't mind SAVING all that time and all that money to DRIVE. We are DONE flying except for vacations where we can not drive like Caribbean.
Plan to DRIVE; it's way more fun, less hassle, and way less expensive. You might have to take a couple of extra vacation days, but it's worth it.

Oh please...if $40-$50 is make a big difference to you,then you shouldn't be traveling...

I have the information you are seeking

This is getting disgusting. As each that year goes by I'm really starting to hate the airlines more and more. They have completely turned something that used to be exciting and fun into just about the biggest hassle the American people deal with except for taxes. There are few experiences we deal with in order to just accomplish an ordinary task in our lives that has become more unpleasant. It's HORRIBLE anymore. Not only do they make the actual day of flying a nightmare usually, but we're stuck dealing with numerous of grouchy, unhappy, unpleasant flight attendants while spending HOURS,(sometimes even close to 24), trapped and confined in this tin can with no say-so about our personal lives and actions during this time period. And on top of all that, the last 6 to 7 years they have found more ways to tack on fees and expenses than Reagan had jelly beans. I agree with one of the other commenters, just set a price to fly and STOP telling us it's for this fee or that fee. I can give the airlines a very good piece of advice: PEOPLE DO NOT LIKE BEING NICKEL AND DIMED TO DEATH! The flying public would gripe an awful lot less if the airlines just set a fee and said that's what the cost of the ticket is and be done with it. And to be honest, after I pay several hundred dollars for a ticket, I would be VERY willing to pay a measly $5 or even $10 more if I could actually be served some real food. What different will little bit make after forking out the rest of it anyway? Just set a rate you need to move me efficiently and pleasantly through security, get the plane boarded in a decent time frame and NOT be sitting on a tarmack for HOURS. Ever want to see a "kanipshinfit"? Trap me on a plane for hours and won't let me off and you'll have quite a show for You Tube the next day. With this adequate amount of money you need to charge then give me a pillow if I want one and a blanket if I'm unable to bring my own. Give me food and drink and let me feel comfortable. Let me go to the closest lavatory that's clean and not TOO smelly, land the plane safely and finally, do NOT lose my luggage. That's all, is that asking too much? Most airlines seem to think so anymore. Oh, and is some smiling helpful faces too much too ask? 16 years ago when my grandmother died very unexpectedly and suddendly 3,000 miles away the airlines couldn't have been nicer in working with to get urgent flights. During the day, before, during and after the flights, my parents couldn't have been treated any nicer had they been royalty. But those days are long gone. No longer are passengers treated as people, now, passengers are just paying cattle that bring in the cashflow and don't worry about how they feel or are they comfortable. The days of being comfortable while flying are LONG gone. The last time my father flew he was in physical pain he was that uncomfortable, but did anyone care, nope. His flight was so miserable for him that trip that I was seriously concerned for his heart and his diabetes levels and him having a health crisis before I got him to our destination. We asked the flight attendants for some help. Did they do anything to help his situation? Not a damn thing. We found a new airline for the trip home. Customers have VERY long memories. One thing the airlines have never discovered is that the best advertisement in the world is a satisfied and happy customer. No amount of money can buy good advertisement like that. And on the flip side, an unhappy customer can also be your worst nightmare. A customer doesn't always have to be right, they just have to go away satisfied. I wonder how many satisfied customers walk away from airports today? Maybe airline bonusus should be based on surveys passengers fill out at the end of each flight. Anyone else agree with me? Boy I bet we would get service with a smile then! So don't tell me what the money is for, just do it. Just charge me what needs to be done and get over it. Don't abuse the price, and don't try to scam me. We all know that airlines need to make at least a little profit, but don't get greedy and abusive about it and we'll all get along fine. And I have a feeling the overwhelming number of people in that plane with me, will feel the same. Our problem is, even though there is a selection of airlines, to a certain degree it's still a monopoly. They can get away with all the things they do because they know people will still fly and put up with it. If we want a better world in the air, then we need to make them feel it. For one year, instead of flying, drive your car or even better, go by train. I LOVE train travel. Sure, it takes a little longer. But it's such a NICE way to travel. I've actually traveled cross country on Amtrak. Lovely trip. My dad, that disgruntled flyer who was treated so shabby by the airlines, now travels most places by train. My parents have cross the country at least a dozen times by rail. Want a great start to a honeymoon? Start yo

Same as local and state governments do. Meaning they don't increase taxes they just create or increase "fees".

Throw them all out regardless of party

The Peak Travel Fee is for the birds. We already pay premium prices for travel during the holidays (about twice the normal amount). Isn't that enough of a Peak Travel fee? And now they're adding more money during the summer. Give me a break. I think I'd rather drive to my vacation destination. At least I won't have to shell our for a rental.

The airlines really know how to price gouge. At this rate, including high fares, no meals, charging at least $25 each way to check a bag, the inconvenience of the security checks, and now "peak fees"....well, dont be surprised, you CEO's when your airlines fail. We are tired of all these costs being passed on to us as consumers.