Airline Seat Sales Don't Always Bring Real Bargains

[Gambitt]

Airline Seat Sales Don't Always Bring Real Bargains
Thursday July 3, 2008
CityNews.ca Staff

Here are two words that sound like oxymorons: "airline bargains." But believe it or not, Canada's two biggest carriers - Air Canada and WestJet - both insist they have major deals to throw your way as they struggle mightily with higher gas prices, declining revenues and passengers reluctant to fork over the bucks for a flight to a place they can no longer afford to reach.

Some examples? Air Canada's Tango airline is offering a trip from Pearson to New York for $99. You can reach San Francisco for just $172. You can fly to Tokyo from here for just $349. And a flight to London will set you back just $325.

WestJet is also getting into the summer travel game. They'll take you to Halifax for $139, send you to Vancouver for $220 or let you celebrate Quebec City's 400th birthday for the low fee of $112.

Even newcomer Porter Airlines has gotten into the act, although it only serves just a few destinations. Its journey from the Island terminal to Halifax is only $99.

Sounds too good to be true? The prices are right but are they what they seem to be? Kris Reyes examines the hidden fees behind the advertising and what you might want to consider before booking that supposedly cheap flight for a summer getaway. You can see her story - for free - on CityNews at Five and Six.

Until then, here are just some of the pitfalls to watch out for. (All prices are in Cdn. dollars)

One Way Only

If getting there is half the fun, getting back isn't always quite so joyful. Nearly all these deals are one way only and you'll have to dole out extra money to come back. Some low-cut airlines offer you the bargain rate going and force you to pay the regular fares to come back.

Taxes Not Included

The seat sale prices never include taxes, and there's no shortage of them. There's the GST of course, which automatically adds five per cent to the cost of whatever the lower rate is. There's the air travellers security fee, another government expense that tacks on between $7 to $10 more if you're flying within Canada. Cross the border to the south and it's an extra $16. Go overseas and pay $17.

And depending on where you're heading, there are other unexpected charges. The U.K. government gets about $25 for something called a 'passenger service charge.' Duty is another $41. And the U.S. charges passengers an arrival and departure tax that amounts to $29.

NAV Canada

Did you know you've got to help the airlines pay money to Nav Canada, the federal government organization that operates the country's air navigation system? It runs between $9 and $20 depending on where you're going here and shrinks to $7.50 if you're headed to the U.S.

Airport Improvement Fees

You may not notice it, but they've spruced up the airport - and you're paying for the upgrade. Pearson is one of the most expensive in Canada, forcing you to cough up $20 if you're leaving from here or $8 if you're just connecting to another flight. The highest rate in all of Canada: Bathurst, New Brunswick, where passengers put out $40 to help keep the terminal looking spiffy and up-to-date.

The government lists some sample charges here.

Airline Charges

Now the fun really begins. Airlines have made almost an art form of adding fees you've never heard of for services you didn't want and aren't even sure you're receiving. Take something called 'insurance' fees, imposed to cover the "high cost of aviation insurance," as Air Canada explains it. That airline charges you $3 per passenger each way. WestJet's insurance amount is up to about $6, but all the charges are variable.

Air Canada also boasts a $25 Aeroplan booking fee you might not have seen coming.

Then there's a relatively new fee for checking a second bag - and depending on which airline you're taking, they could ding you for the first piece of luggage, too. Not all airlines do it, but more are joining the fold all the time.

And unless it's included in the original ticket price, if you want to eat or drink anything on a long flight, be prepared to shell out gourmet prices for not-so-gourmet meals. One passenger coming back from Vancouver on a fight from overseas was asked to pay about $3-4 for a small can of potato chips. She declined the offer.

Fuel Surcharge

This is the new big one, as carriers try to deal with the same thing putting a hole in your wallet - high gas prices. Air Canada charges between $20-$120 depending on how far you're going.

Air Canada offers an explanation of airline fees here

Conditions apply

This may not cost you money, just time. Pay attention to the fine print. Some of the special rates require you to leave at 4am on a Tuesday and come back at 6 in the morning the following Thursday. Depending on your final destination, you may be forced to put down at an out-of-the-way airport, putting an extra cab ride on your tab.

And the booking dates are often limited. Reserve your flight before a certain day or you won't get it. And go for the cut rate deal and there's no guarantee you and your family will actually sit together on the flight or get a window seat.