The new way airlines are charging hidden fees – by using flight ‘bundling’ --[Reported by Umva mag]

FORGET seat reservations and luggage fees – passengers are now being stung by ‘bundled fees’. Most holidaymakers are aware of the extra costs that come with booking flights, especially with budget airlines. SplashAirlines are introducing bundles to include all of the hidden fees in one go[/caption] AlamyAlong with seat reservations, some bundles include lounge access, food and even travel insurance[/caption] This can be both good and bad – it can mean extremely cheap flights, with the lowest on offer being with Ryanair for £14.99 between the UK and Europe. But it also means your cheap tickets can become more than double the price if you want a certain seat and checked luggage. And airlines are now going one further by offering ‘bundles’ of these extra perks – but may not be saving you money. Airline consultant John Strickland told the Telegraph: “One of the current trends is ‘bundling’. “[This is where] where airlines package together different perks – seat choice, extra baggage, speedy check-in – for a single price.” This makes it easier to add on everything you might want to include, but might come at a price. A previous study found that Ryanair passengers has as many a 32 different prices for a flight, depending on what extra perks were being added. Along with seats, baggage and check in, it can also include car hire, travel insurance and airport fast track. For example, Ryanair offer five ‘fare bundle options’. This includes the cheapest Basic Fare, along with Regular Fare, Fare Plus and Family Plus, to Flexi Plus. Wizz Air are similar, with their cheapest Base Fare, going up to Wizz Go, Wizz Plus and Wizz Smart. Some airlines are even offering carbon offsetting or charity donations at the check out. However, unless you want all of the bundle inclusions, this is unlikely to save you money. The cheapest Ryanair luggage fees are £6, while seats are as little as £4.50. Bundles can easily be double this, as they include extras like Priority Boarding. According to NerdWallet, the best way to avoid this is to do a direct side-by-side comparison, rather than assume it is saving you money. And if opting for a bundle, check the difference between the top option and middle option. This is because of a bias called “compromise effect” which sees consumers often go for the middle option, rather than cheapest or most expensive. Some airlines have introduced new bundles too. American Spirit Airlines introduced its Go Big package this summer, which includes priority check in, bigger seats, a checked and carry on bag, as well as snacks, drinks and WiFi. Another study found that travellers are getting angrier, and hidden fees could be to blame. Luggage Rules for Major Airlines British Airways Cabin Baggage: 1 cabin bag (max 56 x 45 x 25 cm) and 1 personal item (max 40 x 30 x 15 cm), total weight up to 23 kg. Checked Baggage: Economy allows 1 bag up to 23 kg. Premium Economy, Business, and First Class allow more. EasyJet Cabin Baggage: 1 small cabin bag (max 45 x 36 x 20 cm), no weight limit but must fit under the seat. Checked Baggage: Fees apply, up to 23 kg per bag. Passengers can pay for additional weight up to 32 kg. Ryanair Cabin Baggage: 1 small bag (max 40 x 20 x 25 cm). Priority boarding allows an additional larger cabin bag (max 55 x 40 x 20 cm, up to 10 kg). Checked Baggage: Fees apply, options for 10 kg or 20 kg bags. Virgin Atlantic Cabin Baggage: Economy and Premium allow 1 cabin bag (max 56 x 36 x 23 cm, up to 10 kg). Upper Class allows 2 bags. Checked Baggage: Economy Light has no checked baggage. Economy Classic, Delight, and Premium allow at least 1 bag up to 23 kg. Upper Class allows 2 bags. Emirates Cabin Baggage: Economy allows 1 bag (max 55 x 38 x 20 cm, up to 7 kg). Business and First Class allow 2 bags (total up to 12 kg). Checked Baggage: Economy Class varies by fare type (from 20 kg to 35 kg). Business and First Class allow up to 40 kg and 50 kg respectively. Beth Walter, a business communication professor from Carnegie Mellon University, told the Seattle Times: “A big factor in consumers losing their tempers is the feeling that they are getting nickel and dimed at every turn. “No one likes hidden fees, and if they pop up during trips they can easily trigger the temper of a stressed-out, exhausted traveller who has been preparing for their summer vacation since last year and is expecting that everything goes according to plan.” GettyIf you just want luggage, it may not be worth the money to buy a bundle[/caption]

FORGET seat reservations and luggage fees – passengers are now being stung by ‘bundled fees’.

Most holidaymakers are aware of the extra costs that come with booking flights, especially with budget airlines.

Splash

Airlines are introducing bundles to include all of the hidden fees in one go[/caption]

Alamy

Along with seat reservations, some bundles include lounge access, food and even travel insurance[/caption]

This can be both good and bad – it can mean extremely cheap flights, with the lowest on offer being with Ryanair for £14.99 between the UK and Europe.

But it also means your cheap tickets can become more than double the price if you want a certain seat and checked luggage.

And airlines are now going one further by offering ‘bundles’ of these extra perks – but may not be saving you money.

Airline consultant John Strickland told the Telegraph: “One of the current trends is ‘bundling’.

“[This is where] where airlines package together different perks – seat choice, extra baggage, speedy check-in – for a single price.”

This makes it easier to add on everything you might want to include, but might come at a price.

A previous study found that Ryanair passengers has as many a 32 different prices for a flight, depending on what extra perks were being added.

Along with seats, baggage and check in, it can also include car hire, travel insurance and airport fast track.

For example, Ryanair offer five ‘fare bundle options’.

This includes the cheapest Basic Fare, along with Regular Fare, Fare Plus and Family Plus, to Flexi Plus.

Wizz Air are similar, with their cheapest Base Fare, going up to Wizz Go, Wizz Plus and Wizz Smart.

Some airlines are even offering carbon offsetting or charity donations at the check out.

However, unless you want all of the bundle inclusions, this is unlikely to save you money.

The cheapest Ryanair luggage fees are £6, while seats are as little as £4.50.

Bundles can easily be double this, as they include extras like Priority Boarding.

According to NerdWallet, the best way to avoid this is to do a direct side-by-side comparison, rather than assume it is saving you money.

And if opting for a bundle, check the difference between the top option and middle option.

This is because of a bias called “compromise effect” which sees consumers often go for the middle option, rather than cheapest or most expensive.

Some airlines have introduced new bundles too.

American Spirit Airlines introduced its Go Big package this summer, which includes priority check in, bigger seats, a checked and carry on bag, as well as snacks, drinks and WiFi.

Another study found that travellers are getting angrier, and hidden fees could be to blame.

Luggage Rules for Major Airlines

British Airways

• Cabin Baggage: 1 cabin bag (max 56 x 45 x 25 cm) and 1 personal item (max 40 x 30 x 15 cm), total weight up to 23 kg.
• Checked Baggage: Economy allows 1 bag up to 23 kg. Premium Economy, Business, and First Class allow more.

EasyJet

• Cabin Baggage: 1 small cabin bag (max 45 x 36 x 20 cm), no weight limit but must fit under the seat.
• Checked Baggage: Fees apply, up to 23 kg per bag. Passengers can pay for additional weight up to 32 kg.

Ryanair

• Cabin Baggage: 1 small bag (max 40 x 20 x 25 cm). Priority boarding allows an additional larger cabin bag (max 55 x 40 x 20 cm, up to 10 kg).
• Checked Baggage: Fees apply, options for 10 kg or 20 kg bags.

Virgin Atlantic

• Cabin Baggage: Economy and Premium allow 1 cabin bag (max 56 x 36 x 23 cm, up to 10 kg). Upper Class allows 2 bags.
• Checked Baggage: Economy Light has no checked baggage. Economy Classic, Delight, and Premium allow at least 1 bag up to 23 kg. Upper Class allows 2 bags.

Emirates

• Cabin Baggage: Economy allows 1 bag (max 55 x 38 x 20 cm, up to 7 kg). Business and First Class allow 2 bags (total up to 12 kg).
• Checked Baggage: Economy Class varies by fare type (from 20 kg to 35 kg). Business and First Class allow up to 40 kg and 50 kg respectively.

Beth Walter, a business communication professor from Carnegie Mellon University, told the Seattle Times: “A big factor in consumers losing their tempers is the feeling that they are getting nickel and dimed at every turn.

“No one likes hidden fees, and if they pop up during trips they can easily trigger the temper of a stressed-out, exhausted traveller who has been preparing for their summer vacation since last year and is expecting that everything goes according to plan.”

Getty

If you just want luggage, it may not be worth the money to buy a bundle[/caption]

The following news has been carefully analyzed, curated, and compiled by Umva Mag from a diverse range of people, sources, and reputable platforms. Our editorial team strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information we provide. By combining insights from multiple perspectives, we aim to offer a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of the events and stories that shape our world. Umva Mag values transparency, accountability, and journalistic integrity, ensuring that each piece of content is delivered with the utmost professionalism.

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