According to a new proposal by the U.S. Department of Transportation, airlines will be required to pay back the baggage fees if the fliers’ bags are lost or delayed. Federal regulators want passengers to have guaranteed refunds since a majority of the airline companies charge additional fees for checking bags.
The proposal raised objections from the Air Transportation Association, a trade organization that represents the nation’s largest airlines. The major carriers were able collect more than $ 3.1 billion in baggage fees last year.
On Thursday (Mad as Hell Day), the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), Business Travel Coalition (BTC), and Consumer Travel Alliance (CTA) submitted petition signatures from 50 thousand travelers to support DOT Secretary, Ray LaHood’s attempts to Require Airline Fee Transparency.
The airline group is dealing with another government order, which will eventually raise fares to everyone including “customers that do not need or want to check bags.”
Kevin Mitchell, Business Travel Coalition Chairman, stated, “Only two weeks ago, we asked travelers to tell us how they felt about hidden airline fees, and we opened a floodgate.”
He added, “Consumers are clearly mad as hell about fees they can’t see, can’t compare, and can’t predict. There is no excuse for hiding fees from travelers, and we’re pleased that the Department of Transportation is poised to take action to protect consumers in this area.”
There are only a few companies like Alaska Airlines that refunds fees automatically when baggage is delayed or lost. Majority of airline companies will consider a refund on your baggage fee after you file a claim. If you win, the refund usually comes in forms of travel vouchers and discounts for future travel, not cash.