U.S. Senator Charles Schumer Urges Airlines to Lower Change Fees

In the wake of recent changes at Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, U.S. Airways and United Airlines that saw spikes in ticket change fees, U.S. Senator Charles “Chuck” Schumer (D-NY) is demanding that the airlines reverse these increases.

“Families on a budget are already trying to plan their vacations months and months in advance to lock in the lowest rate, and these new fees essentially mean those plans are set in stone, even if work, school, or a family emergency get in the way,” said Schumer.  "With the growth of other fees, flying has already become prohibitively expensive for many, and the airlines, after making billions of dollars in these fees last year, shouldn't pile on. At $200 per change, it makes it all but unaffordable for a family to change their plans by even a day or hour.”

In 2012, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the nation’s airlines collected $2.6 billion in ticket-change fees, which has increased 7.3 percent since 2011. In April, United increased its ticket-change fees to $200 for trips between the U.S. and Canada. It increased some international itineraries from $250 to $300. As expected, American, Delta and U.S. Airways jumped on the bandwagon, jacking up domestic flight change fees from $150 to $200.

Schumer said that, under these new policies, it would cost $1000 for a family of five to change their traveling plans. He said that families are already paying extra fees for baggage, food, and Wi-Fi and that this new policy has brought passengers “to the tipping point.”

http://www.travelpulse.com/us-senator-charles-schumer-urges-airlines-to-lower-change-fees.html