Frontier Airlines to add new fees

Fees, fees, and more fees! Frontier Airlines is at it again. In an effort to become an “ultra low cost carrier”, Frontier Airlines is set to introduce new fees yet again.

To kick things off, Frontier has announced that it will start charging customers who book their tickets through third-party sites a $25 to $100 fee for carry-on bags, excluding certain members of its frequent flier program. Yes, you read that correctly. This fee is for carry-on bags. This is an effort to get more people to check their bags to free up overhead space on their planes. The $25 price is for passengers who check into their flights on the airline website. For those who check in at the airport, the fee can be as high as $100. The start date for this carry-on fee has yet to be announced, but should be announced at some point this spring. If that wasn’t enough, Frontier has also announced it will start charging $1.99 for what was once known as a complimentary drink.

As miniscule as it may sound to charge $1.99 for a drink, it is frightening to see the trend of adding so many fees for basic services. Europe’s leading no-frills airline, Ryanair, has already brought up the idea of installing coin-operated toilets and standing seats. That is an extreme case, but it goes to show you the mind-set of the airlines and how they are trying to increase ancillary revenue through increased fees. Don’t be surprised to see other airlines study this move by Frontier and follow suit.

Vegas cabs overcharge passengers $15 million worth in 2012

According to a recent report in the Las Vegas Sun, taxi drivers in Las Vegas overcharged passengers to the tune of almost $15 million last year. A legislative audit discovered that of the 6.6 million rides to and from McCarran Airport, an estimated 23% were “deceptively long”. This deceptive tactic is said to increase the average cab fare by about $10.

The report calls on the Taxicab Authority to take “preventative measures” in order to protect travelers. According to the Las Vegas tourism website, the average taxi fare from the airport to a hotel on the Strip is $11. Anything substantially higher than that may mean you are being taken advantage of.

This is something to keep note of for your next trip to Sin City. Of course, this should not stop anyone from enjoying their trip in Vegas, but should serve as a warning to keep an eye out for it.