Oil closes in on $50 a barrel — is it time to hedge?
I’m no economist, but it seems to me that with the price of crude oil approaching $50 a barrel, this might be a good time for airlines and cruise lines to hedge their fuel purchases.
Delta/Northwest reduces award ticket fuel surcharge
Just when you thought that fuel surcharges are here to stay, Delta/Northwest has decided to drop fuel surchages on award tickets. The change may be retroactive, meaning that if you booked a ticket prior to this rule being instituted, you can call and they may refund the fuel fee.
Oh, sh#t! The barbarians are at the gate and they’re demanding a refund
Like a horde of barbarians at the gate, a crowd of angry travelers is gathering at the travel industry’s front door. They want a partial refund for their vacation. We should probably give it to them. Here’s why.
Senator urges airlines to roll back fuel charges
Our own Christopher Elliott posted an entry about how airlines should lower fuel surcharges now that fuel prices have gone down. Apparently, he’s not the only one that feels that way.
With oil at $75 a barrel, another airline lowers its fuel surcharge
Another airline is lowering its unpopular fuel surcharge. Lufthansa announced this morning it will reduce its energy fee by $3 to $100, depending on the route. The move follows several unofficial fuel surcharge reductions we reported earlier today.
Memo to airlines: stop whining about “high” fuel prices
The airline industry continues to whine about the high cost of fuel. Too bad no one is listening. Here’s why.
What are the greediest U.S. airlines? Here’s a helpful guide
Even though fuel costs are falling faster than a plane without wings, the airline industry continues to ratchet up fees on its passengers. Unbelievably, it insists it’s because of “high” — or for that matter “volatile” — energy costs. Do they think we’re stupid?
Cruise passengers battered by unethical surcharges
Cruise lines are taking a hard line when it comes to fuel surcharges. Consider the recent case of Ron and Gwenda Bennett, who paid a £900 deposit on a £9,000 Mediterranean cruise but were told by the travel company that a surcharge was also due.
Renting a car? Look out for gas thieves
With gas prices pushing $5 a gallon in some parts of the country, it was only a matter of time before gas thieves became a problem. And they have — particularly for people who rent cars and trucks.
Fuel surchage madness: the 5 most ridiculous airfares
If you think airlines are using high fuel costs as an excuse to jack up their prices without bothering to tell anyone — well, you’re right. As a travel agent, I see airlines trying to double their fares with clever energy surcharges every day. Here are five examples.