Airlines. They make money off the fact that people want to fly around. Yet, unlike other industries, which reward their most loyal and constant customers, you actually have to pay MORE for each ticket if you travel a lot.
Tickets are always far less expensive if you buy them in advance, however, in order to buy them in advance, you need to know where you will be at a specific time. Unfortunately, the people who travel a lot tend to not know where they will be at any given time, hence they have no ability to buy far in advance, hence they end up paying more! Very frustrating.
It’s a painful truth that’s going to hurt a lot more in times to come….
Cheers,
Quirky Indian
http://quirkyindian.wordpress.com
This complaint could also be levied against train companies in the UK. Travelling with First Great Western during peak travel times (rush-hour) from Oxford to London and back costs pennies short of £50.00! £50.00 for a 50-mile return journey (100 miles total). Now’s that robbery, especially when considering that the cost for off-peak travel is closer to £25.00!
I wonder what a similiar journey would cost in the US or in India.
Liam, I don’t want to ruin the rest of your day, but a 1385 km journey, first class, Mumbai to Delhi will cost you about GBP40. In comfort, catering included.
Equivalent short-distance (within 100 kms) commuter travel will cost you inside of GBP10 for a return journey. Of course, you’ll be packed like sardines in the train….
Cheers,
Quirky Indian
http://quirkyindian.wordpress.com
@Quirky Indian,
I am afraid to convert the 1385km into miles as I fear I’ll blow a gasket if I do!
I agree with the whole sky-way robbery. I just bought my ticket for Ireland and was happy that the airlines took of the fuel surcharge during their two day sale. That sale took off over a hundred dollars on the total price which was still over three hundred dollars. I think if they makes us help pay for fuel we should at least be offered a chance to fly the plane. It would be no different if you took a road trip in a car. Everyone chips in for gas, and everyone takes turns driving. Granted there are a lot of people I would not be comfortable with flying a plane I am a passenger on.
@ bridget
Thanks for the visit and comment.
Fuel surcharges certainly are tremendous, and only likely to get more expensive. Though I travel a lot on an expense account and therefore am not as sensitive to the increasing flight costs, I do wonder when the breaking point will come as number of people able to afford flights will drop and the prices continue to rise and eventually all profitability is gone from the industry.
I can’t decide if I like that the airlines breaks down their charges for each item (service, luggage, fuel, etc) or if I wish they’d just tell me the total and leave it at that. In some ways I think it is nice to know what you’re paying for, but at the same time it gives you the feeling that you are being nickel and dimed.