Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Travel Advocacy Groups Fight 'Ridiculous' Airline Fees

The Forbid Airlines from Imposing Ridiculous (FAIR) Fees Act would prohibit airlines from charging cancellation, baggage, or other ancillary fees that are “unreasonable” under standards set by the Department of Transportation.

by Staff
April 6, 2016
Travel Advocacy Groups Fight 'Ridiculous' Airline Fees

Photo via Jonathan Cohen/Flickr.

2 min to read


Photo via Jonathan Cohen/Flickr.

Several travel advocacy organizations — including the Business Travel Coalition, Consumer Federation of America, and National Consumer League — wrote a letter asking Sens. Mitch McConnell and Harry Reid to support the inclusion of the Forbid Airlines from Imposing Ridiculous (FAIR) Fees Act as an amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016.

Sponsored by Sens. Ed Markey and Richard Blumenthal, the FAIR Fees Act would prohibit airlines from charging cancellation, baggage, or other ancillary fees that are “unreasonable or disproportional to the costs incurred by the air carrier,” under standards set by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

Ad Loading...

The FAIR Fees Act doesn’t look to re-regulate the airlines, but it serves to remedy a systemic violation of the free market system that has been pointed out by both the DOT and the Department of Justice (DOJ), according to the letter.

In 2015, U.S. airlines collected $10.8 billion in ancillary fees, an increase of 24% since 2014, according to a survey by IdeasWorksCompany.

These add-on fees have generated more complaints among consumers. From 2014 to 2015, consumer complaints to the DOT increased by 30%, according to the DOT. And complaints about airline fares are the fastest-growing category of complaints to the DOT (97.93% year-over-year increase), according to the DOT’s Air Travel Consumer Report from February 2016.

“The FAA Reauthorization Act is an important opportunity for you and your Senate colleagues to protect the millions of consumers who depend on the airline industry to provide an affordable, dependable, and safe travel experience,” the letter stated. “The FAIR Fees Act would do much to help reign in the industry’s increasing reliance on ancillary fees, which are unfairly squeezing the pocketbooks of the flying public. We urge you to support this common sense, pro-consumer bill.”


More Rental Operations

an exotic car wrapped in an insurance policy
Rental Operations•October 1, 2026

The $100,000 Insurance Trap in Exotic Car Rentals

Exotic rental agencies often rely on customers’ personal auto policies to protect six-figure vehicles. But policy language can dramatically change the coverage for vehicles over $100,000 MSRP.

Read More →
globe of world and drivers license from UK
Rental Operations•September 28, 2026

The Booking Is Confirmed, But Is Your Customer Ready to Drive?

For international renters, a confirmed reservation doesn’t always mean they’re eligible to drive. Earlier checks can help operators catch documentation and payment issues before the customer reaches the counter.

Read More →
Scenes from Car Rental Shows past
Rental Operations•by Staff•September 23, 2026

ICRS 2027 Opens Call for Papers

The International Car Rental Show seeks session proposals on the business, operational, and technology issues facing car rental operators. Submissions are due Jan. 15.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
hand holding phone and Turo logo
Rental Operations•by Staff•September 21, 2026

Turo to Launch Vehicle Delivery Service

Turo Delivered will let travelers search for vehicles that hosts can deliver directly to hotels, homes, airports, train stations, and other locations.

Read More →
plane, palm trees, car rental sign
Rental Operations•by Chris Brown•September 15, 2026

Palm Beach Airport Code Change Creates Car Rental Distribution Gap

A test of rental searches under the old PBI and new DJT airport codes returned largely different sets of brands and vehicles, highlighting a potential distribution problem for rental operators.

Read More →
Team members of U-Save's new franchise
Rental Operations•by Staff•September 15, 2026

U-Save Continues Dominican Republic Expansion with Launch in Punta Cana

The new franchise location builds on U-Save’s existing Santo Domingo operation and will begin taking reservations for October 2026.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A traveler searches for rental cars with an AI bot
Rental Operations•September 14, 2026

When AI Books the Rental Car, Who Controls the Sale?

As AI moves from comparing rental rates to completing transactions, operators need to understand how travelers find, interpret, rank, and ultimately see their offers. (Part 2 of 2.)

Read More →
map of europe and summer car rental rates
Rental Operations•September 11, 2026

European Booked Car Rental Rates Fell 5%, Results Varied by Country

Ireland, Cyprus, and the United Kingdom saw steep declines, while booked rates rose in Poland and Hungary.

Read More →
thumbnail of Chris Brown and Mike DeLorenzo with title Time to Rethink Rental Categories?
Rental Operations•by Chris Brown•September 8, 2026

Is It Time to Rethink Rental Categories?

As traditional economy and compact cars disappear from the market, longtime rental operator Mike DeLorenzo asks whether the industry’s familiar vehicle categories still make sense — and what operators need to rethink along with them.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Woman receiving car rental rates on computer from AI agent
Rental Operations•September 1, 2026

Who Owns the Rate? AI Is Creating a New Distribution Problem for Car Rental

Generative Engine Optimization asks whether AI can find a rental company, but operators also need to know whether the agent inspected enough of the market, compared equivalent offers, and presented a rate the traveler can actually book. (Part 1 of 2)

Read More →
Ad Loading...