How Many Nickels Can You Pull?

In the past few weeks I’ve written about the doom and gloom that appears daily in the news, and about people hiding their true fee in order to post as low a price as possible.

Well it’s in the news again.

JetBlue just announced that they will now be charging $7 for pillows if you so choose. When will other airlines follow suit (in hours I’m sure)?

Airlines are hurting. If you’ve seen any type of news in any type of format, that’s common knowledge. But once again they are hiding the actual cost of flying in “hidden” fees.

JetBlue originally grew because of their service skills. They were customer friendly, and supplied you with all the extras that somehow vanished from the other airlines. Yet now they are following in the footsteps of their rivals.

If I choose to fly, I must pay a fee for my ticket, a processing fee, a booking fee, a baggage fee, food charges, tv/movie charges, and now pillow/blanket charges. What’s next, a charge for the seat?

So my “cheap” $200 ticket can soar by $100 or more by the time all the fees are added up. Why can’t they just charge me the $300 in the first place? I’ll pay that if I choose to fly; why not give it to me all up front and let me decide?

The name of the game right now is to bring in a customer at the lowest possible price. Then once you have them, tack on every charge you can think of. This isn’t just in the airlines - I’m assuming it’s the rationalization for surviving the recession. Bring a client on board for a low price - then start adding up the extras.

Use this to your advantage. Charge one fee, and stick with it. And advertise it that way.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s sick of bringing out my wallet ever step of the way.