WestJet recently sent out a survey to its readers to look at a list of $10 fees and respond which they were okay paying with. One of them was a $10 fee for not having to sit near screaming babies and small children. The airline also wanted to know if customers would be interested in $10 savings for putting up with or giving up certain things, like savings for not earning frequent flier miles or savings for having a seat that doesn’t recline. Brilliant business move or deceptive fare increase? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
FEE - $10 more for:
- Priority boarding (getting on the plane first)
- Priority disembarking (getting off the plane first)
- Expedited baggage delivery
- Priority rebooking in case of flight cancellation
- Complimentary meals/hotel accommodations when a flight is either cancelled or substantially delayed
- In-flight Internet access
- Guaranteed space in the overhead bin
- In-seat power
- Premium snack/meal offering
- A freshly laundered pillow/blanket set that you may keep after the flight
- An amenity kit with earplugs, eyeshades and toiletries to keep you refreshed on the plane
- A wait of 10 minutes or less to clear security checkpoints
- Sitting away from parents traveling with babies/small children
SAVINGS - $10 off for
- Savings for not checking bags
- Savings for not earning frequent flier miles
- Savings for only bringing aboard one small piece of carry-on baggage (e.g., only a purse or computer bag)
- Savings for being the last to board
- Savings for using online check-in instead of a kiosk
- Savings for using either a kiosk or online check-in instead of a human agent
- Savings for having my checked luggage to be among the last to be delivered
- Savings for sitting in a middle seat
- Savings for making no changes to your ticket prior to departure
- Savings for not getting free water, coffee/tea, juices or soft drinks in flight
- Savings for having a seat that does not recline
- Savings to sit close to parents traveling with babies/small children
How about a $10 savings for helping out fellow sleepy passengers…
Airline considers $10 surcharge for baby-free seating, priority disembarking [ELLIOTT] (Image: Getty)
