Delta’s actually eliminating a fee! (Photo: AP Gouge Photography)
Remember back when everyone used to use the telephone to make airline reservations? That’s no longer the case, but sometimes it can still be extremely helpful to talk to a human being – like when an online search won’t turn up the fare or award flight you want because not all available inventory is shown there.
That’s why airlines’ imposition of phone reservation fees in recent years has been such an annoyance. But now there’s good news, from Delta Air Lines at least.
The airline said it has eliminated its fees for bookings made over the phone or in person at the airport or other ticketing locations. Delta’s 11-year-old Direct Ticketing Charges were $25 for phone calls and $35 for face-to-face purchases. (Note: The fees did not apply for Medallion Golds, Platinums and Diamonds.)
Sometimes you just need to interact with a human being, right? (Image: Delta)
In its 2015 survey on the most hated travel fees, MileCards.com found that 49 percent of travelers considered airlines’ telephone booking charges to be unreasonable. (The same number called change and cancellation fees unreasonable.)
“United and American also charge $25 phone booking fees, while Southwest Airlines does not. Sensible cost cutting and lower fuel prices are letting airlines give back in some places that are pain points for fliers,” said MileCards.com analyst Brian Karimzad. “A phone fee does nothing to enhance the revenue potential of a flight, like a change or cancellation fee could, and with most people doing basic tasks online, phone fees feel like an unreasonable penalty.”
Now we’ll have to see if Delta’s competitors come to the same conclusion.
When was the last time you called Delta for help with a reservation? Did it work? Please leave your comments below.
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