That'll Be an Extra $15

[Steve]

It's no secret that on many flights, airline passengers are charged for things that were once free**sodas and in-flight meals, for example**or are not offered certain amenities at all. Hey, where did my tiny pillow go?

Now, beleaguered airline Northwest wants to charge for aisle and exit row seats. You heard right: The airline will save those seats until check-in when they'll be available for those passengers who want to pony up an extra $15. Consider it a tall-person tax.

According to this Reuters article (http://today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=businessNews&storyID=uri:2006-03-14T202756Z_01_N14363358_RTRUKOC_0_US-AIRLINES-FEES.xml&pageNumber=0&summit=), some experts are also predicting the day when passengers will have to pay to check in all bags, not just those over 50 pounds. Will all these extra fees give upstart airlines like JetBlue**which likes to include amenities like satellite TV in the ticket price**the upper hand?

[Steve]

Now how does this apply to your business? Well, how often have we seen discussion about the rise of gas prices and then how the lco would like to charge for estimates.

Remember if your competitors don't charge for estimates, you are going to lose out. Just as Northwest airlines wants to try and squeeze more money from customers by charging $15 for an aisle seat.

On the flip side JetBlue gives it's customers in flight satellite tv in the same ticket price. Now who would you rather fly with? You would go JetBlue.

Before you institute a new fee for something, you might want to think what new service or upgrade you could offer instead. Such as JetBlue offering satellite tv.

Keep thinking!

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