Carriers must disclose bag fees, but total cost is up in the air

Friday was a victory for airline passengers, but Monday? Not so much.

The Department of Transportation on Friday stood firm on the effective date of new rules (Rules II, in rule-making shorthand) that will require airlines to give passengers a full accounting of their baggage fees. In its explanation of that denial, the DOT noted that airlines and others had said technical issues would make it impossible for them to meet the Jan. 24 deadline; carriers and others requested a one-year extension.

DOT rejected the request, saying, “Carriers have known of the requirements since April 2011 and have already received a five-month extension. Consumers will continue to be confused about their baggage fees until the carriers comply with these new bag rules.” This rule is to go into effect Jan. 24.

Carriers also will be required to disclose in all advertising complete fares, including taxes and fees. They also must give passengers a 24-hour grace period for changing an airline reservation. This rule will go into effect Jan. 26.

“Chalk one up for the little guy,” said Charlie Leocha, of the Consumer Travel Alliance.

On Monday, the news for the little guy wasn’t quite as good. In Rules III, the sequel, the consumer would have been able to see the total cost of an airline ticket, including the fees, taxes and so on that sometimes tack on a considerable amount to the cost of an airline ticket. For consumers, it is the holy grail of cost transparency.

Leocha explained it this way: “This third passenger protection rule would mean someone would be able to say, ‘My wife and two kids and I are traveling from L.A. to Orlando, [Fla.], and we will be carrying on four carry-ons and two checked bags and we would like seat reservations in one row.’ Then the computer systems would tell them how much each would cost, taking into account baggage fees and all.”

It’s not dead, but the DOT has delayed it for more commentary and study, and its effective date could drag into 2013, Leocha said. If there is a change in administrations, the rules could be delayed even more.

Stay tuned.