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| Published: | 2014-May-31 |
| Last Updated: | 2014-May-31 |
| Principal Writer: | Barry Shatzman |
 | Understanding The Issue |
| Issue Status |
 | Analysis and Perspectives |
| What You Can Do |
| More Information |
Transparent Airfares Act
2014 (HR-4156)
We gotta ask...
DID YOU JUST LEARN SOMETHING?
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Why we don't like the Transparent Airfare Act
Lobby99 did not see how the Transparent Airfares Act would have benefited consumers in any way. Here is what would have changed under the bill and how it might have affected you.
| Without this bill: | Airlines must advertise the total cost of a ticket - including government taxes and fees. |
| With this bill: | Airlines would be allowed to advertise just the base cost of a ticket. and separately list government taxes and fees. |
We can speculate that this might have given airlines the ability to increase fares, because they would have been able to advertise a higher price that remains acceptable to you - even though it would not include taxes and fees that you still would need to pay. Click on the image at the top right for an example of how it might work.
On the other hand, we saw no benefit to consumers...
o Because airline tickets are exempt from state sales taxes and they affect every airline the same way, the bill would have had no impact on comparing prices between airlines.
o One way or another, the price you're going to pay is the full price. The only visible difference is that - if this bill had become law - you might not find out that total price until you are ready to pay for it.
o You already can find out how the total price is broken down, so the law would have provided you with no new information.
o One way or another, the price you're going to pay is the full price. The only visible difference is that - if this bill had become law - you might not find out that total price until you are ready to pay for it.
o You already can find out how the total price is broken down, so the law would have provided you with no new information.
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