Sunday, May 22, 2005
UPRIGHT AND LOCKED
Oh, Air Canada
Sharon Schaeffer of Rockville bought two tickets on Air Canada for a trip from D.C. to Calgary, with a stop in Toronto. After booking online, she was shocked to see that if she wanted to choose a seat in advance , she'd have to pay an extra $12 per leg per ticket --or $96.
"It's more than interesting. It's obscene," said Schaeffer.
CoGo's initial reaction was similar. But after talking with Air Canada spokesman John Reber, CoGo decided that Air Canada has found a fair way to compete with discount carriers while offering full service for those willing to pay. Charging for advance-seat assignments, Reber said, is part of an overall " transparent pricing strategy."
Every Air Canada flight has a maximum of five prices , and the advantages of each is clearly outlined on a chart at http://www.aircanada.com . If you buy the lowest-priced ticket, called Tango , you pay extra for advance-seat assignments and are charged $30 if you make a change prior to the day of your flight and $150 if you change your ticket the day of your scheduled departure. Plus, you earn frequent-flier miles for only half the miles you fly.
The next step up, Tango Plus , offers free advance-seat assignments, full mileage credit and a lower last-minute change fee. Each subsequent step up adds benefits. (On travel Web sites, you must click "fare conditions" or a similar phrase to find out what your ticket does and doesn't include.)
CoGo likes removing the mystery from why one passenger pays more or less for a ticket, and also likes the fact that the airline has copied the discount carriers by selling one-way tickets . Plus, once you've chosen a date, the Web site shows you the lowest prices available within a week , in case you're flexible. All in all, good strategies.
TERMINAL NEWSBWI Takes Off
Southwest Airlines last week opened its new digs in Concourse A/B at Baltimore Washington International . The $264 million facility initially provides Southwest and its passengers a net gain of three gates.
Southwest's move to Concourse A/B also should help move along passengers and planes of other airlines. With the opening of the new terminal complex, the airport gained four new security checkpoints . Plus, in coming months, officials plan to renovate the eight gates Southwest vacated in C Terminal for other airlines.
Although the new facility provides a greatly expanded Southwest ticket counter, passengers should continue to check in at the old counter in Concourse C during a transition period that will last about another week and a half.
CoGo will give the new facility a few days to work out any kinks, then check to see whether the investment is paying off in reduced chaos and shorter lines. Already, one new benefit is clear: a big jump in dining and shopping options . The new concourse debuted with an extra 30,000 square feet of space for shops and restaurants, including Phillips Seafood, Borders Books and Jos. A. Bank. Another 30,000 square feet of retail space for the rest of the airport is in the works.
travel ticker
Sidestep -- the online engine that searches multiple travel sites at once on behalf of customers seeking airline tickets, rental cars and hotels -- last week added vacation packages to its repertoire and spiffed up its features overall. Details: http://www.sidestep.com . . . The Civil War Adventure Camp , billed as the first permanent overnight site for Civil War reenactments, opened last month in Petersburg, Va. Overnight camp, including uniform and rations, costs $70 per person and is intended for adults and kids 8 and older. Details: 877-726-7546, http://www.civilwaradventurecamp.org . . . Cigarette lighters without fuel inside may be packed in checked luggage, according to the newest update from the Transportation Security Administration.
BARGAIN OF THE WEEKChinese Fortune
Fly round trip to Beijing for $962 including taxes. Details: Page P3.
Reporting: Cindy Loose.
Help feed CoGo. Send travel news to: cogo@washpost.com. By fax: 202-912-3609. By mail: CoGo, Washington Post Travel Section, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071.