| Low cost airlines have brought big changes to the | | | | when making the trade-off between cost and value |
| domestic and international air travel scene in recent | | | | for money: |
| years. The low cost carriers (LCCs) are a great way | | | | Customer service, or the lack of it. Making a |
| to travel if you're on a budget. They can allow you | | | | complaint can be seriously frustrating as many LCCs |
| to fly to destinations that were previously too costly | | | | don't regard a customer service complaints call center |
| for you to access. | | | | as part of their overall strategy. |
| But note that these no-frills or discount services can | | | | Strict check-in policies. You can be one minute |
| offer lower fares because they have lower | | | | late and you won't get to board your flight, even if |
| overheads and charge for 'extras' such as: | | | | the same airlines' connecting flight made you late in |
| food | | | | the first place. |
| priority boarding | | | | When things go wrong, it is you who tends to |
| seat allocation | | | | suffer the consequences, with no compensation, |
| baggage, specifically if you want to check a bag | | | | even if it's their fault. This includes flight rescheduling |
| in | | | | and cancellations. |
| carrying your sporting equipment | | | | If they cancel a flight and there is no alternative |
| entertainment | | | | that day, they tend not put you up in |
| Credit card transaction fees also tend to be | | | | accommodation, or assist you in finding |
| disproportionate when you pay with the airline direct | | | | accommodation or alternative flights. |
| - although many online travel agencies do not charge | | | | Strict refund/change policies. |
| credit card transaction fees anymore. | | | | I'm not saying don't travel on an LCC. They are a |
| There is also talk and debate particularly in the UK | | | | wonderful alternative and allow us to travel to |
| about having to pay to go to the bathroom. | | | | destinations we have never considered before. But |
| For the most part, customers are happy with this | | | | please consider some of these important, hidden |
| user-pays system. But there's another area of cost | | | | costs when you are comparing your airfares. |
| cutting which isn't advertised...We tend not to think | | | | We pay the extra on a full-service airline not just for |
| about the consequences of booking with an LCC until | | | | the food we're served. They will also pay for your |
| things go wrong and have a negative impact on us. | | | | hotel, food and taxi when they cancel your flight. |
| Government departments receive a large number of | | | | Full-service airlines tend to look after you when things |
| complaints about airlines as a result of travelers not | | | | go wrong. |
| fully understanding the implications of some of the | | | | So remember: a canceled flight, lost baggage or less |
| cost cutting strategies. | | | | than obliging cabin crew can diminish your holiday |
| Here are a few examples of other areas where | | | | experience or even ruin it altogether. Consider the |
| these airlines save money, which you should consider | | | | trade-offs before you book your next flight. |