airlines posts

Usually when you enter the muddy waters airline fare pricing, things can get confusing.

What you see is not always what you get and the surcharges left out of the advertised bottom line can seriously impact what you end up paying for your ticket to the sun -- and not in a good way. But things are looking up for Canadian travelers.

Air Canada and Porter Airlines Inc. announced last week an all-inclusive airfare policy when it comes to their print ads and websites.

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People are angry about having to pay for hidden fees, especially when it comes to travelling.

"I can't stand having to pay for that (expletive) tax, when I purchase a flight" says Jennifer, a 33-year-old program officer from Ottawa, Ontario.

In 2006, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-11, which requires the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) to regulate how airfare is advertised. But over six years have gone by and the Act hasn't been enforced until now.

Canadian low-cost carrier WestJet has used all-in air price advertising in their display ads, banner ads, website landing pages and print materials since early January 2012. WestJet admits that they have a minor technical glitch that their web provider will resolve within the coming months. Today when you book a flight, you will have to hover over the price and an overlay will provide you with the complete price breakdown of that particular flight. In the near future they hope to display the all-in price without the need to hover over the listed price. This feature is not commonly available around the world, and WestJet expects that this level of transparency will please many consumers. And now, Air Canada, too, is advertising all-in pricing.

There's something strangely satisfying and less stressful about flying with only carry-on luggage.

The first snicker of satisfaction comes when you arrive at the airport with your boarding pass already printed off the internet and breeze past the line of people waiting to check in their bags. The second is knowing that you've avoided paying check-in baggage fees (this is not so much an issue on Canadian airlines, but you really need to watch out for them in the U.S. or on budget airlines around the world -- they hurt. Ouch!) Third is knowing that the airline won't lose your luggage (it's a slim chance, but it does happen.) And fourth is being able to walk straight off the plane, past those waiting for the baggage conveyor belt to start up, and straight out of the airport.

Before you say that there's no way you could fit everything you need into your carry-on, read on.

Does air travel make you happy or nervous?

For many of us, the joy of air travel seems to have disappeared in the past 10 years, with the never ending changes to security requirements, luggage restrictions and the so-called exposure of hidden costs.

Travellers may reminisce happily of the stylish jet age of the 1960s, recently brought back in the debut of the new TV series Pan Am.

But what about the 21st century? Doesn't the arrival of faster commuter aircraft, WiFi and online check-in count?

Travel website Cheapflights.ca recently surveyed travellers to see if the present or the past is preferable when it comes to spending on airline travel.

WalletPop Editor-at-Large Jason Cochran says there are many websites available to help travelers find the best deals available.

One of the most important things you can do, says Cochran, is to learn which airlines fly out of your local airport. If you find that out, you might also discover there are mnore ways than one to get to your destination, and suddenly you have a way of comparing routes and fares and getting the best rate. Watch the video for this veteran travel writer's money-saving tips.

Every day readers from across the country add their thoughts to new, amazing stories. Discussions are created and debates rage on in the space below posts and we, at WalletPop want to thank and highlight the most, popular comments of the week.

Fraud, Fraud and More Fraud

Credit card fraud really scares a lot of people... including you! The perils one can face after their information and/or card is stolen are forever ingrained in our minds but, what about debit card fraud? It's just as dangerous and according to the president of the Consumers Association of Canada more common than most people think.

Reader breadanhitt was one reader surprised by how easy it is to steal debit card information.

"Great information on debit cards. This post is like an eyeopener for me because I am a very careless traveler, but from now I will try to remember the tips listed in this post, so that I can prevent my debit cards from theft."

Have you ever been on a flight from hell? I sure have, more than once. Check-in lines that seem to never end; rude staff, sneaky baggage fees; delayed flights with no explanation; flight staff who disappear after take off; passengers who got drunk on board; emergency landings because of passengers who got drunk on board; broken entertainment systems; broken air conditioning; bad food; no food; chairs that don't recline; and crammed seating with flat headrests that result in the person next to you sleeping on your shoulder. You name it, I've experienced it.

The more bad flying experiences I've had, the more I've come to appreciate the flights with good service. I'm also more likely to fork out a little extra to fly with a good airline, especially over long distances. Some of my personal favourite airlines are Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Cathay Pacific and Thai Airways. Two of those airlines were named in the list of the world's top airlines by this year's Zagat survey.

Budding starlets now have another way to get to Tinseltown. As of June 23 Virgin America will become a daily fixture at Toronto's Pearson Airport, announced via its Twitter feed the other day.

Last month Virgin America announced it was adding direct daily flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Toronto, making this Canadian city the first international destination for the American airline.

Frequent fliers to Los Angeles and San Francisco should take note - there's another airline coming to Canada.

Virgin America, known for its high level of customer service and tech-savvy airplanes, has announced that as early as June 2010, the airline will be flying two new routes, San Francisco and Los Angeles direct to Toronto Pearson Airport.

Currently, Air Canada, United Airlines and American Airlines offer direct flights between these cities.