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Travel Tip Tuesday : American Airlines Announces $8 Blankets

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If you are a friend of this blog, you know that Travel Tip Tuesday isn’t always a list of travel tips. Occasionally it is a platform for me to bitch about ridiculous travel rules, decisions and fees.

Stupid airline fees, like the ones for checked-bags, often make an appearance as well.

I also like to give others a forum to weigh in on some of these ridiculous decisions made by the airline industry.

Well, according to the NYTimes Intransit Blog, American Airlines plans to charge $8 for a blanket and pillow on the plane, beginning May 1st on domestic flights and some international flights over two hours.

I am not one that likes to be nickle-and-dimed when I travel. And I could really care less about having a blanket for keeping warm on a plane, as I generally pack or wear a pashmina that doubles as a shawl or blanket if I get chilly.

Honestly though, I do like the idea of having that blanket to roll up or extra pillow to use as a lumbar support for my lower back- because the airline seats are so dang comfortable!

But these fees – the airlines just keep adding them. And raising them. When will it end?

First airlines roll out checked-bag fees for a second bag, then for the first, then they raise the fees, then they charge for pretzels, then soda and now blankets. Some are even charging for specific premium seats! Soon you’ll pay for water and to use the bathroom.

As I sit here, the ladies of The View are dishing about this- they are angry too. They agree- something has to be done. But what?

And why only coach passengers? Don’t the airlines realize that travelers in coach are there because they can’t afford to spend any more money?

Seriously. I don’t get it.

So here are my questions to you….

How much does this anger you? What is your breaking point? Will this impact your decision to fly with American Airlines? Will you pay $8 for a blanket in coach? And what are your suggestions or solutions to deal with this growing problem?

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Don’t forget to head to My Bella Vita for more tips today!

Photo Credit: Roger Bits

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The Unexpected Traveller
February 9th, 2010
Hey there!

On the one hand, I don’t understand this. It’s selfish and childish and petty but on the other hand, I wonder how many people steal the blanket and pillow. That’s got to put a dent in the costs somehow, surely?

Thing is $ 8 is a fair amount of money. For that price, as someone on Gadling pointed out today, I’d like a bed time story from the Flight Attendant. I think that having a token price will help their logistics and costs but it should be no more than $ 2 to $ 3.

The Unexpected Traveller

Side note: What happens to all those blankets after we leave the plane? Do they re-wrap them? Sell them? Wash them?
The Unexpected Traveller´s last blog ..The Salad Years

Ann Lombardi (aka The Trip Chicks)
February 9th, 2010
Hey, Robin! If American Airlines intends to actually WASH its blankets before re-packaging, I might consider forking out the cash. On the other hand, I might just tote my own on board from now own.

Ann Lombardi (aka The Trip Chicks)
February 9th, 2010
Correction: from now “ON!”

Anil
February 9th, 2010
They can keep their blankets, they don’t wash them anyway.

Tara Bradford
February 9th, 2010
As you know, I think it’s another outrageous example of an airline taking advantage of economy class customers. What’s next, charging for water? I wouldn’t pay for their cheap blankets and pillows, even if we could take them home (which is what they’re supposedly planning to do, according to USA Today). And I won’t be flying American Airlines unless there’s no alternative and it’s an emergency.

Cathy Kesseler
February 9th, 2010
I guess if I have to travel American Airlines I will my along the pillow and blanket I bought from Jet Blue- they only cost $6.00. Plus a coupon for Bed, Bath and Beyond or some store like that. I didn’t mind paying the for them as Jet Blue had low ticket price and by the way more leg room than the other more expensive airlines.

Gloria - Casina di Rosa
February 9th, 2010
I just don’t like the idea of having to pay for many extras. Just raise the ticket price of 10 dollars and give me the blankets for free. I feel you care for my well being while you get your money anyway.

Andy Hayes | Sharing Travel Experiences
February 9th, 2010
Ridiculous. I fail to see how just offering reasonable fares fails to work.

Sure, RyanAir can pull this off – but they have the whole marketing thing down pat. What’s the compelling reason to fly American? Somehow I think lousy fares and smelly (so I hear) $8 blankets isn’t much of a selling point.
Andy Hayes | Sharing Travel Experiences´s last blog ..Inspiring Travel Monthly Roundup – Romance Edition

Jeanine Barone
February 9th, 2010
To me, charging anything for a blanket or pillow is ridiculous. The consumer is already hit with plenty of extra charges when flying and this is just too much. I have no intention of paying for these comfort items. When I fly, I always bring along a small inflatable travel pillow. Plus, I wear a ton of extra clothes on the plane, including comfy wool sweaters by SmartWool and Ice Breaker as well as a fleece vest or jacket by Horny Toad. Any or all of these can become my blanket or, rolled up, an extra “pillow.”
http://www.jthetravelauthority.com
Jeanine Barone´s last blog ..Oahu: My Favorite Walking Spots

Mary G.
February 9th, 2010
I can’t say I’m surprised. Have you seen the ATPCO list of ancillary revenue categories? Stay tuned -it’s going to get much worse! Personally, I stopped using the airline pillows and blankets since the outbreak of headlice about 8 years ago. I carry my own pillow/blanket combo that has a strap and fits over my rollaboard bag handle.

Alison
February 10th, 2010
All of this nickel and diming really bugs me. I am always freezing on planes and even though I always travel with a pashmina I normally use the blanket (and my husband’s) as well. Now it looks like I’ll have to add one more item to my carry-on.

Ryanair is on its way to making passengers pay for toilets. I’m wondering how long the air-crew will stand for it, if they have to clean up after ‘emergencies’ caused by people without any coins.
Alison´s last blog ..Organic Vegetables Delivered to Your Door – Reason2.be

katie
February 10th, 2010
Do you get to keep the blanket?
I think that all airlines should charge a one rate for coach, another for business, etc. provide a uniform service, free and scrap all the promos, mulit-tiered rates, etc. If they added 8 dollars to all the tickets and quit having price wars they could provide a decent service and stop the ‘nickle and diming’. And charging for toilets? Wouldn’t that come under ‘Crimes against Humanity’?
katie´s last blog ..Sunchoke Chips; the update

Melvin
February 10th, 2010
I can tell you so much, if they charge for it & I get cold & really would pay for that, then I will definitely keep it as a souvenir!
Melvin´s last blog ..Rooms for rent in Barrio norte!

Joanne at Frutto della Passione
February 10th, 2010
I’m still fuming over the fees for a second checked bag from Europe to North America!
You asked why only coach travellers? It’s simple, there are more of them. Back in October I had the rare opportunity to fly Toronto / Amsterdam in Business and you know what? There were only 20 seats up there!! On the other hand there were hundreds of economy passengers. That’s my first reaction, secondly – economy passengers don’t have a choice. It’s that simple. Now I am sure there will be an upsurge in the sale of travel blankets and pillows but this whole thing is becoming ridiculous. Until now I have always avoid low cost airlines because I didn’t want to be nickeled and dimed, now I’ll add AA to my list as well!
Joanne at Frutto della Passione´s last blog ..Nutella Day 2010

Gray
February 10th, 2010
It would be so much more honest if airlines would just raise the ticket price and be done with it. Then you could compare the cost of flights and make your choice without having to consult a spreadsheet about which airlines charge fees for which miscellaneous items and behaviors.
Gray´s last blog ..The Aha! Factor

Robin @ My Melange
February 10th, 2010
Thank you all so much for your thoughts! Love to give some of you the opportunity to rant. Some great ideas and answers here. It seems we are all in agreement – no one likes it and we are all fed up with it! And I like how many of you will bring your own or use other options rather than pay this outrageous fee!

Cherrye at My Bella Vita
February 15th, 2010
This infuriates me, as well because it is just one more thing they are doing to make us fork over even more money. I don’t, however, agree with everyone who says just to raise the price. They’d raise them like has been suggested, then just come up with another “gotcha” fee.

Know what infuriated me even more on my last flight? When United attendants told the first two rows of coach passengers that they couldn’t use the lavatories that were next to them because they were for business class and it was a “question of security.”

What? Were they afraid our poorness would rub off??
Cherrye at My Bella Vita´s last blog ..Monica’s Fine Foods Featuring Calabrian Olive Oil (and a giveaway!)