FORT WORTH -- The $10 "peak travel surcharge" that airlines initiated last month for travel on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and for Jan. 2 and 3 has now been extended to peak holiday travel days in 2010.
According to an e-mail blast on Monday night from FareCompare.com, airlines have added the $10 surcharge to 10 additional days.
"A $10 fee sounds relatively harmless at first glance," said FareCompare.com chief executive Rick Seaney. "But as travelers are quickly learning, $10 here for peak holiday departures, $20 for a first checked bag, followed by an aisle seat selection fee -- pretty soon you're talking real money."
Airlines traditionally charge higher fares on peak travel days around the holidays but the surcharge, which was initiated by American Airlines and soon followed by other carriers, is new this year.