WKRN, Nashville, Tennessee News, Weather, and Sports |Airlines double hidden 'holiday tax'

Airlines double hidden 'holiday tax'

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Many of the major airlines have introduced and since doubled a hidden "holiday surcharge" added to every airplane ticket sold for travel on or around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The $20 "tax" is part of the base price for tickets sold by Delta/Northwest, American and United.

“They said, ‘Yeah, this is a holiday tax.  It's not everyday, but on the prime days, when we know we're going to get it, we're sticking it to you’,” Tommy Thompson with Herron Travel told News 2.

Travel dates within three days of "holidays" determined by the airlines will get the $20 fee.

Examples are the Sunday after Thanksgiving, the 18 and 19 of December, and the Sunday after Christmas.

The days are spread around to where nearly everyone traveling for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays will be charged the fee.

For a family of four, a round-trip flight will cost $360 more, and that doesn't include the extra fees for luggage.

"We're seeing fare increases daily,” said Thompson.  “Prices change, taxes are added [and] luggage charges are going up.”

Thompson advises travelers to “book early if you can.”

She adds, “Don’t wait until the last minute, because I think you are going to see prices skyrocket."

Last year, many travelers did wait, and the airlines responded by offering deals on last-minute flights.

Thompson said that will not happen this year because airlines are offering fewer flights.

"There are [fewer] flights, less seats, there is few free tickets anymore.  If you try to book on your miles this is going to affect your mileage.  The flights will sell out, there won't be a seat to buy, even at the high prices,” she said.

Southwest Airlines is not adding the holiday surcharge.