Fees charged by the four U.S. online travel agencies to book most flights could be a thing of the past as the companies, hungry for market share, try to make their offerings more appealing to the traveling public.
Orbitz Worldwide on Monday said it has permanently removed airline ticket booking fees on domestic and international flights. Travelocity said on Monday it would continue to waive flight booking fees. Expedia Inc said the same thing last week.
The fee waivers at those companies began this year as promotions. Priceline.com has not charged fees for published price airline bookings since 2007.
While the new fee waivers could stimulate travel bookings, they also threaten to erode revenue for the companies, which have been suffering as the recession takes its toll on spending for business and leisure trips.
Orbitz Worldwide on Monday said it has permanently removed airline ticket booking fees on domestic and international flights. Travelocity said on Monday it would continue to waive flight booking fees. Expedia Inc said the same thing last week.
The fee waivers at those companies began this year as promotions. Priceline.com has not charged fees for published price airline bookings since 2007.
While the new fee waivers could stimulate travel bookings, they also threaten to erode revenue for the companies, which have been suffering as the recession takes its toll on spending for business and leisure trips.
