My friend in Berlin gave me the not-so-good word today that he’ll have another visitor during the time we’d tentatively planned to have me visit in August.  As I’m in school right now, my schedule isn’t very flexible, so for now, going to visit him is totally off the plate, at least until next August. 

So, I figured I’d turn this great tragedy of our time into a chance to visit Byron and check out his new place in Seattle (and I’ve never been to Seattle).

I went to Southwest’s website after checking travelocity.  The cheapest travelocity flight was $138.  I went on Southwest and found a flight there and a flight back each for $69.  I thought “great, nice, low fares, they’re right!” (even though it was technically the same price)

WRONG…

Check out this screenshot of my ticket price before and after (note the hilarious “no hidden fees” banner ad on this page…

 

I had to be rushed to hospital because the irony killed me when I saw the next page.

 

 

Uh… $166??!!  No hidden fees?   Truth in Marketing FAIL…

I’ll stick with Travelocities total of $138 AFTER taxes and BS “fees” thank you.

I looked up Southwest’s page for their “no hidden fees” campaign and check this out:  All the “fees” they’re talking about are totally optional and (ironically) ones I’ve never ever experienced…ever.  I’ve never had to pay extra to sit by the window (I always try to sit there).  I’m smart enough to check out the baggage policy before I fly – although I try to fly light so it isn’t a problem anyway.  Snack fee?  The only airline that did that was Skybus, but that was because we could get a Columbus to Burbank flight for $50!  (and they’ve been out of business for a year now anyway)

by the way, what is PFO?  Giving a fee an acronym certainly seems like a good way to “hide” what it is…doesn’t it?

I used to like Southwest (their flights in the west actually were cheaper before)….but first the peanuts…and now this…