Ravenwood - 08/26/04 06:00 AM
If you want to deal with an actual person, Northwest Airlines is going to start charging you up to $10 a ticket. Likewise, they are going to start charging travel agents up to $7.50 to book tickets on Northwest. (Didn't they used to pay travel agents to book their tickets?) At United Airlines, frequent fliers who want to book an award ticket will be charged $15 if they choose not to book online.
Of course this is all part of air travel becoming a commodity. With there being little or no differentiation between the airlines, it's no wonder customers are always looking for the lowest price.
My prediction: This will spread to grocery stores. Right now you have the option of ringing up and bagging your groceries yourself. In a few years, customers will probably be charged extra (like they are for gas) if they still want full service.
That hasn't really taken off for banks yet, and that particular lead balloon has been floating in large cities for years now.
I'd hope to see a consumer backlash for this. I never use automated checkout lanes in supermarkets, for instance. I'd rather be ignored by a living, breathing, high school kid.
Posted by: Brian J. at August 26, 2004 8:58 AM(c) Ravenwood and Associates, 1990 - 2014
