by Julie Kim
Staff Writer
Spring break offers a respite for exhausted students everywhere, but as the much-anticipated week draws near, college students should be wary of travel agents looking to take advantage of them.
According to the California Student Public Interest Research Group, surveyed travel companies charged up to 62 percent more than the advertised price.
CALPIRG, an environmental and consumer organization with chapters at seven University of California schools, examined 17 travel companies that publicized on campuses all over the country.
The report, “Spring Broke: How to Avoid a Spring Break Ripoff,” found that all posters, leaflets and advertisements “contained hidden, confusing and misleading fees.”
“Spring break is supposed to be a chance for students to relax and recuperate,” said CALPIRG Higher Education advocate Merriah Fairchild in a recent statement. “Instead, travel companies are using it as a chance to fleece students.”
Some of these companies included Beach Life Vacations, Leisure Tours International, Student City and Extreme Vacations.
Paradise Parties had the largest difference between the advertised price, $499, and the actual price, $1,016 – a 103.61 percent increase.
The report noted that these companies used six types of concealed charges: international departure and arrival taxes, processing fees, peak week surcharges, late booking fees, departure city surcharges, travel insurance and fuel surcharges.
“Alone, none of these fees amount to a significant sum of money,” according to the CALPIRG report. “However, the cumulative effect of these fees is to increase the trip’s cost dramatically.”
For example, 76 percent of the travel companies charged an additional $30 to $80 for trips during peak weeks in March or April when Spring Break coincides for various universities.
In addition, 59 percent of the surveyed travel companies added a “late” booking fee of up to $30 for clients who did not reserve three to four months in advance.
Moreover, 13 out of 17 companies, or 76 percent, automatically billed for an optional insurance fee.
According to the report, hidden fees for each travel package were usually in fine print at the bottom or on the back of the ad – if there at all.
But David Kung, professor of business administration at the School of Business and Global Studies said students need to be aware of advertising gimmicks. He noted, “Advertisements are there to attract attention… but you have to stop, read and be careful.”
Corey Bianchi-Rossi, vice president of marketing for Bianchi-Rossi Tours, denied allegations of hidden agendas.
“The people who did the survey didn’t do a lot of research,” he said.
He noted that the majority of travel companies didn’t include add-on fees in their advertisements because the law didn’t mandate it.
“Even car industries don’t advertise the extra costs,” Bianchi-Rossi said. “We wouldn’t have any customers if we were the only ones who publicized them.”
Kung agreed: “It is acceptable to not disclose taxes in ads.”
In addition, Bianchi-Rossi said several variables determined the definitive price: departure city, travel location, occasion and the number of people – just to name a few.
Besides the expenses, the survey also warned students about other catches.
According to the report, travel companies could change flight departure dates, times, cities and even hotel accommodations.
In addition, many of the students lost their legal rights when they purchased travel packages.
“I’d rather plan it out by myself… than use one of those companies,” said Callie Fikter, a junior broadcasting major.
“We urge students not to get distracted by the teaser price you see on a poster or flyer,” Fairchild said. “Be sure to find out about all of the hidden fees that come with each package, and make sure you read the fine print.”
Students were advised to call the Attorney General’s office to check for any complaints that were made against a company.
For more information, visit www.calpirgstudents.org.
