If Allegiant Air gets its way, you might be able to purchase a ticket where the final cost would rise and fall with the price of jet fuel.
For the Las Vegas airline, it's another way, besides higher fares and fees, to guard against rising fuel costs. For travelers, it's a chance to gamble on a cheaper fare.
When booking a flight, passengers could choose between a traditional fixed-price ticket and a discounted, variable-price one. If the price of jet fuel falls by the departure date, customers with a variable ticket would get some cash back. If the price climbs, they would pay more, up to a pre-disclosed cap.
The full article is here and for the pointer I thank Jack Schafer. Usually deals like this are a rip-off, designed to exploit consumers who do not understand the basic principles of insurance, risk, and options.
Published on March 10, 2011 16:14