Allegiant Tickets: Cheaper At The Airport?

Allegiant Air is a low-cost carrier that flies to several cities across the United States. Despite their already-low airfares, it is possible to purchase tickets for an even cheaper price by buying them at the airport. This is because Allegiant Air, like other ultra-low-cost carriers, adds on an Electronic Carrier Usage Charge of $18-22 per person, per segment, to all bookings made through their website or call centre. However, this fee can be avoided by purchasing tickets at an Allegiant airport ticket counter during designated times, which are often limited to a one-hour period following a flight's scheduled departure. While it may not be worth the trip to the airport for a single traveller, the savings can add up for larger groups or families.

Allegiant tickets are cheaper at the airport because of taxes

Allegiant Air is a low-cost carrier that flies to several cities across the United States. The airline is known for its incredibly low base fares, but each ticket includes an "Electronic Carrier Usage Charge" of $18 to $22 per passenger per segment for bookings made through the Allegiant website or call center. This brings up the question of why Allegiant tickets are cheaper at the airport.

The reason lies in taxes. Airlines are required to pay a 7.5% federal excise tax on airfare but not on optional fees. In order for a charge to be considered an optional fee, there must be a way for customers to avoid paying it. Allegiant has cleverly structured its "Carrier Usage Charge" as a fee rather than airfare by making it avoidable—if you purchase your ticket at an Allegiant airport ticket counter during designated hours, you won't have to pay this charge. By encouraging customers to buy tickets at the airport, Allegiant can save on taxes, as they don't have to pay the 7.5% tax on this portion of the ticket cost.

While the savings per ticket may seem small, it adds up when you consider the millions of passengers Allegiant carries each year. For customers, especially those travelling in large groups or booking multiple tickets, the savings can also be significant. However, Allegiant doesn't make it very convenient to buy tickets at the airport, with limited hours for airport ticketing, usually just one hour following a flight's scheduled departure.

So, if you're looking to save some money on your next Allegiant flight, consider purchasing your tickets at the airport. Just be sure to check the airport ticketing hours before you go, and keep in mind that this option might not be worth the hassle for solo travellers or those who live far from the airport.

The Electronic Carrier Usage Charge is $22 per person, per segment

Allegiant Air is one of the largest ultra-low-cost carriers in the United States. It flies a variety of point-to-point routes that are otherwise underserved. Each ticket includes an "Electronic Carrier Usage Charge" of $22 per passenger per segment. This applies to all reservations booked through Allegiant's website or call centre.

The Electronic Carrier Usage Charge is a flat fee of $22 per person, per segment. This means that for a round trip, the charge is $44. This fee is added to the base fare, which is usually incredibly low.

The Electronic Carrier Usage Charge is a way for Allegiant to reduce the taxes they have to pay on ticket costs. Airlines have to pay a 7.5% federal excise tax on airfare but not on optional fees. The Electronic Carrier Usage Charge is considered an optional fee because there is a way to avoid paying it – by booking at the airport. By calling it a fee rather than airfare, Allegiant doesn't have to pay taxes on this portion of the ticket cost.

While Allegiant does allow you to book at the airport, they don't make it easy. Airport ticketing is only available for one hour following a flight's scheduled departure, so there is usually just a one-hour period on certain days of the week when you can book travel.

Booking at the airport can result in significant savings, especially if you are travelling as a larger group or booking multiple tickets. For example, a family of four could save over $80 on a round trip. However, it might not be worth making a special trip to the airport to save $22 on a one-way ticket for one person.

It's important to note that Allegiant doesn't accept cash, cheques, or money orders at any airport location. Additionally, airport ticket counter hours are limited and vary by location. Therefore, it's recommended to check the hours for your specific airport before planning a trip to book tickets in person.

Allegiant ticket counter hours are limited and vary by location

Allegiant Airlines ticket counter hours are limited and vary by location. In most cities, airport ticket purchases are available for one hour following each scheduled departure.

For example, at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, the Allegiant ticket counter is only open on Monday and Friday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and on Saturday from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.

At other airports, the hours for purchasing tickets at the counter may be even more limited. For instance, one customer reported that their local airport only offered ticket sales for a total of six hours every week.

Therefore, it is recommended that you check the specific hours for your desired location before planning a trip to the airport to purchase tickets. This can be done by searching for the appropriate city pair on the Allegiant website or by consulting a chart showing the precise days and hours for each airport.

Allegiant doesn't accept cash, checks, or money orders at airport locations

Allegiant Air: No Cash, Checks, or Money Orders Accepted at Airport Locations

Allegiant Air is a low-cost carrier that offers ultra-low base fares and convenient flights to various destinations. While Allegiant Air provides the option of booking tickets online, through their call center, or at the airport, they have specific payment methods that are accepted at each of these locations.

At Allegiant airport locations, the airline does not accept cash, checks, or money orders as valid forms of payment. This policy is consistently applied across all of Allegiant's airport locations, ensuring a standardized payment process. It is important to note that Allegiant Air's website lists the specific times when tickets can be purchased at the airport, and these hours vary by location.

While cash, checks, and money orders are not accepted at Allegiant airport locations, the airline does offer alternative payment methods for the convenience of its customers. Allegiant Air accepts major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Discover, Union Pay, and the Allegiant World Mastercard. Additionally, the airline may accept other forms of payment, such as vouchers or travel credits, depending on the specific circumstances.

It is worth noting that Allegiant Air's policies on accepted payment methods may change or be updated from time to time. Therefore, it is always a good idea to review their official website or contact their customer service for the most up-to-date information regarding accepted payment methods at airport locations.

Understanding Allegiant Air's Payment Policies

Allegiant Air's approach to payment methods is designed to provide flexibility and convenience to its customers while also adhering to certain regulations and standard practices in the airline industry. By not accepting cash, checks, or money orders at airport locations, Allegiant streamlines its payment processes and reduces potential complexities associated with cash transactions.

Allegiant Air's focus on electronic ticketing and online bookings aligns with the practices of many modern airlines. By encouraging online bookings, the airline can offer competitive pricing and provide customers with a convenient way to manage their travel plans.

However, it is important to recognize that Allegiant Air also offers the option of purchasing tickets at the airport, which can be beneficial for those who prefer in-person transactions or have specific travel needs. While the hours for airport ticketing may vary, Allegiant provides clear information on their website regarding the availability of this option at different locations.

In summary, Allegiant Air's payment policies, including the non-acceptance of cash, checks, or money orders at airport locations, are designed to balance customer needs, regulatory requirements, and operational efficiency. The airline continually evaluates its policies to ensure they meet the needs of its diverse customer base while maintaining the high standards of service that Allegiant is known for.

You can save $36 per person on each roundtrip ticket by buying at the airport

Allegiant Air is a low-cost carrier that flies to several cities across the United States. Even though their airfares are already inexpensive, you can save even more money by buying your tickets at the airport.

When you buy an Allegiant ticket online, you pay an "Electronic Carrier Usage Charge" of $18 per person, per segment. That's $36 per person for a round trip. If you buy your ticket at the airport, you don't have to pay this fee.

Airlines have to pay a 7.5% tax on the airfare portion of every ticket they sell. However, they don't have to pay this tax on the fees they charge for extra services. By lowering the amount they charge for airfare and adding on extra fees, they can save money on taxes. While they only save a couple of dollars on each ticket, it adds up when you consider the number of tickets they sell each year.

For most people, the hassle of getting to the airport will outweigh the money they save. However, if you're travelling as a family or a large group, the savings can be significant. For example, if you're travelling with a family of four, you could save $144 on a round trip.

Allegiant isn't part of any major alliances, so you can't use points to buy tickets at the airport. You'll need to pay with cash or card.

Allegiant doesn't make it easy for you to buy tickets at the airport. They only sell tickets during designated times, which are usually for one hour following a flight's scheduled departure. This means you'll need to time your trip to the airport carefully. You can find the ticketing hours for each airport on the Allegiant website.

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