Airphil Express additional fare charges

Travel insurance, web admin fee, seat selector fee, fuel charges and other additional costs pop up when we transact online for airline tickets, right? I’m used to seeing these additional airline charges come up during the entire booking process and I know when to disable default settings to avoid being billed unnecessarily for some of them. Having acquainted myself with Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Zest Air and Airphil Express online booking systems, I’m familiar which sections these additional charges come up until the transaction process is completed.

However, I was very much surprised when my credit card bill arrived this week showing my recent online booking transactions via Airphil Express. I bought four tickets supposedly priced at PHP1145 each, with the fare breakdown shown below:

Airphil Express Bacolod-Manila fare breakdown

The total cost for the four tickets was PHP4580, but my bill showed me four additional separate charges of PHP112. Here’s what I got from my credit card bill:

Additional service charges from Airphil Express shown in credit card bill

I was confused when I first saw it, so I calculated again and checked the eticket details but I didn’t find anything unusual. When I checked the confirmation email Airphil Express sent me, it was then that I realized I was charged more than what I thought. I noticed there was an additional service fee amount at the bottom part:

Confirmation email from Airphil Express showing the additional service charge of PHP448

I already sent an email to Airphil Express customer support about the hidden charges. It’s my way of letting them know that somebody is not happy with their booking system. At least they would think of making it a better and more transparent experience for their customers. Anyway, I know I’m better off daydreaming about some Greek island holidays than to stress myself about the additional PHP448 charges on my card.

I also posted a complaint in their Facebook wall and I got this reply…with a smiley:

Airphil Express customer support reply on their Facebook wall

Airphil Express, what are your reasons for not including the service fee in the fare breakdown and charging it separately instead?

The smiley at the end of the reply says it all.

The amount for the service charge is not the issue here but the airline’s transparency in billing their customers. At least with other airlines, the total fare stated in your electronic ticket is the exact amount that you will be billed, no more no less. Thus, if you will be purchasing tickets online from Airphil Express, just be aware of the separate additional charges.

Have you purchased tickets from airline booking sites recently? Have you been billed more than the total fare stated in your e-ticket? You’re welcome to share your experience in the comments section below.