Just when the wave of change fees and the like have been receding, and just when you thought all the fees airlines could invent, Lufthansa, one of Europe's biggest carriers, has invented a new one: the 'seat amendment fee.'
Like most airlines with 'basic' or 'light' fares, the lower fares come with a list of restrictions that may include such items as no free food, no free carry-on, no changes or refunds, and perhaps most often, no advance seat selection.
But, up to now, there's been the chance to select from available seats at check-in time. Here's Lufthansa's own words: "Of course, all the remaining seats can still be selected free of charge once check-in for the relevant flight begins, usually from 23 hours before departure."
But no more: starting this week, the carrier has been auto-assigning seats and then charging €25 if you'd prefer a different one; that's a €50 addition to a round-trip fare. Here it is: "The Economy Light fare on European routes does not include any free advance seat reservations. You will be allocated a seat automatically when checking in. If you would like to change this seat, an amendment fee starting from EUR 25/CHF 35/USD 35 will be charged."
Can it be long before some airline puts a turnstile at the jetway and starts charging an exit toll? Oooops! Perhaps I shouldn't have said that...
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