The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has fined ticket agent Airtrade International-operating as Vayama-$80,000 for violating DOT's unfair and deceptive trade practices rule.
According to DOT, Vayama advertised fares that failed to distinguish between government taxes and fees and charges imposed by the airline.
Vayama also violated DOT's full-fare advertising rule by advertising fares that were rounded down below the actual total fare amount.
DOT ordered the company to cease and desist from further violations.
"Passengers deserve fair and honest treatment when they fly, and that includes being provided accurate information about their airfares," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "We will continue to take enforcement action when airlines and ticket agents fail to disclose their fares fully and accurately."
Under DOT's full-fare advertising rule, a ticket agent must state the entire price to be paid by the consumer, including all mandatory taxes, fees, and airline surcharges in the first price quoted in response to a fare inquiry or search. Airlines and agents do not have to break down the specific components of the fare, but if they do, the information provided must accurately reflect the nature of the charges included in the airfare.
DOT's Aviation Enforcement Office found that, for a period of time in 2013, when a consumer selected a fare from a display of fare options, Vayama displayed the total amount of additional fees under a general "Taxes and Fees" label even though that amount included Vayama's own surcharge, which could range between $5 and $50. Therefore, consumers were led to believe that Vayama charges were government "Taxes and Fees."
In addition, for a period of time in 2012 and 2013, Vayama's homepage advertised fares that were rounded down to the whole dollar amount below the actual total fare amount, in violation of federal rules requiring that all advertised fares display the exact fare or round up to an amount greater than the exact fare.
This action follows the DOT's $95,000 fining of WK Travel on Jan. 2 for not disclosing codeshare flights.
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