AAA Washington/Inland

Oder 04-08-2
OST-04-16943 - Violations of 49 USC 41712 and 14 CFR 399.84

Issued and Served August 6, 2004

Consent Order

Between January 25, 2004, and March 17, 2004, AAA ran a series of advertisements in the Seattle Times in which it failed to properly disclose taxes and fees that were in addition to the advertised base air fares. Specifically, AAA advertised vacation package tours, including airfare to Hawaiian and foreign destinations, with promotional prices subject to terms disclosed in the fine print of the advertisements stating, “Gov’t misc. fees/taxes and excursions not included.” The advertisements failed to state the amount of the taxes and failed to properly identify the September 11th Security Fee, which was excluded from the advertised base fare. As noted above, advertisements that include only general statements that do not allow consumers to calculate the entire price to be paid violate 14 CFR 399.84 and 49 U.S.C. § 41712 and advertisements that do not properly identify the September 11th Security Fee when it is excluded from the advertised base fare violate 49 U.S.C § 41712.

The order directs AAA to cease and desist from further violations and assesses the company $10,000 in civil penalties for the violations.

By: Rosalind Knapp