Sam Kemmis | NerdWallet

First it was Ubers. Then it was Wendy’s hamburgers (except the fast food chain clarified it was technically dynamic pricing, not surge pricing). But now, the real deal — surge pricing — is targeting your checked bags.

JetBlue quietly (sneakily?) introduced “peak” and “off-peak” pricing to its checked bag fees on March 22, a fact the world was alerted to because my editor happened to check the JetBlue website. That means you have to pay $5 to $10 more each way for checked bags on JetBlue when flying during busy travel times, such as the summer, much of the winter and some random weeks in the spring.

It’s a classic example of surge pricing — a type of dynamic pricing where companies only increase prices during times of high demand, but don’t lower pricing during times of low demand.

Technically, these new dynamic baggage fees won’t affect all customers like the blanket increases some other airlines, such as Alaska and Delta, recently added. Yet they also mean more complication and confusion for customers who are trying to figure out which airline offers the lowest total price for a given route.

Dynamic prices are nothing new in the travel industry. In fact, prices that rise and fall based on the balance of supply and demand are taken for granted in everything from airfare to hotel rooms and rental cars.

What’s new is how these companies are fluctuating the price of the add-on fees many travelers are growing to deplore.

And airlines are increasingly relying on these add-on fees for revenue. In 2023, airlines made a record $117.9 billion worldwide in ancillary fees, according to airline consulting firm IdeaWorksCompany and car rental technology platform CarTrawler. About $33.3 billion of that was baggage fees.

Some industry experts say the move to more fluid fee prices has been a long time coming.

“Airlines have had capabilities for years to price fares based on demand. Why not other fees as well?” says Jay Sorensen, president of IdeaWorksCompany.

Sorenson notes that many airlines have been dynamically adjusting the price of seat assignment fees for years. The cost of choosing a window seat near the front of the plane for a particular flight might cost more in December than in February because of increased demand.

Yet, it seems like airlines have been so preoccupied with whether they can make more money from increasingly complex fee structures that they haven’t stopped to think about whether they should.

What makes a fare fair?

It all comes down to how we think travel companies should price their products. Sorenson thinks we are holding airlines to a standard to which we don’t hold other retailers.

“Shopping for an airline seat is like shopping at a grocery store,” he says. “If the grocery store was required to tell you beforehand how much you were going to spend, it would be ludicrous.”

Related Articles

The latest in go gear from the 2024 Travel Goods Show

Lush foliage, dazzling beaches, deep traditions put Fiji’s hundreds of islands on the map

Airbnb updates cancellation policy: What travelers need to know

Which airlines pay pilots the most?

Peace and quiet called my name. I found it at a Turks and Caicos resort

The base fare is more like the shopping cart into which we toss other add-ons, such as seat assignments, premium seating upgrades and baggage. It’s up to the consumer to compare prices at different airlines, just as it’s on them to compare prices at different grocery stores.

If JetBlue wants to charge more for eggs (baggage) near the holidays, we can decide whether we want to pay the premium or shop with an airline that doesn’t, according to Sorenson.

But I would counter by saying that charging extra for checked baggage on peak dates is more akin to charging extra for the carton that carries your eggs. It feels like a tacked-on “gotcha” fee meant to sneak under most consumers’ radar rather than a meaningful price for a meaningful good.

Whatever you think about dynamic travel fees, it’s clear that they’ll become more common than less in the coming years. What can you do?

Tips for navigating dynamic fees

It’s not reasonable to keep track of which travel providers are charging which fees at which times. I can barely do it, and it’s my entire job.

Instead, it’s worth getting a sense of which airlines tend to charge higher fees overall, and, frankly, avoiding those brands if you want any add-ons at all.

For example, Frontier Airlines charges $157 each way in basic add-on fees while Southwest Airlines charges $0, according to the latest NerdWallet analysis.

So the simplest tip is to fly on Southwest Airlines. It doesn’t have dynamic prices for fees because it has so few fees, period. Two checked bags per person are free.

If that’s not feasible, you might consider getting a co-branded airline credit card, many of which offer free checked bags. Because baggage fees are becoming increasingly complex, this type of credit card lets you avoid the headache of dealing with them altogether, just as paying for Spotify Premium lets you avoid those terrible ads.

Finally, skip seat selection fees if you possibly can. These fees are sneaky and difficult to compare between airlines, but they’re almost always optional. And, as Sorensen points out, they are essentially charging for something that costs the airlines nothing.

“When something is pure margin, my advice to airlines is ‘don’t be so greedy,’” he says.

 

The article Dynamic Pricing Is Coming for Everything in Travel originally appeared on NerdWallet.

Dev Patel clearly knew the comparisons to “John Wick” would be inescapable.

Thus, “Monkey Man,” his violent tale of a young man hell-bent on vengeance — inspired as much as anything, Patel says, by Korean action cinema — wisely namedrops the hit action flick starring Keanu Reeves that, to date, has spawned three sequels and a spin-off series.

Heck, there’s even a cute dog. (Don’t worry. It lives.)

Patel makes a highly impressive debut as a director with “Monkey Man,” a film in which he also stars, serves as a producer and co-wrote. He also gets the lone story-by credit.

“Monkey Man” feels only so much like “Wick,” at least until its bloody, turn-your-head-at-times final act. If not quite grounded in reality, this film is based in something closer to it than what the “Wick”-verse has come to offer.

Plus, being set in modernized India — Batam, Indonesia, stood in for an Indian city during the film’s principal photography — and the incorporation of the Hindu deity Hanuman helps make “Monkey Man” more interesting from a cultural perspective.

We are introduced to Patel’s character, Kid, when he is a boy, being told stories of Hanuman by his loving mother, Neela (Adithi Kalkunte). We then cut to present day, as Kid — wearing a monkey mask as an homage to Hanuman — competes at an underground fight club run by the sleazy Tiger (a fun-as-always Sharlto Copley) to make ends meet. At this point in the story, Kid is a good enough fighter to put on a good show before taking a fall for some extra cash. (There’s even a “bleed bonus.”)

Sharlto Copley portrays Tiger in a scene from “Monkey Man.” (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

Kid has his eyes on a different gig, any job within King’s Club, a high-end brothel. He gets his wish after a carefully orchestrated encounter with the ruthless, chain-smoking woman who runs it, Queenie (Ashwini Kalsekar). To execute his secret plan, he must get promoted and gain access to the VIP areas, so he befriends glorified gofer Alphonso (a consistently entertaining Pitobash) and soon is serving drinks to powerful men.

Related Articles

Review: Colin Farrell in Apple TV+ ‘Sugar,’ an LA story with a love-it-or-hate-it twist

‘Wicked Little Letters’ review: Punchy period piece powered by playful profanity

‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ roars to an $80 million box office opening

Review: ‘Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire’ is a worthy ‘When Hairy Met Scaly II’

‘Shirley’ review: Now on Netflix, the story of the first Black congresswoman on the ’72 campaign trail

And, oh boy, Kid does not like when those men lay their hands on the women the club employs to entertain them — especially the beautiful Sita (Sobhita Dhulipala).

Sobhita Dhulipala, center, portrays Sita in “Monkey Man.” (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

However, he works to keep his eyes on the prize: corrupt police officer Rana (Sikandar Kher). (The reason Kid wants revenge on this man will become clear, as will the origin of the scars that cover our hero’s hands.)

When Kid moves against Rana — in a bathroom complete with a large aquarium — he meets more resistance than he’d bargained for and must run for his life.

To this point, Patel exhibits confident and skilled direction, “Monkey Man” boasting the kind of unusual camera angles and quick cuts — courtesy of director of photography Sharone Meir and editor David Jancso, respectively — that quickly could become exhausting if not handled so deftly.

All in all, this first act is downright stunning.

With the second, Patel over-course-corrects, giving the viewer a much-needed break from the action — especially considering what’s to come — as Kid heals among a group of people led by the wise Alpha (Vipin Sharma). It’s all a tad too snoozy, though — at least until the recovered Kid begins the obligatory training for the fight to come and is given tempo backing by an enthusiastic percussionist. (Hey, we think what we’re calling “bongo boxing” could catch on.)

Dev Patel’s Kid recovers from the initial battle in a scene from “Monkey Man.” (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

The final chapter of “Monkey Man” delivers the high body count for which we’d been waiting. As nifty (and disturbing) as many of the mini sequences are, “Monkey Man” becomes a bit numbing in the way similar action movies can.

In front of the camera, Patel is a compelling lead, which is no surprise given past films such as “Slumdog Millionaire” (2008), “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” (2011) or “Lion” (2016). However, Kid is a far cry from the gentle souls he played in those films. He is out to conflict pain and suffering on those he believes deserve it, and Patel sells it convincingly, down to the muscle he added at some point.

Dev Patel’s Kid channels the path on his quest for vengeance in “Monkey Man.” (Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

Originally, “Monkey Man” was bound for a streaming platform, before gaining the attention of Monkeypaw Productions, the company founded by filmmaker Jordan Peele (“Get Out,” “Nope”), and shifting to a theatrical release. This is a film worthy of a big screen.

And given its strengths, it’s more than worthy of a follow-up. That said, there’s something at least a little special about this one, and we wouldn’t mind if it doesn’t lead to, say, three more movies and a TV series.

‘Monkey Man’

Where: Theaters.

When: April 5.

Rated: R for strong bloody violence throughout, language throughout, sexual content/nudity and drug use.

Runtime: 2 hours, 2 minutes.

Stars (of four): 3.

 

 

 

Ashley Kimler | (TNS) Bankrate.com

Grieving the loss of a loved one is an emotionally and mentally challenging experience. Still, amid the turmoil of the grieving process, it’s essential to address the deceased’s financial matters and protect their credit information. Requesting a credit freeze is a crucial first step.

By following this process, you can safeguard their financial status and protect yourself and other loved ones from potential fraud or identity theft.

Why a credit freeze is necessary after a loved one’s death

A credit freeze is like a lock on someone’s credit report, making it harder for identity thieves to use their information for fraud.

When a loved one passes away, their financial details become vulnerable. Freezing their credit will:

—Prevent identity theft

—Prevent new accounts from being fraudulently opened under their name

—Protect sensitive information

Without a credit freeze, the deceased’s personal data, such as their Social Security number (SSN), could be stolen and used to open credit cards or other financial accounts. Some criminals use obituaries, death certificates and other information to steal the identities of people who have died. They might open new accounts or commit other crimes under the deceased’s name, causing problems for living relatives.

Freezing credit makes it much tougher for thieves to open new accounts or misuse existing ones.

How to report a death to the credit bureaus

Initiating a credit freeze for a deceased loved one involves a few straightforward steps:

1. Gather your loved one’s personal details

Before you notify the credit bureaus of a loved one’s death, you’ll need to collect certain information and documentation:

—The complete legal name of the deceased individual as it appears on official documents.

—The deceased person’s SSN, which is crucial for identifying their credit file.

—The date of birth of the deceased individual.

—The date when the individual passed away.

—A copy of their death certificate.

Your own identification may also be required if you’re the spouse or shared a credit file with the departed.

If you’re not the spouse, you may need to submit proof that you’re authorized to act on behalf of the deceased, such as a copy of a will, executor agreement or power of attorney documentation.

Having this information readily available will ensure a smooth and efficient process when you contact the credit bureaus.

2. Write letters to notify the credit bureaus

The three major credit bureaus, Transunion, Equifax and Experian, must be notified of the death. The first bureau you contact will notify the other two on your behalf.

However, one bureau cannot necessarily initiate a credit freeze across all three bureaus. So, you should contact all three bureaus and send copies of all necessary documents with each letter.

Use this simple template to notify the credit bureaus of your loved one’s death and request a credit freeze:

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[City, State, Zip Code]

[Your Phone Number]

[Date]

[Credit Bureau’s Name]

[Credit Bureau’s Address]

[City, State, Zip Code]

Subject: Notification of Death and Request for Credit Freeze

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to inform you of the passing of [Name of Deceased], [relationship to you, e.g., my spouse]. [He/She] passed away on [Date of Death]. I kindly request that you freeze [his/her] credit report to prevent any potential fraud or unauthorized access.

Enclosed is a copy of [Name of Deceased]’s death certificate as proof. Please freeze [his/her] credit report and mark it as “deceased — do not issue credit.”

I would also like to request a final copy of [Name of Deceased]’s credit report for my records.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Please confirm with me when you have received the notification and that a credit freeze has been placed.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

You can customize this template and include any information appropriate to your situation. Be sure to save a copy for your records.

Once you’ve drafted your letter, you can send it to one or all of the major credit bureaus via postal mail. Be sure to attach copies of identifying documents and send each letter via certified mail.

Appropriate contact addresses for notifying credit bureaus of a death are as follows:

Transunion, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016

Experian, P.O. Box 9701, Allen, TX 75013

Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 105139, Atlanta, GA 30348-5139

Times for the credit freeze may vary. Transunion will update the individual’s credit report within five days of receiving the documents and send you a confirmation letter. Experian will add a death notice to your loved one’s credit report upon receiving notification from the Social Security Administration or the requestor. Equifax will add a death notice to your departed’s credit report upon receiving the documents.

3. Confirm the freeze and ensure the account is flagged as deceased

After sending your request to the credit bureaus, confirm that they have initiated the credit freeze and properly flagged the deceased individual’s account:

—Allow some time for the credit bureaus to process your request. This typically takes a few days or up to a couple of weeks.

—Reach out to each of the three major credit bureaus — TransUnion, Experian and Equifax — either via phone or online.

—Ask them to verify that they have received your request to freeze the deceased individual’s credit report.

—Ask if the deceased’s account has been appropriately flagged as “deceased — do not issue credit” to protect their information from potential fraud.

5. Request a copy of your loved one’s credit report

While you are in contact with the credit bureaus, you should also request a copy of your loved one’s credit report. This will confirm that the report has been marked “deceased” and that a permanent credit freeze is in place.

You can also use the credit report to assess your loved one’s financial standing. Read the credit report carefully to identify any discrepancies and all outstanding accounts, and note any accounts that need your attention.

How to settle your loved one’s financial affairs

Once you’ve taken steps to freeze credit, it’s important to deal with your loved one’s outstanding financial obligations.

You might inherit some of their debts if you’re their spouse or beneficiary. Whether you’re on the hook to repay those debts depends on the terms of the accounts and your state’s laws. In some cases, a transfer of debt responsibility upon death is unavoidable.

For instance, if you jointly held debts with your loved one, like mortgages or shared credit card accounts, you could be responsible for them, no matter who made the charges. Similarly, if someone cosigned a loan or credit card for the deceased, they’ll be responsible for that debt.

If the deceased had a home equity loan on an inherited house, the heir would have to repay it. Timeshares and their maintenance fees will also fall on heirs if their names are on the deed.

Family members who authorized medical treatment may have to pay any uncovered medical bills, depending on state laws and document terms.

Contact your loved one’s creditors to:

—Close accounts

—Manage tax paperwork

—Settle outstanding balances

In some situations, accounts may be closed automatically when a person passes away. However, some accounts may still require settlement, either partially or fully, even after the account holder’s death.

The bottom line

A credit freeze for a deceased loved one is a crucial step to safeguard their financial legacy. By taking the right steps and organizing important documents, you can safeguard their private information and handle financial matters with minimal stress.

Take each step with care — and seek professional assistance if needed — to honor your loved one’s financial well-being even after they’re gone.

Frequently asked questions

—How do you close your dead relative’s accounts?

Make multiple copies of the death certificate and notify each of your relatives with this proof. Request account closure and settle any past-due balances when necessary. Monitor your relative’s credit reports for fraud while you’re waiting for a credit freeze to take effect with the bureaus.

—Do you need to notify the IRS when someone dies?

Yes. When someone dies, you or the appointed representative need to file the deceased person’s final tax return. On this return, you must indicate the person’s death. At present, the IRS doesn’t require any other notification of the death, but you should always look to irs.gov for up-to-date tax information.

—Can a credit freeze be lifted temporarily, such as for estate-related transactions?

A credit freeze can be temporarily lifted upon request. However, lifting a freeze can expose the account holder’s credit information to fraud risk.

(Visit Bankrate online at bankrate.com.)

©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.