Flight charges and ticketing fees often add unexpected costs to air travel. What initially appears as a reasonable ticket price can quickly increase with baggage fees, fuel surcharges, and various service charges. These additional costs, though standard in the industry, can make budgeting for a trip more challenging. Singer Monali Thakur recently shared a hilarious experience on Instagram while trying to book a flight with IndiGo via its official website.
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The singer noticed a strange pricing quirk when applying a 15 per cent discount (up to Rs 2,000 off on transactions above Rs 5,000). Instead of going down, her total fare went up, from an initial Rs 7,272 to Rs 7,371, as seen on her Instagram video. “15 per cent mere pe laga diya charge?” she said laughing. (“Did you put a 15 per cent charge on me?”) “Wo apne upar discount code de rahe the?” (“Were they giving the discount code on themselves?”)
Still giggling at the screen, Monali next questioned the airline's “cute” charge. “What is a cute charge? Are you charging me for being cute? Rs 50? Am I only this cute?” she joked.
The video carried the caption, “Waah.”
Watch the full video below:
The video soon went viral.
A user commented, “She is cute.”
Another wrote, “It's so funny.”
“The cute charge should be higher,” a comment read.
Someone explained, “Because out of multiple discount options, by default they apply the best discount… and if you select any other option, the previous discount gets removed.”
“This is called business, mam,” read a comment.
Turns out, the “CUTE” fee is actually a Common User Terminal Equipment charge. It is a passenger handling fee that covers the use of metal-detecting machines, escalators, and other airport equipment.
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Earlier, IndiGo, in response to another user on X, explained, “Cute charges refer to the Common User Terminal Equipment charge. It is basically the amount that is charged for the use of metal-detecting machines, escalators, and other equipments that are being used at the airport.”
Hi, we would like to inform you that the Cute charges refer to the Common User Terminal Equipment charge. It is basically the amount that is charged for the use of metal-detecting machines, escalators, and other equipments that are being used at the airport. (1/3)
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) August 19, 2024
What is the strangest flight charge you have seen? Let us know in the comments below!
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