Airport Bookstore Sparks Outrage After Charging Passenger an Employee Retention Fee at Self-Checkout

We all know most airport prices are ridiculously high. Whether you’re buying a bottle of water, grabbing a sandwich or picking up a last-minute souvenir, you’re almost guaranteed to pay more than you would outside the airport. But one traveler recently discovered an extra charge on their receipt that has created outrage on Reddit and raised questions about how much airport businesses should be allowed to charge customers.

According to a Reddit post shared in the r/EndTipping community, a passenger purchased a copy of The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald for $21.99 at an airport bookstore. The receipt showed $2.01 in sales tax and an additional $0.66 charge labeled as an employee benefits and retention fee.

Mandatory employee fee at bookstore when I used self checkout.
by
u/alternativo- in
EndTipping

The kicker? The passenger used self-checkout. That’s right. The customer scanned and paid for the book themselves but was still charged an additional fee intended to help the business cover employee-related expenses.

Reddit users aren’t happy

Not surprisingly, the post generated plenty of frustration among Reddit users, many of whom questioned why customers should be responsible for paying extra to help a business retain its employees.

One commenter, NobskaWoodsHole, wrote: “You have no obligation or responsibility to ‘retain’ the vendor’s employees. That’s their problem and you should not be required to pay the owner for eating there.”

Another commenter, SignalOptions, joked: “They should care more about customer retention than employee retention lol.”

Reddit user BronCurious was skeptical about where the money actually goes, writing: “This money ain’t going to the employees anyway”

That’s an allegation, not a verified fact, but it illustrates the distrust many customers have developed toward these types of surcharges.

Meanwhile, Volvulus argued that the United States should adopt more transparent pricing practices: “I think the US just needs to be ban additional charges in general. Like other countries, the cost of an item should include tax, surcharges, etc.”

And joshpennington summed up what many travelers are probably thinking: “This hidden fee stuff is out of control. They need to change the laws so things are marked what they actually cost.”

Why are airport stores charging employee retention fees?

Here’s where the story gets interesting. The surcharge isn’t necessarily something the bookstore invented on its own. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey approved a policy allowing eligible concessionaires at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International airports to add an employee benefits and retention surcharge of up to 3% to qualifying purchases.

The idea is to help businesses offset certain labor-related costs and support employee retention. However, just because a fee is permitted doesn’t mean travelers have to like it. And it certainly doesn’t eliminate questions about whether customers are being adequately informed before making a purchase.

In this case, the $0.66 surcharge represented approximately 3% of the $21.99 book price.

The total came to $24.66, meaning the traveler paid $2.67 more than the advertised price after tax and the additional surcharge.

My take: Just include the fee in the price

I understand that operating a business inside an airport is expensive. Airport retailers have to deal with high rents, security requirements, staffing challenges and other costs that traditional stores don’t necessarily face.

But here’s my question: Why not simply include those costs in the advertised price?

If a book costs $22.65 before tax, price it at $22.65. Don’t advertise it for $21.99 and then surprise customers with an additional employee retention fee at checkout.

What makes this particular incident especially frustrating is that the traveler used self-checkout. While employees are still needed to stock shelves, maintain the store and assist customers, charging an employee retention fee when customers are doing the checkout work themselves isn’t exactly a great look.

And let’s face it, travelers are already dealing with enough extra charges, from baggage fees and seat assignment fees to hotel resort fees and other unexpected expenses. The last thing they need is another surprise on their receipt.

Travel tip: Always check your airport receipts

This story is a good reminder to pay attention to the final price before completing a purchase, especially at airports where travelers are often rushed or distracted.

Here are a few things I recommend:

1. Check the checkout screen before paying. Look for additional surcharges or service fees beyond the listed price and applicable taxes.
2. Read posted signs. Some airport businesses may disclose extra charges near the register or elsewhere in the store.
3. Review your receipt. Even small fees can add up, especially when you’re purchasing meals, snacks and other items for the whole family.
4. Ask questions. If you notice an unfamiliar charge, ask an employee or manager what it covers and whether it’s mandatory.
5. Compare prices. If you have time, check other airport vendors or consider purchasing what you need before arriving at the airport.

The bottom line is that airport businesses have every right to cover their operating costs, but travelers deserve to know what they’re paying before they hand over their credit cards.

What do you think? Should airport stores be allowed to add employee retention fees, or should those costs already be included in the advertised price?

H/T: Daily Mail report