an ancillary fee

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an ancillary fee" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an additional charge that is not the primary cost but is related to a service or product. Example: "The hotel charges an ancillary fee for using the spa facilities during your stay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It does so on the ground that this revenue does not really constitute an ancillary fee.

The New York Times

To compare apples to apples by including the sale of miles, then, an ancillary fee revenue figure for 2010 might exceed $11 billion, consumer analysts said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Last year, revenue from all ancillary fees on the world's airlines surged 19.6 percent, to $27.1 billion, according to a report by IdeaWorks, a consulting company specializing in airline revenue.

The New York Times

The annual ancillary fee number is a major point of confusion.

The New York Times

There's also growing concern among consumer advocates about the effects of this new merged presence on international competition, fares and so-called fare and ancillary fee transparency in a global market where consolidation and reliance on international alliances and code-share route partnerships are growing.

The New York Times

For airlines, which are battling for profitability in an era of high and unstable fuel costs, ancillary fee revenue is increasingly crucial to the bottom line.

The New York Times

In 2009, the airlines reported total ancillary fee revenue of $7.8 billion, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, up from $5.5 billion in 2008.

The New York Times

Just how important can be gauged from revenue growth in the two biggest ancillary fee categories, checked bags and reservation changes.

The New York Times

Most ancillary fee revenue — more than 50 percent — comes from deals airlines have with various credit cards branded under the airline name, said Jay Sorensen, the president of IdeaWorks, a consulting firm.

The New York Times

It is critical that we pursue new revenue streams like our new baggage, merchandising, ancillary fee and other opportunities that are worth in excess of $1 billion per year over the next few years.

The New York Times

The proceeds from these credit cards fall under the general category of ancillary fee revenue, which these days make the difference between profit and loss on most domestic carriers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing fees, be transparent and clearly state if a charge is an "ancillary fee". This avoids confusion and builds trust with your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "an ancillary fee" to describe the primary cost of a service. It should only refer to additional, related charges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ancillary fee" functions as a noun phrase identifying a specific type of charge. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it is most often used in financial or business contexts to describe a non-primary cost associated with a service or product.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an ancillary fee" is a noun phrase that identifies a secondary or additional charge. As Ludwig AI illustrates, it's grammatically correct and most frequently used in news, media, and formal business contexts to specify extra costs associated with a product or service. While understood broadly, it is not interchangeable with the primary cost. For alternative phrasing, consider using "an additional charge" or "a supplementary fee". Always ensure clarity when discussing fees to maintain transparency and trustworthiness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an additional charge

Replaces "ancillary" with "additional", focusing on the extra cost.

a supplementary fee

Uses "supplementary" to indicate an extra or added fee.

an extra cost

Simplifies the phrase to denote any additional expense.

a surcharge

Refers to an additional charge levied on top of a base fee.

a supplemental expense

Indicates an additional or extra expense.

a tacked-on fee

Implies the fee is added, often unexpectedly.

a mandatory extra

Highlights that the extra charge is required.

an obligatory add-on

Suggests the extra charge is compulsory to the service.

a compulsory extra charge

Emphasizes the mandatory nature of the additional fee.

a non-inclusive charge

Highlights that the fee is not included in the initial price.

FAQs

What exactly constitutes "an ancillary fee" in the context of air travel?

In air travel, "an ancillary fee" refers to charges beyond the base fare, such as fees for checked baggage, seat selection, or in-flight meals.

How can I avoid paying "an ancillary fee" when booking a flight?

To avoid paying ancillary fees, consider packing light to avoid baggage fees, bringing your own snacks, and being flexible with your seat selection.

Are there alternatives to the phrase "an ancillary fee"?

You can use alternatives like "an additional charge", "a supplementary fee", or "an extra cost" depending on the context.

Why do airlines charge "an ancillary fee"?

Airlines charge ancillary fees to increase revenue beyond ticket sales, allowing them to offer lower base fares while still maintaining profitability.