Vocab question no. 54: fare/charge/fee/rate

Question

Hello there,

In this post I'd like to kindly ask for your help regarding these words: charge, fee, fare

1) fare - I suppose this word is almost exclusively used in relation to means of transportation but I'm not sure. Is it correct to say What's the base taxi fare in Beijing? (I mean the money that is not counted based on the kilometers the driver makes)

2) charge - I guess this word is a verb.

3) fee - I think we could say for example: water fee, electricity fee

4) rate

Which of these words would you use in the following conversation:

A: How much would you like to ger per hour?
B: I usually charge 50USD per hour/My rate is 50USD an hour/My fee is 50USD an hour.

Thanks a million.

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

Perfect Stranger1) fare - I suppose this word is almost exclusively used in relation to means of transportation

Yes. There are air fares and taxi fares, and ferry fares.

Perfect Stranger2) charge - I guess this word is a verb.

It is also a noun.

The charge for the service will be $50.

Perfect Stranger3) fee - I think we could say for example: water fee, electricity fee

A fee can be something extra added to the total cost. For example, a university has tuition and fees (library fees, student union fees, etc.) If you buy a book on-line, there is a delivery fee and service fee. The fee is mandatory.

Fees are usually for services performed, not the main product. They can be associated with units of time.

Perfect Stranger4) rate

Rate is always associated with units of time or distance.
The taxi fare is computed at a rate of $2.50 per km, plus $2.50 per minute of wait time, plus a fixed service fee.

Perfect Stranger · Answer

Alpheca, thank you so much for a detailed explanation of each of those words. I appreciate it greatly.

1) Would you please spare me another minute or two and have a look at these sentences?

I usually charge 50USD per hour. ---> I suppose this one is correct.
My rate is 50USD an hour. ---> Based on your explanation I'd say that this sentence is incorrect.
My fee is 50USD an hour. ---> This one leaves me a bit perplexed but yet again I'd say it's incorrect.

2) I've got one more question, this time concerning taxis. I'm vaguely familiar with these 4 words but I'm afraid I have to ask for your assistance.

upfront fee - Is it the "base" (if I may call it like that) fee that a taxi driver counts into the overall fare no matter how many kilometers a customer wants to go

surcharge - May I use this word when referring to any extra costs? For instance The upfront fee is 8USD and then anything beyond that is a surcharge.

fixed fee - I guess this word is similar to the upfront fee

flag fall - my Australian friend told me this word is/was used in taxis in Australia... I guess it's something like the upfront fee but I'm not quite sure.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

I usually charge 50USD per hour. ---> I suppose this one is correct.
My rate is 50USD an hour. ---> Based on your explanation I'd say that this sentence is incorrect. It is correct if you have said what you do for the money. eg. I clean houses. My rate is ...
My fee is 50USD an hour. ---> This one leaves me a bit perplexed but yet again I'd say it's incorrect. It is not incorrect in that people will understand what you mean. But it is not the usual usage for "fee."

upfront fee - Is it the "base" (if I may call it like that) fee that a taxi driver counts into the overall fare no matter how many kilometers a customer wants to go. Yes, there is normally a minimum amount, even if you get out of the cab after 2 meters.

surcharge - May I use this word when referring to any extra costs? For instance The upfront fee is 8USD and then anything beyond that is a surcharge. Yes, for example there might be a surcharge for carrying extra heavy suitcases, extra passengers, rush-hour traffic, or if the driver has to pay a toll. The surcharge is in addition to the base charge and the mileage charge.

flag fall - my Australian friend told me this word is/was used in taxis in Australia... I guess it's something like the upfront fee but I'm not quite sure. A taxi used to have a small signal flag that is raised and lowered to turn the fare meter off and on. When a fare gets into the cab, the driver lowers the flag, that starts the meter running.

Perfect Stranger · Answer

Alpehcca, once again - thank you for such a detailed explanation. Let me ask please one or two follow-up questions.

1) Would you say that a mileage charge and fare are the same meaning-wise? Here's a definition of the word fare:

the price of conveyance or passage in a bus, train, airplane, or other vehicle

2) Can the mileage charge be considered as a surcharge?

3) About the flag fall again... I can't come up with a sentence that would include this word. I don't think it's possible to say What's/How much is the flag fall in/on taxis in Australia? I'm not sure how to use this word.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

1) Would you say that a mileage charge and fare are the same meaning-wise? Here's a definition of the word fare:

the price of conveyance or passage in a bus, train, airplane, or other vehicle

No. A fare is usually the total amount. A fare is for an airline ticket (it might not include optional amounts such as a surcharge for extra baggage.) At the end of a taxi ride, you pay the fare, which varies depending on the distance and time you travelled.

2) Can the mileage charge be considered as a surcharge?
Only if it is an option that depends on circumstances. For example, during rush hour, there is a surcharge of $1.00 per km. This is added to the normal rate.

3) About the flag fall again... I can't come up with a sentence that would include this word.
I can't either. I have not been to Australia. They speak a dialect of English and have lots of their own slang.

Vocab question no. 54: fare/charge/fee/rate

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions