Top Hidden Airline Fees: Know Before You Go!
June 13, 2009 by Diana
Filed under Travel Tips
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Locating and booking a really great price on airfare is an exhilarating find. But examine the fine print closely; many airlines impose hidden charges that can end up costing you a lot more than you had planned and budgeted!
Generally, when using either web travel search engines or a travel agent, the fares that are offered from Point A to Point are inclusive of the airfare itself. Every traveler knows that there will be taxes added, as well as surcharges such as fuel surcharges. But there are numerous other possible fees and charges that could be added that you are not told about at the time of booking your trip, and could add up to a substantial sum!
Every airline has its own list of fees and charges. It is definitely in the best interests of the traveler to know which airlines charge for specific features and how much they charge in order to help make an informed decision on which airline to book with to get the very lowest prices.
Some of the top hidden airline fees that could “trip” up your budget include:
- 1st checked bag
- 2nd and additional checked bags
- Oversized bags
- Overweight bags
- Pets
- Ticket change fees
- Booking fees
- Unaccompanied minors
- Food on flight
- Seat Preference fees
- Frequent Flyer fees
- Miscellaneous fees
The amount of the fee charged will vary from airline to airline. For example, Delta, United, American and Northwest charge $15.00 for the first piece of luggage the traveler checks. Spirit will charge $15.00 as well if the baggage is checked online; however, waiting to check that same bag at the airport will raise that rate to $25.00. Some airlines, such as Southwest, Midwest, AirTran and Virgin do not charge for the first bag to be checked.
Charging for seat preference began two years ago, although this is a charge that most people know nothing about. Northwest Airlines was the first to charge the fee, but several others soon followed. And the types of preference will dictate the charge on many; exit rows can be as much as $20.00 on each flight segment with some airlines. United Airlines charges as much as $109.00 per flight to accommodate some seat preferences!
[smartads]Miscellaneous fees are a grey area with many airlines. Flying standby now carries a fee with most major airlines. JetBlue instituted a fee for using pillows and blankets on board their flights, but does compensate some of the cost with a gift certificate to Bed, Bath and Beyond stores. A truly oddball charge is with Frontier Airlines, a company based in Denver, Colorado who charges $100 to carry on a set of antlers. Yes, antlers.
Because the fees vary so greatly from airline to airline, travelers need to be aware of the charges that are imposed before booking their flights. To check for hidden fees that could impact the cost of your next air flight, check the website, http://wiki.smartertravel.com/index.php/Airline_Fees#Chart_of_fees_for_domestic_carriers. Compare the fees as they might apply to your particular situation; knowing which hidden airline fees could be imposed will make you a more informed consumer.
