Find Cheap Airfares - Tips and information on discount travel

photo credit: joanna8555

So you’ve booked some cheap airline tickets and now you’re ready to check your luggage, board your flight, prepare yourself for your in-flight movie, and munch on your peanuts…or not. Nowadays, finding the cheap ticket price is only half of the battle. Once you get to the airport, you can be bombarded with fees-some hidden and some not so hidden.

So what are these hidden fees that you should watch out for and how can you avoid them?

1. Luggage fees- Most airlines are now charging not just for the second bag, but for the first bag as well. Depending on the airline, the fee can be anywhere from $15 to $25 per bag. Ouch! You can either pay for the bag online, or when you get to the airport. Airlines that currently do not charge luggage fees for the first bags are Southwest and JetBlue. If you are flying international, expect the fees to be more in some cases.

Unfortunately, the only way to get around this is to either fly First Class or to only have carry-on luggage.

2. Booking fees- Some airlines are now charging up to $25 per ticket if you book your tickets in person. Suddenly, those cheap tickets being advertised at the airport don’t look so cheap anymore…Instead; book them online from a site like Expedia or Travelocity which do not charge booking fees.

by Paul Schultz

3. Pets. If you are going to have Fido in the cabin with you, expect to pay anywhere from $100-200 each way.

4. Seat selection. Yes, now even certain seats cost extra money. For example, if you are flying United Airlines, and you fly frequently, then you can always have the seat that you want…for $349 per year. If you are flying US Airways, then expect to pay $30 for a window seat. The good news is that most airlines are not charging for seat selection…yet.

5. In-flight food. Now, you can’t even get food for free anymore on most flights. A few flights are still giving away peanuts and drinks for free, but most are charging. International flights are still providing meals, however.

Unfortunately, the only way to get around this is to bring your own food. Since you are limited as to what you can bring through the security checkpoint, you might have to purchase it in the airport.

6. Blankets and pillows. Luckily, only 2 airlines are charging for these right now. US Airways and Virgin America both charge $7 and $12 respectively for “sleep sets” which include blankets, pillows, and a sleeping mask.

7. Overweight baggage fees. If your bags are more than 70 pounds, but less than 100 pounds, then you will probably have to pay anywhere from $50-125 to check them. This may or may not be in addition to the checked baggage fees. It varies by airline. If they’re over 100 pounds, good luck getting the airline to accept them at all.

Place the heaviest items in your carry-on bag. If you are taking heavy snow boots or a heavy coat, then wear them onto the plane to help reduce the weight. If you purchase something while you are gone, consider having it shipped home. It will probably be cheaper.

When purchasing your cheap airline tickets, first research the airline to find out what their fees are like. It might be that the cheap airline ticket that you bought is going to cost you more than it is worth.