Savvy frequent fliers are usually able to find cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, and discount travel packages. The real challenge is in keep those fares cheap in the face of additional increasing airline fees on top of their base fares.
Six large U.S. airlines charge priority boarding fees. Spirit Airlines is the first to charge for carry-on bags that do not fit under passenger seats.
Even though airline fees are the bane of many travelers, such fees are resulting in record revenues for the airlines. U.S. airlines earned $2.1 billion in ancillary revenue in the second quarter of this year, which included almost $893 million in checked luggage fees and approximately $600 million from changed reservations charges. Total ancillary revenue was up 16 percent for the quarter.
Fee revenue was made up in part from the following sources:
Most airlines charge either $23 to $25 for the first checked bag. Only JetBlue and Southwest do not charge to check a single bag. Last year four airlines did not charge to check bags, with other airlines charging $15.
The most costly change fee for a coach ticket has increased to $300 from $250 which American charges of select international flights. International change fees typically top out at other airlines at $250.
The costliest fee to be given priority boarding is the $39 charged by United, which also offers less expensive priority boarding fees.
The most expensive charge for a preferred seat on select United flights has increased to $159 vs. $119 in June of 09. Such seats provide five additional inches of leg room than other coach seats.
American, Continental, Hawaiian, and US Airways charge $20 to passengers who request receipts after they have flown, though there is a grace period that varies between 7 to 30 days after the flight before such fees are charged.
www.cheapfares.com