Thoughtfully planned out vacation plans finalized onlyafter reviewing cheaptravel options, such as cheap airplane tickets, cheap fares, cheapdeals, discount hotel rooms, cheap auto rentals, discounttravel deals, and cheap vacation packages, canend up costing far more than budgeted because of unanticipated airline fees.
The following are common fees on domestic flights and tipson how to bypass, or at least lessen their impact, according to Eileen Ambrose:
Mostairlines charge to check bags, often $25 for the first bag, and as much as $150for the third bag, and even $200 for a fourth bag. If packing light is not an option, look intosigning up for an airline branded credit card since such cards sometimes comewith waivers to baggage fees if you purchase your ticket using the airlinesbranded credit card.
Whenflying ultralow fare airlines such as Allegiant or Spirit baggage fees arelower if you pay them at the time of making your reservation instead of laterat the airport. Some travelers try toavoid baggage fees by checking a bag at the gate, which is often, but notalways, free.
Oversizedor overweight luggage costs substantially more. Oversized fees often range from $75 to $200. Overweight bags cost $75 to $100, andsometimes as much as $200 for each bag over 70 lbs. Sometimes passengers have to pay two fees on individualbags that are both too big and too heavy. Make certain that your bag is not larger than the 62 inches allowed bymany airlines. Weigh your bag beforeheading to the airport and make certain that it is within the 50 lb.limit. Alternatively consider mailingyour bag in advance to your destination. Shipping a 51 lb. bag from Chicago to New York via FedEx ground costs aslittle as $41.
Thenations largest legacy airlines (American, Delta, and United) charge theircustomers $200 to change a domestic flight. Most tickets sold today are non-cancellable because the cost ofpurchasing a refundable ticket is prohibitive. Remember federal regulations require airlines operating in the U.S. torefund an airline ticket if you cancel a reservation within the first 24 hoursso long as you booked it seven or more days before departure.
Look for flexible airlines if your traveldates may change. Alaska Airlinescharges no fee if you make a change more than 60 days before departure. For $49Frontier offers The Works, a package of perks that includes a waiver ofchange fees.
Manyairlines now charge for seats that come with extra leg room or to sit by a windowor aisle. Seat fees range from $15 to$150 on domestic flights, depending on distance, demand, and the airline. For some tall travelers on long flights orfamilies wishing to sit together selecting seats in advance may be worth theextra cost. Some airlines waive ordiscount fees for frequent fliers. Alternatively, let the airline assign you a seat for free and then 24hours or less before departure check to see if a more desirable seat has becomeavailable.
Priorityboarding fees range from $4 to $30. Thisfee is worth it to passengers who want to make certain there is space to placetheir carry-ons in overhead bins. Certain airline branded credit cards allow users to avoid this fee.
Whileairlines do not charge for a single small personal item, such as a purse orbriefcase, a bag that is too big to fit under the seat in front of you and mustbe placed in bin space can cost between $15 to $100 on ultra-low-cost airlinesincluding Allegiant, Frontier, and Spirit. Uniteds new bare bones fares do not allow passengers to use binspace, and charge $25 to check each oversized personal item.
Maincabin passengers are charged $4 to $12 for a snack or a sandwich. While major airlines do not charge for sodas,water, pretzels, or other similar light snacks, such freebies generally are notavailable from deep-discount airlines. Free meals are available to certain elite status frequent flierpassengers or select airline credit card holders. Otherwise, pack a snack for the flight anddrink only free beverages.
Talkingto a real person when making a reservation often costs money. Allegiant charges $15 for each stop on anitinerary. American assesses $25 topurchase a ticket over the phone. Unitedcharges $50 to buy a ticket in person at the airport. To avoid these fees either buy your ticketsonline or fly with an airline that does not charge this fee.
Certainairlines charge fees to have an airline agent print out your boarding pass(Allegiant $5, Spirit $10) at the airport. Make certain that you print your boarding pass from home for free if youwill be flying with an airline that charges to print boarding passes at theairport.
WhileJetBlue offers internet access for free, other airlines usually charge $8 to$16 for a daily pass. Consider travelingwith a book. If you are determined tosurf the net in the air, check with your airline before departure. Some offer limited internet access for free,or will provide a discount when paid in advance for this service.
www.cheapfares.com