How to prevent sneaky airline fees

This post is by staff writer April Dykman.

Last Friday I arrived home from New York after a week of Broadway, museums, twinkling lights and holiday must consume more cannoli from any person. (Bogu, I spent much time walking them!) A visit to the city in December is in my life list of things I wanted to do so, and it does not disappoint.

Of course New York is not cheap. But my husband and stayed with a friend, which meant we do not have to pay for the hotel room, and we lucked into a number of special offers. For example, our friend uses its corporate discount for reduced price tickets at the Metropolitan Museum of art, and we pass the $ 25 tickets for Wicked at the front row seats to a lottery drawing held two hours before the concert. I also be prepared itself to expect higher prices, so that I can relax a bit and enjoy the first major holiday we have taken in almost three years. I can say in all honesty, that every expense is worth it-especially cannoli.

But you want to know what the costs are worth it? New charge airlines charge for everything! Check two bags? This will be $ 60. Do you want a pillow? This is $ 7, and we only credit cards.

Fortunately, we avoid paying these taxes, because we have incredible willpower takes to transfer airplane food – delicious as it is, and we only one hand. But while writing this article, I learned that if we were of spirit airlines, we would pay $ 60 for two additional hand bags. And I learned that not all these new fees are disclosed in advance.

Sneaky fees or buffet services?
Airlines say additional fees to maintain the overall ticket prices low, allowing passengers to pay only for the services they want. But some of these fees pop the end of the transaction or the passenger has checked in luggage, making it feel like "a menu of services" and less more like your style – shakedown crowd may refuse the offer. If you want to catch your flight, i.e.

One group works to require fee transparency is Mad as Hell for hidden charges (MAH). Initiative of the American Society of travel agencies, business travel coalition and consumer travel Alliance starts petition urging MAH of the US Department of transportation requires airlines to their fees in full and readily available to consumers and firms in the sector of the journey. "

In a press release Paul Ruden, Senior Vice President of legal and Industry Affairs for the American Society of travel agencies, said:

This problem is not for the fees and for justice. Although more than half of all tickets booked through traditional or online travel agencies, airlines have chosen to hide their fees by systems that these reservations for power. Airlines should be able to make fair profits and specified rates and charges, which enable them to do so, tourists can see and compare these charges in advance.

According to the online survey, two-thirds of his have been surprised by the addition fees upon arrival at the airport. Another study showed that the hidden fees may increase the initial price of the ticket for the typical traveler with one bag 10 to 82% or 21-153% for the traveler with two bags.

Not all charges disclosed online
Well I thought, why not just look for the charges before you book? In fact, it is difficult if not impossible, to find all charges on the website of the airline. Consumer Travel ALLIANCE put together a video of their attempt to find the add-on fee amounts from seven different airline Web sites:

Note the fees for the "gotcha"
Unfortunately it is not always possible to get around an extra charge, but being aware of some of these common can help you. Following is surprising additions to note and to avoid:

Earlier this year of the Department of transportation has announced that it has offered the provisions on the protection of air travelers against hidden costs and is accepting public comment through September 23, the date WHERE THE declared Mad as Hell day! and present its petition. Perhaps the day will come when all fees are clearly listed in the airline's Web site, but until then, check, sites like Expedia and Airfarewatchdog airline fee chart, as well as the Ultimate guide to airline smartertravel.com.

You ever "gotcha" fee charged by airlines? Share your stories and tips in the comments!

This article is for travel

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