Roberta Aguirre
Booking flights online is often accompanied by a range of fees, from Carrier Interface Charges to Passenger Usage Charges, which can add up to a significant amount. While not all fees can be avoided, there are ways to minimise these costs. One way is to book your flights in person at the airport, as some airlines waive certain fees for tickets purchased at their airport counters. However, this option may not always be convenient or feasible, and it's important to consider the time and cost of travelling to the airport. Additionally, some airlines offer discounts and perks to customers who sign up for their membership schemes, allowing them to accumulate points that can be used for future flights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airlines that allow booking at the airport | Allegiant Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country, Iberia, British Airways, American Airlines, Breeze |
| Fee avoided | Electronic Carrier Usage Charge, Passenger Usage Charge, Carrier Interface Charge, Technology Development Charge, seat fees |
| Fee amount | $18-$23 each way, $36-$44 round trip |
| Benefits | Avoiding the fee, seat selection, adding bags |
| Drawbacks | Inconvenience, missing out on online discounts, limited schedule, long queues |
| Other ways to avoid fees | Airline credit cards, car seat bags, gate-checking bags, family seating, airline membership schemes |
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What You'll Learn
Avoid online booking fees by purchasing at the airport
When booking a flight, it is possible to avoid online booking fees by purchasing your ticket at the airport. Many airlines charge a fee for booking online, which can be avoided by purchasing your ticket in person at the airline's ticket counter inside the airport.
For example, Allegiant Airlines charges an "Electronic Carrier Usage Charge" of $18 each way, which equates to $36 for a round trip, per person, on tickets booked online. This fee can be avoided by purchasing your ticket at the Allegiant Airlines ticket counter inside the airport. However, it is important to note that Allegiant often offers a "roundtrip discount" for tickets booked on its website, which may not apply to tickets bought at the airport. Therefore, it is advisable to check the flight schedule and ticket counter opening times before heading to the airport, as Allegiant usually flies a very limited schedule, and there may only be a small window of time in which you can book tickets.
Similarly, Frontier Airlines charges a "Carrier Interface Charge" on almost all of its fares booked online, ranging from $4 to $21 each way, or $8 to $42 for a round trip, per person. This fee can also be avoided by purchasing your ticket in person at the Frontier Airlines ticket counter inside the airport. However, Discount Den members should be aware that they will not be able to purchase discounted members-only fares at an airport ticket counter, and promo codes cannot be used to buy tickets at the airport.
Spirit Airlines also charges a "Passenger Usage Charge" of up to $22.99 each way, or $45.98 for a round trip, per person, on tickets booked online. This fee can also be avoided by purchasing your ticket at the Spirit Airlines ticket counter inside the airport.
In addition to these airlines, Sun Country has been known to charge a fee of $44 or more, which can be avoided by purchasing your ticket at their check-in desks in Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), which are typically staffed throughout the day.
By purchasing your ticket at the airport, you can bypass the online booking fees charged by these airlines and save a significant amount of money, especially when booking multiple tickets. However, it is important to consider the time and cost of travelling to the airport, as well as the limited opening hours of some ticket counters. Additionally, it is worth noting that purchasing baggage separately from your ticket may result in higher baggage fees, which could reduce the overall savings.
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Save on baggage fees with airline credit cards
While booking at the airport can help you avoid certain fees, it is not always feasible and may not always be the best option for saving money. A more reliable way to save on baggage fees is by using airline credit cards.
Many airlines offer co-branded credit cards that include free checked luggage as a benefit. These cards can save you hundreds of dollars a year, depending on how often you fly. Almost every airline credit card offers at least one free checked bag as one of its perks, and this usually applies to your entire travel party. For example, an American Airlines credit card can save a family of four $280 on a round trip.
Some examples of credit cards that offer free checked baggage include:
- The Frontier Airlines World Mastercard ($99 annual fee) offers two free checked bags.
- The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard ($99 annual fee) offers two free checked bags, but this does not extend to travel companions.
- The Alaska Airlines Visa ($95 annual fee) and Alaska Airlines Business ($70 for the company and $25 per card annual fee) offer a free checked bag for yourself and up to six additional passengers on the same reservation, but you must purchase their flights with your card to receive this benefit.
- The Delta Gold and Delta Gold Business cards offer one free checked bag for the cardholder and eight others traveling on the same itinerary.
- The Platinum Select and Business cards offer a free checked bag for the cardholder and up to four traveling companions.
- The Executive World Elite card offers a free checked bag for the cardholder and up to eight traveling companions.
It is important to note that these airline credit cards are usually airline-specific, so it is recommended to sign up for the cards that correspond to the airlines you fly most frequently. Additionally, some cards may have other benefits that can offset the cost of the annual fee. For example, the United Club Business Card has a $695 annual fee but offers two free bags for you and a companion on every United flight, as well as other benefits.
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Negotiate when you get bumped from a flight
While booking flights at the airport can help you avoid certain fees, it is not always possible. For instance, Allegiant Airlines charges an "Electronic Carrier Usage Charge" of $18 each way for tickets booked online, but you can avoid this fee by purchasing your ticket at the Allegiant Airlines ticket counter inside the airport. However, doing so might cause you to miss out on the "roundtrip discount" that Allegiant often offers for online bookings. Similarly, Frontier Airlines charges a "Carrier Interface Charge" of $4 to $21 each way for online bookings, which you can also avoid by purchasing your ticket at the airport.
Now, if you get bumped from a flight, you are entitled to compensation. This typically happens when there are more passengers scheduled to fly than there are seats available. In such cases, airlines will first ask for volunteers to give up their seats in exchange for compensation. You can negotiate this rate and ask for add-ons like a hotel room, the option to pick your next seat, or free access to the airline's VIP lounge. If you don't volunteer and are bumped involuntarily, the amount of compensation you receive will be based on a scale. For instance, if you arrive at your intended destination within one to two hours of your original arrival time, you may be entitled to 200% of the one-way fare.
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Sign up for airline membership schemes to accumulate points
While booking at the airport can help you avoid certain fees, signing up for an airline membership scheme can be a great way to accumulate points and save money in the long run.
One of the most well-known airline membership schemes is British Airways' Executive Club. Membership is free, and by signing up, you can accumulate Avios, the club's currency, which can be used for a range of rewards. These include reward flights, cabin upgrades, hotel stays, and car rentals. Additionally, members can also accumulate Tier Points, which determine their membership level and provide access to additional benefits.
Another option is the Flying Blue program, a joint venture between Air France and KLM. This program offers a range of benefits as members accumulate Experience Points (XP) through flights with KLM and partner airlines. Benefits include priority access to check-in, baggage drop-off, and boarding, as well as free standard seat selection and additional checked baggage.
If you're based in the United States, Delta SkyMiles is a great option as the points don't expire, making it ideal for travellers who don't fly frequently but still want to accumulate miles over time. Delta's elite status program also offers benefits like complimentary upgrades, priority boarding, and lounge access.
For those in the United States, the Alaska Mileage Plan is also worth considering. It has one of the lowest elite status requirements, with just 20,000 miles needed to earn MVP status, which includes perks like priority check-in, priority security lines, and up to two free checked bags.
Lastly, if you're an Australian traveller, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer is a valuable program. Points can be transferred from many credit card partners, and it is rated as one of the easiest programs for securing Business Class reward flights in advance.
By signing up for these membership schemes and accumulating points, you can access a range of benefits and rewards, making your travel experience more enjoyable and cost-effective.
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Research additional fees for your chosen airline in advance
Researching additional fees for your chosen airline in advance can help you avoid unwanted surprises at the airport. While some fees are unavoidable, many can be mitigated with proper preparation.
Firstly, it is important to note that some airlines charge a fee for booking online or with a representative over the phone. In such cases, purchasing your ticket at the airline's ticket counter inside the airport can help you avoid these fees. However, it is crucial to check the flight schedule, as ticket counters are usually only open during specific hours surrounding flight times.
Secondly, baggage fees can significantly increase the cost of your flight. To avoid these fees, consider the following strategies:
- Weigh your bags at home to ensure they meet the weight requirements set by the airline.
- Opt for carry-on bags instead of checked bags, as some airlines charge for the use of overhead bins.
- Prepay for your carry-on bag whenever possible, as it may be cheaper to book in advance rather than on the day of your flight.
- Utilize airline credit cards, as many offer a free checked bag as a perk, sometimes for your entire travel party.
- Take advantage of the "car seats fly free" policy offered by most airlines, even on basic economy tickets.
Additionally, some airlines charge extra for seat selection. To avoid these fees, you can opt to allow the airline to assign you a seat or check-in as early as possible to increase your chances of sitting with your travel companions.
Other fees to consider include charges for printing your boarding pass at the airport, purchasing food and drinks on board, accessing airport lounges, and priority boarding. By researching these fees in advance and planning accordingly, you can save money and have a more enjoyable travel experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Booking your ticket at the airport ticket counter can help you avoid online booking fees. Airlines like Allegiant Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Sun Country charge a fee for booking online, which can be avoided by purchasing your ticket at the airport.
Some airlines charge lower fees for checked-in bags that are booked in advance. For example, Easyjet and Wizz Air charge relatively low fees for bags booked ahead of time. It is also recommended to add bags to your reservation online after purchasing your ticket in person, as it can be more expensive to pay for baggage at the airport.
Yes, some airlines charge fees for seat selection. It is recommended to research the additional fees for your chosen airline in advance to avoid any unexpected costs. Seat selection fees can sometimes be avoided by purchasing an airline's co-branded credit card.
While not every fee can be avoided, being knowledgeable and prepared can help you save money. For example, if you get bumped from a flight, you can negotiate for perks like a business class seat on your replacement flight. Additionally, consider the overall cost of travelling to the airport to book your ticket in person to determine if the trip is worth the savings.
