Ruth Haines
There are various fees associated with air travel, including booking fees, baggage fees, and seat selection fees. While not all fees can be avoided, there are strategies to minimise these costs. For example, some airlines charge a fee for booking online, which can be avoided by booking in person at the airport. Additionally, booking early can help secure competitive rates and special promotions, and travelling during off-peak times can also reduce airfare. Using the right credit card can also help, as some offer perks such as free checked bags and priority boarding.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Online booking fees | $18-$21 each way |
| Airlines with online booking fees | Allegiant Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Spirit, Sun Country, Breeze |
| Airlines without online booking fees | American, Delta, United, Southwest |
| Avoiding online booking fees | Purchase ticket at airport ticket counter, sign up for airline membership schemes, obtain airline credit card |
| Baggage fees | $40 each way for carry-on, $42 each way for checked bags |
| Other fees | Landing fees, hangar and tie-down fees, handling fees, overnight fees, ground vehicle fees, terminal usage fees |
| Ways to save money on fees | Purchase fuel at the airport, purchase certain flight packages, be loyal to a particular airline |
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What You'll Learn
- Budget airlines often charge lower fees for in-person bookings
- Some airlines charge an Electronic Carrier Usage Charge for online bookings
- Airlines often adjust prices based on demand, so book during off-peak times
- Check baggage restrictions before packing to avoid unexpected charges
- Airlines may offer discounts and promotions for early bookings
Budget airlines often charge lower fees for in-person bookings
Budget airlines often promise low fares, but these can come with hidden fees and inconveniences that can quickly add up. Some budget airlines charge extra fees when you book a flight online or over the phone, but these charges are waived if you book in person at the airport. This is because these airlines make their money by charging passengers for extras like seat assignments, bags, and even water on board.
For example, Allegiant levies a $22 "Electronic Carrier Usage Charge" on every ticket booked online or by phone. However, if you book this flight in person at the airport, you can avoid this fee altogether. Similarly, Spirit and Sun Country charge a "Passenger Usage Charge" and "Passenger Interface Charge" respectively, which can be as high as $40 or more per ticket. By booking in person at the airport, you can save this fee as well.
In addition to booking fees, budget airlines often charge for other extras such as seat selection, checked luggage, and carry-on bags. These fees can be quite costly and may not be refundable if your flight is cancelled or delayed. For example, EasyJet's seat selection fees range from $5 to $50 per seat, depending on location. Spirit Airlines charges up to $99 for a carry-on bag if you pay at the gate, and their "Big Front Seat" costs anywhere from $12 to $150 depending on the route. Some airlines also charge for flight changes, with Frontier Airlines charging up to $99 depending on how close to departure the change is made.
Therefore, while budget airlines may offer lower base fares, the total cost of your flight can end up being much higher due to these additional fees. By booking in person at the airport, you can save on booking fees, but it's important to be aware of the other potential costs associated with flying on a budget airline.
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Some airlines charge an Electronic Carrier Usage Charge for online bookings
Some airlines charge what is known as an "Electronic Carrier Usage Charge" for online bookings. This is a flat fee for the convenience of booking flights online or by phone. Allegiant Airlines, for example, charges an "Electronic Carrier Usage Charge" of $18 each way ($36 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 "round-trip discount" for tickets booked on its website, which may not apply to tickets booked at the airport.
Similarly, Frontier Airlines charges a "Carrier Interface Charge" on almost all of its fares booked online, ranging from $4 to $21 each way ($8 to $42 round trip), per person. This fee can also be avoided by booking your flight at the Frontier Airlines ticket counter inside the airport. It is worth noting that Frontier Airlines occasionally offers "Penny Fare" sales with $15 one-way tickets that do not incur an online booking fee.
Spirit Airlines, another budget carrier, charges a "Passenger Usage Charge" of up to $23 per segment. This fee can also be avoided by booking your ticket at the Spirit Airlines ticket counter inside the airport. However, Spirit's other booking-related fees, such as the Regulatory Compliance Charge and Fuel Charge, will still apply to bookings made at the airport. Additionally, promo codes and special fares are usually only available for online bookings, so you may not be able to take advantage of these discounts when booking at the airport.
These online booking fees are often lumped together with government-imposed taxes and fees, making them seem like mandatory charges. By understanding the breakdown of these fees, passengers can make informed decisions about whether to book online or at the airport to save money.
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Airlines often adjust prices based on demand, so book during off-peak times
While airport fees are typically unavoidable, there are certain fees that can be waived by booking at the airport. For example, some budget airlines charge extra fees when you book a flight online, but these charges are usually waived when you book in person. Similarly, some airlines offer discounts on baggage fees when paying at the check-in counter instead of online.
Airlines often adjust prices based on demand, so booking during off-peak times can help you find cheaper flights. Flight prices can fluctuate depending on the day of the week, time of year, and how far in advance you book. Typically, the lowest prices are available earlier in the week, with Tuesdays being the cheapest day to book. Flights that take off and land on weekends or Mondays and Fridays tend to be more expensive.
For domestic flights, it is recommended to book around 1-2 months in advance, with the lowest prices usually found 28 days before departure. International flights should be booked further in advance, with the best prices typically found 60 days before departure. Traveling during the off-peak months of January and February can also lead to significant savings. Shoulder seasons, such as September and October, are also good times to find cheaper flights before demand increases for the holiday season.
In addition to the time of year and day of the week, flight prices can be influenced by demand, seat availability, time until departure, and even your browsing history. Airlines use complex algorithms to adjust prices, and it is not uncommon for prices to rise closer to the departure date, especially during peak travel seasons or for popular destinations. Therefore, it is important to be flexible with your travel dates and monitor prices across multiple platforms to find the best deals.
Overall, by understanding the dynamics of airline pricing and booking during off-peak times, you can increase your chances of finding the best fares and saving money on your travel expenses.
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Check baggage restrictions before packing to avoid unexpected charges
Unexpected charges at the airport can be frustrating and stressful. To avoid them, it's important to check baggage restrictions before packing. This includes understanding the weight and size limits for checked and carry-on baggage, as well as any restrictions on hazardous or restricted items.
Each airline has its own set of baggage policies, which can be found on their websites. It is important to compare these policies and take advantage of any waivers or discounts that may be offered. For example, some airlines may offer discounts on baggage fees when paying at the check-in counter instead of online. Additionally, certain credit cards or airline statuses may waive baggage fees, so it's worth considering these options when travelling.
When packing, it is crucial to only carry items that are safe for air travel. Hazardous and restricted items can pose a threat to the safety of passengers and crew. Examples of prohibited items include drones with a battery capacity of over 160 Wh, spare batteries not packed in carry-on baggage, and hazardous materials such as compressed gas cartridges and alcohol outside of the specified limits.
By planning and researching in advance, travellers can make informed decisions about their luggage and avoid unexpected charges. Being realistic about packing needs and comparing different options can help determine the most affordable way to travel with checked bags.
In addition to baggage fees, some other airport fees may be unavoidable. These can include charges for using the airport's infrastructure, such as landing fees, as well as fees for services provided by Fixed-Based Operators (FBOs), such as fuel, ground handling, and parking. While some of these fees are standard for all users, FBOs may offer bundled services or waive certain fees under specific conditions, such as purchasing fuel at the airport.
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Airlines may offer discounts and promotions for early bookings
Airlines also tend to increase prices as the departure date approaches, especially for popular routes. However, if there are unsold seats or low demand, airlines may lower prices to fill them. This often occurs during the off-peak travel season, such as Europe in late fall or Asia in early spring. Airlines may also launch flash sales to fill unsold seats, which can provide significant discounts but typically last only a few days. These sales can be announced with little notice and may only be available for a few hours.
Additionally, certain airlines may offer discounts for early bookings on their websites, which may not apply to tickets booked at the airport. For example, Allegiant Airlines charges an "Electronic Carrier Usage Charge" of $18 each way for tickets booked online, but this fee can be avoided by purchasing tickets at the airport ticket counter. However, Allegiant often offers a "roundtrip discount" for online bookings, which may not be available for airport bookings. Similarly, Frontier Airlines occasionally has "Penny Fare" sales with $15 one-way tickets that are only available online.
To take advantage of early booking discounts, it is recommended to join loyalty programs, subscribe to travel deal newsletters, and follow travel blogs. These sources can provide exclusive deals, insider tips, and information on when and how to book flights to save money.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can waive certain airport fees by booking your ticket at the airport. Some budget airlines, such as Allegiant Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit, charge extra fees when you book a flight online, which can be avoided by purchasing your ticket in person at the airport.
Yes, booking at the airport may have some limitations. For example, certain discounts, promo codes, and special fares may only be available for online bookings. Additionally, ticket counters at the airport may have limited operating hours, so it is important to plan your visit accordingly.
There are a few strategies to save on booking fees. Signing up for airline membership schemes or loyalty programs can help accumulate points that can be used for deductions or waived fees. Additionally, some airline credit cards offer perks such as waived change/cancellation fees, inflight amenities, or inflight Wi-Fi.
Yes, there are various other fees that may be associated with your travel, such as baggage fees, seat selection fees, cancellation fees, and overnight parking fees. It is always a good idea to research the additional fees for your chosen airline in advance to avoid any unexpected charges.
