Lois Larson
Buying tickets at the airport can save travellers money, but only under certain circumstances. This method is most effective for those flying with ultra-low-cost carriers, such as Spirit, Frontier, Breeze, and Allegiant, which often charge extra fees for booking online. These fees can add up to significant amounts, with potential savings of up to $44 per person on a round trip. However, it's important to consider the trade-off between savings and convenience, especially for those who don't live close to an airport. Additionally, it can be challenging to determine the exact savings in advance, and the process may involve standing in line and dealing with potential obstacles. Nonetheless, for budget-conscious travellers, purchasing tickets at the airport can be a valuable strategy to consider.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airlines that offer discounts for buying tickets at the airport | Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Breeze, Allegiant, Avelo |
| Airlines that don't offer discounts for buying tickets at the airport | United, American, Delta, Southwest, Alaska, Hawaiian |
| Amount saved per ticket | $18–$25 per flight segment, up to $44 per person for a round-trip ticket |
| Amount saved per family | $280 |
| Other benefits | Better seat selection, no charge for bags |
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What You'll Learn
Potential to save hundreds of dollars
While it is possible to save money by buying plane tickets at the airport, this only applies to ultra-low-cost airlines that charge online booking fees. These online fees can add up to as much as $100 per person on a round-trip flight with a connection. For example, Allegiant Air charges an "Electronic Carrier Usage Charge" of up to $22 per flight segment for tickets booked online or over the phone. This means that for a family of four, the total fees for booking online could be as high as $88, which would be saved by purchasing tickets at the airport.
Similarly, for budget airlines like Spirit, Frontier, Breeze, and Allegiant, buying tickets at the airport can result in significant savings. These airlines often add extra fees, such as "passenger usage fees" or "technology development charges," when booking online. By purchasing tickets in person, these fees can be avoided, leading to potential savings of between $18 and $25 per flight segment.
However, it is important to note that the savings from buying tickets at the airport may not always outweigh the costs. Gas and airport parking fees may exceed the amount saved, especially if purchasing tickets for a single traveller. Additionally, some airlines, such as United, American, Delta, Southwest, Alaska, and Hawaiian, do not offer discounts for buying tickets in person. Therefore, it is essential to compare the savings on fees against the total cost of the flight to determine if buying tickets at the airport is the best option.
Furthermore, while buying tickets at the airport can save money on certain airlines, it may not always result in hundreds of dollars in savings. The amount saved depends on various factors, including the number of travellers, the number of flight segments, and the specific fees charged by the airline. Nevertheless, for those on a tight budget or travelling in large groups, the potential savings from buying tickets at the airport can be significant and worth the effort.
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Only certain airlines offer discounts
It is true that buying tickets at the airport can save you money, but only certain airlines offer this discount. This is because some low-cost carriers (LCC) add extra fees for booking online, which they call "passenger usage fees" or "technology development charges". These fees can range from $18 to $25 per flight segment, adding up to as much as $100 per person on a round-trip flight with a connection. That's a significant saving for families or large groups.
Ultra-low-cost carriers like Spirit, Frontier, Breeze, and Allegiant are known to offer cheaper tickets when purchased at the airport. For example, Allegiant charges an "Electronic Carrier Usage Charge" of up to $22 per flight segment for online bookings, which can be avoided by buying tickets at the airport. Similarly, Spirit Airlines offers a discount of $18.99 off each way of travel when purchased at the ticket counter.
However, it's important to note that not all airlines offer this discount. Airlines like United, American, Delta, Southwest, Alaska, and Hawaiian don't provide discounts for buying tickets in person. Additionally, some ultra-low-cost airlines may not have a physical ticket counter at the airport, so it's always good to check before making the trip.
To maximize your savings, it's recommended to do a dummy booking online to estimate your potential savings before heading to the airport. While buying tickets at the airport can save you money on certain airlines, it may not always be the most convenient option, especially if you don't live close to the airport. Therefore, it's essential to weigh your savings against the cost of gas and airport parking fees to determine if buying tickets in person is worth it for you.
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Ultra-low-cost airlines charge online fees
Ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs) are airlines that have a lower operating cost structure than their competitors. They are characterised by minimal inclusions in the fare and a greater number of add-on fees. Examples of ULCCs include Allegiant Air, Avelo Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Sun Country Airlines in the US; Ryanair and Wizz Air in Europe; and Cebu Pacific and Super Air Jet in Asia.
ULCCs often charge extra fees for booking online, which they refer to as "passenger usage fees" or "technology development charges". These fees can range from $18 to $25 per flight segment and are added to the cost of the ticket at checkout. By purchasing tickets in person at the airport, travellers can avoid paying these online fees, resulting in potential savings of up to $40 per ticket. However, it is important to consider that not all airlines offer discounts for buying tickets in person, and some ultra-low-cost airlines may not even have a way to sell tickets at the airport.
Additionally, gas and airport parking fees may outweigh any potential savings. Therefore, buying tickets in person is most beneficial for those who live close to an airport. It is also worth noting that ULCCs typically have dynamic pricing policies, with frequent discounts and promotions. They often fly to smaller, less congested secondary airports or during off-peak hours to take advantage of lower landing fees.
When flying with an ultra-low-cost airline, travellers can keep their costs down by being mindful of the various fees associated with additional services. These fees can include charges for baggage, seat selection, snacks, and changes to the reservation. To avoid paying extra, travellers can follow certain strategies such as checking the airline's baggage size rules, wearing bulky clothes to save bag space, sharing checked bags, skipping seat selection, and bringing their own entertainment and snacks.
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Savings depend on airline and destination
The savings from buying tickets at the airport depend on the airline and destination. Ultra-low-cost carriers like Spirit, Frontier, Breeze, and Allegiant add extra fees when booking online, which can be avoided by purchasing tickets in person at the airport. These fees are typically labelled as "passenger usage fees" or "technology development charges" and can range from $18 to $25 per flight segment, or even up to $44 for a round-trip ticket.
For example, at McGhee Tyson Airport, Allegiant charges an "Electronic Carrier Usage Charge" of up to $22 per flight segment for online bookings. By purchasing tickets at the airport, one family saved $268 on four round-trip tickets from Knoxville to Phoenix. Similarly, another traveller saved $280 on a family trip between Texas and California by buying tickets at the airport.
However, it's important to note that not all airlines offer discounts for buying tickets at the airport. Airlines like United, American, Delta, Southwest, Alaska, and Hawaiian do not provide such incentives, so it may not be worth the trip to the airport for a small potential saving. Additionally, some low-cost carriers may not have the capability to sell tickets at the airport. Therefore, it is recommended to do a dummy booking online to estimate the potential savings before making a trip to the airport.
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Compare savings vs flight cost
Buying tickets at the airport can sometimes be cheaper than booking online, but this is not always the case. The savings depend on the airline and the number of travellers.
Ultra-low-cost carriers like Spirit, Frontier, Breeze, and Allegiant add extra fees when you book online, which can be labelled as "passenger usage fees" or "technology development charges". These fees can range from $18 to $25 per flight segment, which can add up to significant savings for larger groups. For example, a family of seven saved $280 on a round trip between Texas and California by purchasing their tickets at the airport.
However, it's important to note that not all airlines offer discounts for buying tickets at the airport. Airlines like United, American, Delta, Southwest, Alaska, and Hawaiian do not provide such discounts, so it may not be worth going out of your way to buy tickets in person. Additionally, some ultra-low-cost carriers may not have a physical ticket counter at the airport to sell tickets.
Furthermore, the savings from buying tickets at the airport may be offset by the costs of getting to the airport, especially if you don't live nearby. Gas and airport parking fees could potentially cost more than the amount saved on the tickets.
To determine whether buying tickets at the airport is worth the savings, you can do a dummy booking online and calculate the potential savings. It's important to weigh the savings against the convenience of booking online, especially if the difference is minimal.
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Frequently asked questions
You can save up to $25 per flight segment by buying your tickets at the airport. This is because ultra-low-cost carriers like Spirit, Frontier, Breeze, and Allegiant add extra fees when you book online, which they call "passenger usage fees" or "technology development charges". These fees can add up to as much as $100 per person on a round-trip flight with a connection.
Only certain airlines, typically ultra-low-cost carriers, offer discounts for buying tickets at the airport. This includes airlines like Spirit, Frontier, Breeze, and Allegiant.
You can do a dummy booking online and, when you get to the final page, you can see how much you will be saving by buying your ticket at the airport instead.
