The travel industry is more robust and competitive than ever before. With new deals springing up almost daily, there’s never been a better time to take a business or pleasure trip. Of course, before you plop your money down on the (digital) counter, you should know that not every deal you run across is actually a deal. In order to make prices seem more reasonable, travel businesses will happily highlight the base rate, while burying all the little fees and extras in the small print. This practice of “unbundling” has gotten out of hand, and these sneaky additional costs can really add up if you’re not careful. Not to worry, though; we’ve done the research to help you avoid paying through the nose, or at least be aware of these hidden fees so you’re not blindsided when faced with the final tally.
1. Everyone Loves the Window Seat
While there are still airlines out there with a first come, first serve basis, there are a lot of airlines that will actually charge passengers more if they choose to sit next to the window or aisle. Airlines know that nobody wants the middle seat, so they figure they can charge customers for the privilege of selecting a better seat. The price bump can be as much as $30 one way, so make sure that you’re paying attention to the difference in costs when booking your flight and selecting your seat.
