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.
2. Pack Light
Did you know that airlines generated $3.5 billion in checked baggage fees in 2015? In the old days, planes used to include this in their ticket price and let you bring lots of luggage when you flew. Unfortunately, as most travelers know, these days there’s a hard limit on how many bags you can check when you’re flying. No matter how long you’ll be gone, you typically only get one, if you’re lucky. After that, there can be a steep additional charge for every suitcase. What’s more, if your first suitcase is heavy, you might get charged for that extra weight, too. Actually, more and more airlines are charging even for one checked bag, and some even charge for carry-ons. It’s hard to keep up with the ever-changing rules, so consumers have to watch out for this and almost expect some sort of extra luggage charge on top of their ticket price. It’s best to pack light these days and bring only the bare essentials.
3. Taxes and Surcharges
It can be a real pain, but you should make sure that whenever you book any sort of travel arrangements online, read every page that’s put in front of you. Businesses across the hospitality and travel industry simply love to drop extra taxes and surcharges on top of a great deal right before you accept the charges. By that point it’s tempting to keep clicking and imagining your tan lines, but be cautious and read that small print. There are no doubt some surprises hidden in there.
