Search Results for: blog new airline fees keeping it straight

Ways to Save on Airline Fees

Just when you thought commercial carriers couldn’t possibly penalize your pocketbook any more with their exorbitant baggage fees, Spirit Airlines just announced it plans to charge passengers $100 for carry-ons. Fortunately, there are ways you can avoid being hit with this outrageous fee. Beginning November 6th, Spirit will slap passengers with the 100-buck fee if they wait until they get to the boarding gate to pay. If you fly the discount airline and pay before getting to the airport, you will save a substantial amount of money. Here’s how you can avoid being hit with the sky-high baggage surcharge: Option … Continue reading →

Freaking Out Over Airline Fees

Just when you thought commercial airlines couldn’t suck you dry any more than they already do, several carriers are making headlines for the astronomical fees they charge for severely overweight checked bags. American Airlines reports that it charges passengers a whopping $450 for a bag weighing 71-100 pounds on its Asian flights. Meanwhile, United and Continental Airlines charge $400 for bags that weigh 71 to 99.9 pounds on international flights. According to a USA TODAY survey, those are the most expensive fees that airlines charge flyers these days. I am stunned by the numbers, but at the same time, I … Continue reading →

Seasonal Airline Seat Sale

When trying to score a cheap seat on a commercial airliner, timing is everything. If you are looking to travel to your favorite vacation destination, now is the time to fly. January and February typically see the fewest number of flyers. So as an incentive to frugal travelers, a number of airlines are offering fabulous fare sales to fill empty seats. AirTran and Southwest were among the first of the major carriers to launch widespread sales. The discount airlines have slashed fares for flights through mid-February. Savings are as much as 50 percent lower than holiday and summer ticket prices. … Continue reading →

Holiday Travel: Good News, Bad News

Unless you are independently wealthy or you just won that huge Powerball jackpot, then you’re probably not going to be happy with what the airline industry is offering in the way of holiday fares. The bad news: According to new reports, holiday fares are averaging about 10 to 20 percent more this year than last. What’s more, you will be battling more people for fewer seats now that most major airlines have reduced the number of routes they are flying in response to the economic crisis. More bad news: “Peak travel surcharges,” the dreaded three-word phrase coupled with the litany … Continue reading →

Save on Baggage Fees

When we flew to Hawaii in May for my grandmother’s funeral, American Airlines sucked nearly $100 from us thanks to a combination of baggage fees and their insane pillow, snack and blanket fees. When you are traveling on a 10-hour red-eye with a kindergartener you don’t think twice about forking over eight bucks for a pillow and blanket. They got me; what can I say? The litany of new or higher airline fees is despicable. However, the anger and frustration, which travelers harbor regarding the costs, has fueled a creative new tactic used by several savvy marketers. Take a look: … Continue reading →

Airline Fee Free for All

Despite making headlines weeks ago, my frequent-flying friend is still steaming about Spirit Airlines’ new few for carry-on bags. If you haven’t already heard, the discount airline is planning to charge as much as $45 each way for passengers to store their carry-on bags in overhead bins. After the announcement was made, a litany of airline fee-related jokes sprouted up in my email inbox, including one that suggested that Spirit Airlines’ passengers should start wearing multiple layers of clothing on flights in an effort to avoid the carry-on fee. If you plan to fly the fee-friendly skies this summer be … Continue reading →

More Airline Fees: Pillows, Blankets, Water and More

What’s next, having to pay to use the toilet mid-flight? Another day, another announcement from airlines saying that they simply can’t stay in business unless they find another way to earn some extra cash. The latest brilliant money making idea: JetBlue’s plan to charge passengers $7 for a pillow and blanket set. It’s no joke. But before you cancel your reservations you should know that the carrier is quick to point out that you are free to bring along your own pillows and blankets (though doing so will mean you will be able to carry on little else). Frankly, I … Continue reading →

Luggage Fees Increase—AGAIN!

You’ve got to be kidding! Then again, are any of us really shocked to learn that a major airline has increased luggage fees yet again? About 12 hours ago Delta Air Lines, the nation’s third-largest carrier, announced it plans to double its fee for checking a second bag to $50 each way on a domestic flight as a way to… you guessed it… offset the high cost of fuel. Reps for the Atlanta-based carrier said that the changes will apply to customers who purchase a ticket on or after Thursday for travel on or after August 5, 2008. So here’s … Continue reading →

Hawaii Travel: Good News/Bad News

Let’s start with the bad news… In what will likely come as no surprise to avid travelers, Hawaii’s go! airlines will soon be charging a $10 fee to passengers wanting to check a bag on interisland flights. According to a statement released by Phoenix-based Mesa Air Group Inc., go!’s parent company, it is joining several other carriers by charging for checked bags. The reason: (the standard) “need to find other sources of revenue to deal with a spike in fuel prices.” Is there any other reason these days? The new fee will go into effect August 10th. However, passengers who … Continue reading →

New Airline Fees–Keeping it Straight

For the past several weeks I have been detailing the new baggage fees being assessed by select airlines. The information is readily available through the individual carriers and has made headlines from coast to coast, yet there are many summer travelers out there who find sifting through the new rules as nerve racking as a turbulent flight. If you find yourself asking: Is the $15 fee for the first checked bag or the second… Do you still have to pay the fee if you bought your ticket before the new rule went into place… What airlines are currently assessing the … Continue reading →