Search Results for: blog travel insanity airline charges for one checked bag

Money-Saving Packing Strategies

I took a crash course in efficient packing shortly after I was forced to fork over $100 to United Airlines for failing to keep my bags under 50 pounds. For an extra $150, I could have purchased my bag a seat and let it ride next to me on my flight. I kicked myself for months following that debacle.  It was a costly mistake that should have never happened. With holiday travel peaking in a few days, consider the following packing tips so that you won’t be forced to shell out extra dough on your flight to grandma’s house: Make … Continue reading →

Studying Airfare Structures

Saving money on air travel doesn’t come without a little effort.  Or, in some cases, a lot of effort.  The advent of the Internet has made booking more convenient, but not all sites are easy to navigate; consequently, finding the best fare can be quite challenging.  Add to that the vast array of fare structures that vary from airline to airline and you may be tempted to drive to your vacation destination rather than fly. To help travelers find prices that best suit their budgets, American Airlines recently unveiled a new fare structure.  It offers potential fliers three coach-class fare … 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 →

All-Airline Peanut Ban: Yea or Nay?

I can’t remember the last time I was offered a bag of peanuts on a major commercial carrier, but apparently, that just shows that I don’t fly Southwest Airlines or Delta very often. The two domestic airlines, which continue to ladle out legumes, are at the center of a peanut controversy of sorts. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), one of the biggest complaints they receive from airline passengers is about peanuts on planes. In a new report just released by the DOT, the No. 1 suggestion from travelers on ways to enhance airline passenger protections is to … 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 →

The Downside of Ski Vacations

Two words: Luggage fees. My brother just took off for a 10-day ski vacation with his wife and son, but yesterday I got a call from him saying it may be the last one they take—-EVER! Apparently, the amount of money they spent on airline luggage fees was almost as much as a roundtrip ticket. Admittedly, my brother is not the world’s savviest packer, but considering that they planned to rent most of their ski equipment, it was quite a shock that they spent in excess of $150 on luggage fees. I won’t bore you with the breakdown of their … Continue reading →

Money Saving Travel Tips for Cash Strapped Flyers

By now you know that a single flight could easily put a major dent in your family’s budget. From rising airfares to insane luggage fees to the “brilliant” idea of charging passengers for everything from water to pillows and blankets, airlines are not ruling out any means to milk flyers for everything they are worth. If you are planning to fly in the near future now is the time to devise ways you can get from point A to point B without going broke. Here are some tips: WEIGH YOUR BAGS BEFORE HEADING TO THE AIRPORT The ol’ human scale … 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 →

Disney Hikes Prices—How Much You’ll Have to Spend to Visit Mickey

Getting into the House of Mouse is going to cost you more. New admission prices went into effect today at Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida. Tickets for guests aged 10 and older to Walt Disney World in Orlando now cost $75 (up from $71), while tickets for children aged 3 to 9 are now priced at $63 (up from $60). At Disneyland in Anaheim, one-day prices are now selling for $69 (up from $66) for those aged 10 and older, and $59 (up from $56) for children aged 3 to 9. In addition, the park hopper option, … 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 →