How to Avoid or Minimize Airline Fees

Tired of all of the airline fee announcements? Baggage fees, prime seat fees, change fees, booking over the phone fees, etc...too many! Find out what you can do to avoid paying them if at all possible.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Use Kayak, SideStep or FareCast for information. Most airlines will be included in the results. Orbitz, Travelocity and others may also be listed as suppliers.

2. Go to the airlines official website. Compare the results with what you found from other suppliers. If possible, book directly with them. You will not pay a booking fee and the change fees will be less.

3. Before you purchase tickets, see if it is possible to put tickets on hold (generally for about 24 hours). It will buy you some time and save you change fees. This is a particularly good option if you are not 100% sure of the travel dates and time, but would like to secure the rate. (United)

4. Check to see if the airlines that will enable you to cancel your tickets without penalty, typically within a 24 hour period if you booked online. Be sure you are logged into your account as some require you to be signed in at the time of purchase. (Delta and Continental) TIP: Check to see if the airfare goes down within that time period. You may be able to rebook or ask for a price adjustment.

5. Read the terms and conditions. There may be hidden fees that are not included in the price you are quoted. An example is the airline baggage fees. TIP: Try to pack light and travel with the allowed number and types of carry-ons.

6. Buy a luggage scale. Weigh your bags before leaving and transfer items if one bag is too heavy.

7. If you want to change your flight to an earlier one, try to go standby. Sometimes there will be no charge if you take a different flight when you make changes at the gate (vs. the ticket counter). To increase your chances of getting on standby, call the airlines prior to arrival to find out if the flight is at capacity. Be sure to get to the gate as early as possible and ask them to put you on the standby list. NOTE: This works best if you only have carry-on luggage. If you have checked bags, they may be going on a different flight or you may be required to take the flight your bags are checked in to take.

8. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you need to cancel your flights, do so before the plane is scheduled to take off. Otherwise, you may forfeit the ticket and not be entitled to a refund or credit.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need additional help or advice, consult a travel agent. They are experts in the industry, have insider knowledge and are kept up-to-date with travel news. They would also be a great resource to contact if you have questions while traveling.
• Read all of the terms and conditions. Carry them with you while you are traveling. Have them available to review or show at the airport if necessary.
• Trying to make changes through third party vendors can be a nightmare. They are the middlemen so will add on additional fees to make changes. Customer service can be very slow as they may put you on hold and verify any changes you want to make. If you purchased your tickets through Orbitz, Travelocity, etc. and try to make the changes directly with the airlines, they will add on a third party vendor fee.

Resources

• Kayak
• Farecast
• SideStep

[Haoie]

on 3/24/2009 You can indeed save by bypassing intermediaries and ordering direct from the airline. Not much saved though.

[1cream2sugars]

on 1/4/2009 Airline fees killed last time we took a trip. Thanks for the tips.5*

[JIN1128]

on 12/27/2008 when I have money to travel, I will use your tips to find the cheapest airline fees

[scottmitzi]

on 12/27/2008 We are traveling soon, I'll have to look at everything again. Thanks

[Kilogramm]

on 12/27/2008 These are great tips! thanks for this!