Sadly fees seem to be a growing trend in the travel industry and it really annoys me. It seems almost impossible to complete a trip without getting charged some kind of travel fee and all these various charges can really add up! With some fees, there is really no way around them. However, there are some tricks I use to avoid them. It’s a simple way to save money!
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Checked Bag Fees
Many domestic flights and low-cost carriers charge for checked bags. Most airlines will charge for the second checked bag on international flights. Of course, the obvious answer here is to pack light and not check a bag. (Be sure to check out our packing tips.) You also need to make sure you check this carry-on size chart to make sure that your carry-on bag meets the requirements for the airline you are flying. If it does not, you could be forced to check your bag and pay the fee.
For me, it is not always possible to travel with only a carry-on bag. Some airlines (like United) have a credit card that allows you one free checked bag when you use that credit card to book the flight. Other airlines will give you checked bag privileges based on your frequent flyer status.
Katherine is the queen of traveling light. This was all she needed for a one week trip.
Overweight Bag Fees
The weight limit for bags varies by airline so make sure you research that in advance for the airline that you are flying. In my experience, it also will depend on the agent checking you in as to whether you get charged. Some will allow luggage a little over the limit, while others really play it by the book. Always be nice to the agent! There have been times I have been able to talk my way out of the fee. Other times, I have had to move shoes or other heavy items from my checked bag to my carry on to get the bag under the limit.
Also, some airlines now have weight limits for carry-on bags. My carryon was overweight for my flight on Aer Lingus to Dublin, but the agent let it go – “this time.” I didn’t even know there was a limit, so please make sure you review the airline’s policies before traveling. Oh, and I wouldn’t even think of flying on an airline (Spirit) that charges for all carryon luggage!
Foreign Transaction Fees
Some credit cards charge an extra 3% fee for any transactions made in foreign currency. There is no reason that you should pay this because there are plenty of credit cards that don’t. Just like The Points Guy, I really like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, in addition to having no foreign transaction fees, there are many other bonuses for frequent travelers. If you don’t want to pay an annual fee for your credit card, you might want to check out the Amazon Rewards Signature Visa.
Fees for International Roaming
International Roaming Fees can add up fast! I learned the hard way the first time I traveled internationally with my iPhone. My carrier at the time was AT&T and my monthly bill came out to be over $500! Luckily, I called and complained and then reduced it significantly. For a while after that, I would turn off my international data and only use wifi.
Only using wifi when traveling internationally is not ideal. If I was on the go, I couldn’t just look up something on my phone or message anyone (unless I wanted to incur ridiculous roaming fees). I also looked into buying monthly international data packages. They weren’t cheap either and the amount of data was limited.
Then, I realized there was another option. T-mobile has plans with unlimited free international roaming. I thought it must be too good to be true, but it wasn’t. I was able to get a cheaper plan than I had with AT&T and I now had international roaming. I wouldn’t have to be so dependent on finding wifi! Seriously, switching to T-mobile made traveling so much easier and saved me money too.
Fees for Transferring Your Miles
You may have seen the offer from airlines where you get a small mileage bonus for gifting your miles. What they don’t advertise is that there is a fee to gift your miles to someone else. So if when I have wanted to use my miles for someone to fly, I book the travel for them and then just put their name down as the passenger. This bypasses the transfer fee.
Fees for Selecting Your Seat
Some airlines will charge a fee to select your seat in advance or to book certain seats like those in exit rows. I know it sucks to sit in a middle seat, believe me, I had to do it both ways on my trip to Ireland. So my recommendation is to go online as soon as the check-in window opens for the best selection of seats.
Enjoying a nice view of London from my window seat (which I did not pay extra for!)
If your preferred seat is not available, then you can ask an agent at the airport to change it. Sometimes they have access to book seats that cannot be reserved online. Also, some airlines reserve premium seats for those that have earned status on the airline. If all else fails (like it did on my flight to Ireland), I will suck it up and sit in a middle seat. I refuse to pay for an airplane seat assignment as that just encourages airlines to charge it more in the future.
Fees for Priority Boarding
Of course first/business class passengers board first, but some airlines have an option to pay to board the flight first. Again, out of principle, I don’t like to pay this type of fee. If you have status with an airline, you will usually be allowed to board first. Also, if you are traveling with small children or uniformed military personnel, they will allow you to board early. Some airlines allow passengers who have purchased their tickets with the airline’s credit card to board early as well.
With the money we saved on fees we could have some wine when we landed in St. Martin.
Fees for Wifi
It is sad, but I have become addicted to being online and I will admit it. If you don’t have a plan like T-mobile that includes free international roaming, I am sure you are always looking for wifi.
It’s nice to have wifi on the plane, especially if it is going to be a long flight. However, most airlines do charge for wifi but there are a few like Jet Blue and Norwegian that offer it for free on select planes. If you are a T-mobile customer on Gogo enabled flight, you get 1hr of Wi-fi free. Some airlines offer it for free to business class passengers, so check the details so you will be prepared.
Some hotels also charge for wifi. Usually, if you have status with the hotel chain they will waive the free. I have had luck complaining (nicely) to the front desk clerk about the fee and getting a complimentary code. It doesn’t hurt to ask, right?
I really don’t like this trend towards fees and I wonder what the next type of travel fee will be? What fees do you hate? Do you have any tips to avoid them?
–Anisa
Expert Tips for Avoiding Travel Fees
- Every airline is different so make sure you check the requirements before you travel.
- Look into switching to T-mobile to avoid international roaming charges. Click here for more information.
- You may be able to avoid fees depending on the credit card you use.
- In some cases, you may be able to talk your way out of fees. It doesn’t hurt to ask, just be nice about it.
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They always find a way to fit in more fees don’t they! I’ve never seen anyone pay to board first before.
Yes, sadly some airlines do offer this as option. It can sometimes be combined with choosing seats or paying to earn bonus miles, but still not worth it in my opinion.
Having to pay to pick your seats is absolutely the worst! Sure, charge for “premium” seats that are the most popular, but let the rest of us book our seats without having more money squeezed from us.
Agree. But there are those people that do pay and that only encourages the airlines. 🙁
Great tips! Each and every one of those annoy the hell out of me!
Thanks Jess. It annoys me too. Unfortunately, I don’t see the trend changing.
Le Pliage is a LIFE SAVER! I sometimes bring it folded as an extra bag, just in case I need to do some repacking.
And I know this isn’t your packing post, but I thought it’s also a nice tip to wear your heavy clothing on the plane so as to lessen the weight of your bag even more! I once wore my hoodie and my coat while I checked-in (with just my carryon), then stuffed my coat into my bag for easier handling.
Thanks for rounding these up!
Sarah – Thanks. I agree with your point on wearing your heaviest clothing on the plane. It also helps because the plane is always freezing!
For my trip to NZ, I got hit with oversize luggage fee 4 times. That hurt. I was able to get over on the checked bag fee by having an Amex card
Ouch! That is rough. Glad you were able to avoid the checked bag fee though
These are great tips, you are right, too many companies have sneaky charges. I most definitely follow all of these. Thanks for sharing, great post!
Sasha – so glad you found it helpful.
This is so useful! Thanks so much for the guide, will definitely take these travel tips onboard next adventure! x
Erin – Glad you found the tips helpful.
Wow – airlines squeeze all options to make money out of the people. I will not be surprised if soon they will have a fee for people deep breathing inside the plane as they consume more oxygen!! nevertheless, your post is really helpful in understanding what one gets into by choosing different options at the airlines
Neha – yes I agree there are more outrageous fees ahead unfortunately. Glad you found the post helpful.
Those are some great tips for people who don’t travel too much and some good hints for the more experienced ones also 🙂 Airlines are increasingly starting to charge for all sorts of services, but fares are not going down :/
Jacky
Thanks Jacky! Yes it seems to be an unfortunate trend.
I try to avoid fees at all costs. Priority boarding and picking my seat isn’t that important to me. Yeah Aer Lingus and Ryanair (Irish airlines) have a weight limit for carry on luggage, it’s usually 10kg. I’ve never heard of Spirit and can’t believe that they charge for carry on luggage! That’s ridiculous! I’ll try your packing tips as I’d love travel more without checked luggage ☺
Thanks Marteen. Yes some airlines do have ridiculous fees. I hope you find the packing tips helpful as well.
Some really useful tips! I’m not a big fan of having to pay extra for things not included with my flight so I always have to end up packing light (which has helped me long term!). I think more budget airlines are picking up on this and have started to implement more restrictions on luggage and started with heaps of (what I find unnecessary) fees as a result!
Almost been hit with the overweight bag fees during my move back to Norway from Australia. Hahah whoops!
Thanks Caroline, glad you found the tips useful.
Southwest charges to check you in. Spirit also charges for boarding passes at the airport, seat selections, help at the airport from an agent and water or any other beverage. Spirit also charges for carry on luggage and if you don’t pay online, they charge $100 at the gate. Backpacks of a certain size are free…gee thx.
Yeah I guess the list just keeps getting longer unfortunately!
We try and avoid added fees as it is so frustrating. We think the key is to research the airlines as they do vary so much. Great post reminding us all of what to be aware of. #WeeklyPostcard
It really is frustrating. Agree it is important to do your research. Every airline can be different and it seems to be always changing!
I usually travel with only hand luggage but I have had checked in luggage too, I hate to pay those fees! #theweeklypostcard
Yes Tanja, fees are the worst!
Thanks for sharing this, Anisa. Very useful tips.
Thanks. Happy to share Anda!
Some great tips, we use most of these already when possible but always good to be reminded!
Thanks Jessica. Good to hear you are able to avoid fees as well.
Very handy tips! It´s always so hard for me to pack up lol. Cause on the one hand you want to take less staff to avoid the fees, but on the other hand you need everything with you! But whenever possible – I do travel with hand luggage around Europe! Due to the growing popularity of low cost airlines (here in Spain Ryanair, Wizzair etc) a lot of normal companies, like for ex. Swiss Airlines start offering the Economy versions of their tickets, and it includes only a hand luggage! So now you need to be twice careful and check the baggage allowance details with every company.
Yes Anna, I agree it’s not always easy to just travel with hand luggage and then some airlines now even weigh that. You definitely have to research each airline!
I have discovered more and more that airlines in the UK are starting to charge for anything and everything, even on flights that aren’t “no frills”. I refuse to pay for priority boarding or pick a seat, this meant my husband and I never sat together on a long-haul flight but I still refused to pay, the cost of a seat should be included and you shouldn’t have to pay more to sit together! I have found out the hard way that there is a weight limit to carry-on luggage, but annoyingly it was on the way back from a holiday not on the way out so I thought everything was fine! Thank you for sharing this most informative post to help us avoid charges in the future – great tips!
Angie – That’s terrible you guys had to sit apart on a long haul flight! But agree I would not pay for that either! It’s just a very frustrating trend!
Generally, if I have to choose between something and paying a fee, I’ll go without. It still stuns me when hotels (mainly in Australia) charge for wifi when its such an expected service. Some good tip here and thanks for hosting! #TheWeeklyPostcard
Yes, I hate paying for wifi. One hotel in Seoul tried to charge me and I complained and they gave me a code to get it comped. Glad you found the post helpful.