12 New Airline Fees And Creative Ways To Avoid Them

Airlines are now going into the business of gouging us left and right. They blame high gas prices and new security measures, but ultimately the consumer is the one paying. While there aren’t always ways to get around these new airline fees, there are creative ways to get around them.

1. Fees for booking your ticket over the phone. Not everyone is Internet savvy and it was only a matter of time before airlines caught on to this. Most charge $25 for booking a flight over the phone, while discount sites like Expedia and Orbitz only charge $7 to book. Depending on when and where you’re traveling too, these discount sites may also offer free booking, saving you money. You can also book on the respective airlines’ website to avoid any booking fees at all. If you aren’t at one with the Internet, consider asking a family member or neighbor to help you book online to avoid these costs. 2. Fees for ancient frequent flyer miles.. For those who let their frequent flyer miles roll over year after year, several airlines are now charging you to use them. Instead of getting a free or low cost ticket, airlines like American Airlines and US Airways are charging from $5-$50 to cash in your frequent flyer miles. Avoid these fees by using your frequent flyer miles the next time you travel, since waiting another few months could mean even more nickel and diming from the airline. Instead of keeping your frequent flyer miles exclusive to one airline, opt for a credit card that allows you to fly on any airline. This allows you to pick and choose once you decide to use your miles. 3. Fees for choosing a seat.Yep, they’re even charging for choosing a seat. Some airlines are charging on average $20 each way for choosing your seat. Want to save that money, but still have a shot at getting a comfy spot? Check in early, which can usually be done online, 24 hours before you depart. When you check in online, you’ll be prompted to choose your seat and have free reign to sit where you want for free.

4. Fees for checked bags. This was the shot heard around the world. When airlines started charging for checked bags, consumers were up in arms, but still have no choice but to pay the fees. This should teach us all a lesson in light packing. Most trips that last a week or less can be condensed into one piece of luggage and carried on. Be prepared to grab your seat once on the plane and a space for your luggage, but it will be worth saving $15-$25 per checked bag.

5. Fees for nonalcoholic beverages. Long ago, airlines stopped feeding us. Now they’ve stopped serving beverages as well. Some airlines like US Airways are now charging $2 per non alcoholic beverage and it’s only a matter of time before the other airlines follow suit. To avoid the costly drinks and snacks on a plane, pack your own and grab a drink at the terminal. The price may be the same, but you’ll have a larger selection and can buy a bottle, which means you can take the drink with you post-flight (most airlines give juice and sodas in cans, which are less mobile). Skip the pricey salty snacks and take along crackers and easy-to-eat fruits and veggies like an apple and carrot slices. 6. Fees for checking in at the airport. This one hasn’t hit quite yet, but analysts are predicting it isn’t too far in the future. To avoid this fee, you’ll have to get comfortable with the Internet and make time to check in online before the flight takes off. This isn’t a huge inconvenience for most, but it can be difficult on the return flight when you aren’t near your personal computer and may not have Internet access. Check with your hotel’s front desk to make arrangements to use a business computer to check in when the time comes. 7. Fees for a blanket and pillow. Many airlines have eliminated the blanket and pillow amenity for flights under six hours and others are charging for the perks, regardless of how long your flight is. Invest in a travel pillow if you’re the traveler that goes long distances regularly. Women can also invest in a cashmere or cashmere blend shawl, which is lightweight, but warm. The shawl can double as a blanket for a long flight and can easily be stored in your carry-on.

8. Fees for headsets. Instead of charging us per movie (and knowing many passengers would opt out), airlines are charging for headsets. The headsets provided by most are meager quality anyway, so use your own ear buds on the plane. If you don’t have a MP3 player, buy the headset once you’re on the flight, but keep up with it so it can travel wth you every time you take flight, avoiding that pesky fee.

9. Fees for carry-on bags. Spirit, the airline that was the first to charge customers for checked bags, is now charging for carry-on bags. They rationalize that less luggage on a plane makes for a speedy arrival and departure for all passengers. This forces passengers to choose between the lesser of two evils – checked or carry-on baggage fees. To help with this fee, condense items for family members. For most airlines, one piece of luggage can weigh up to 50 pounds. Instead of packing three different bags for yourself and your children, invest in one large suitcase and make do with the space so you’re paying fewer luggage fees. 10. Fees for checking bags at the curb. Once upon a time, you didn’t even have to wheel your luggage to the terminal. You just checked your bags at the curb and let the airline take it from there. Now airlines are charging an average of $2-$5 per bag checked at the curb (and yes, you’ll still have to pay the checked luggage fee as well), so get fit by lifting your luggage to the terminal and saving a few dollars that can go towards a cab ride or snack once you’re on your trip. 11. Fees for changing flights. In the days of yore, we only paid for changing a flight if the fee of the flight changed. If it was the same, we paid nothing. Not so these days! On flights for American Airlines, US Airways, and Continental, expect to pay $150 for changing your flight in addition to the difference in cost of the new flight. There’s really no creative way to avoid this fee, so if you aren’t set on your travel date, you may opt for a higher priced ticket. This will give you wiggle room to change your flight without getting hit with the fee since it’s essentially an open-ended ticket. 12. Book with lesser known airlines. This depends on where you’re headed and when, but often booking with smaller, lesser known airlines can add up to big savings. Southwest is an airline that’s sometimes frowned upon, but a visit to their website will let you know loud and clear that you’re going to find the best rate by booking directly through them and you won’t deal with any small fees for carry-on or checked baggage. Other small airlines like Island Air, which can be used to fly between major islands in Hawaii, never nickel and dime you to death like large airlines that can make their buck on their name. Some argue that the airline industry is pushing travelers away, but with planning and a few tricks up your sleeve you can avoid the bulk of new airline fees and fly freely.