According to an Associated Press report, the US Department of Transportation announced this week that 2009 saw a 42% increase in airline fees from 2008, to the tune of $7.8 billion. These “ancillary fees” include charges for checked baggage, seat assignments, reservation changes, pillows, food, drinks and anything not included in the flight price.
Delta, the world’s biggest airline, took $1.6 billion in ancillary fees, including $481 million from baggage fees, around 9.1% of their total revenue. Spirit Airlines made an astonishing 21% of their revenue from these fees.
So how can you avoid paying them?
Baggage Fees
These make up the bulk of the ancillary fees. The most important thing to remember is to check your airline’s baggage policy before travelling. Most airlines allow at least one carry on bag for free, and the size allowance is normally generous e.g. 55 x 35 x 20cm. That’s plenty of room for at least a few days, so think carefully before packing that suitcase. Do you REALLY need it?
If you are checking in a piece of luggage, see if you can add it to your flight before going to the airport. EasyJet is just one of the “budget” airlines that charges double price when you check in luggage at the airport. And make sure you weigh your bag carefully! Airlines are sticklers for rules, and they’ll charge a hefty price per kilo if you’re over. Use your bathroom scales if you don’t want to buy purpose-built ones.
Check In and Seat Assignments
Check in online. It’s very easy. Ryanair will charge you a sizeable fee if you forget your boarding pass, while easyJet will put you in the last boarding group if you check in at the airport. And you don’t need priority boarding. A lot of the time you’ll get on the same bus from terminal to plane as the Speedy Boarders (which will annoy them a lot), and if you’re elderly, travelling with children or need special assistance, you’ll get priority boarding anyway.
As for seat assignments, policies vary by airline. US airlines will often charge to reserve a seat at all: Spirit Airlines charges a $15 fee to passengers who choose a window seat, $12 for an aisle and $5 for one in the middle. The only way to avoid the charge is to check in as early as possible and you may be able to reserve for free. As always, the bottom line is to check the individual airline policy carefully when you book.
Reservation Changes
Obviously, if you have to change your flight as a result of a change in circumstances, there’s not much you can do about it. But you can avoid making a mistake the first time. These sorts of errors make airlines hundreds of millions, so check the details very carefully before clicking “Book”. Are your dates and times correct? Are names entered exactly as they are on the passport? Many reservation changes are the result of carelessness when booking, and they’re costly to change.
Booking and Payments
Although it is worth looking for the cheapest flights on a meta-search engine such as Kayak or Skyscanner, the cheapest way to book is almost always through the airline’s own website. By avoiding the middle man, you may avoid their commission. Don’t call the airline direct, though. They will normally charge extra, as well as charging you a premium rate number for your call.
For your payment, most airlines charge more when you pay with a credit card, so it’s normally best to use a debit card unless you want financial protection against the airline going bankrupt! Many airlines offer free payments with a certain type of card e.g. a Visa Electron.
Hidden Extras
- See if you’ll be offered a complimentary meal or snack by the airline before heading to the airport. You can easily bring food for the plane from home.
- It’s a good idea to keep hydrated, especially on long flights, but current airport restrictions forbid taking more than 100ml of liquid through the security zone. Having said that, you can normally buy drinks much cheaper in duty-free than you can on the plane.
- Bring an inflatable pillow, if you want to sleep. If you borrow one from the airline, you may be charged for the privilege.
If you want to save money on the rest of your trip, try booking a holiday apartment instead of a hotel and see how much you could save.
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