Sick and tired of paying outrageous travel fees that don’t make any sense? Use these insider tips to avoid them.
Corrections and clarifications: The maximum amount Spirit Airlines charges for a carry-on bag is $65.
The travel industry seems to always have its hand out — sometimes literally.
Just check into a fancy resort and watch the bellhop after delivering the luggage to your room, whether you wanted help or not. See what I mean?
More: Guilt tip: Travelers face pressure for gratuities
Lately, the industry has had its hands out a lot more. A recent survey by Sabre, the travel technology company, suggests we want to pay more for travel. We’d gladly shell out extra for upgrades (never mind that everyone should be getting treated well, not just the few who can pay more), onboard food (again, starving your customers is wrong) and legroom (same here).
“Travelers,” the company proclaims in a news release, would “drop a hundred dollar bill” on airline extras.
During the heat of the summer, maybe we should be asking the opposite question: What should we not pay for? What should be included not just in your next flight but in the travel experience?
Don’t forget to make some extra room in your budget for these ‘hidden’ fees. Buzz60’s Emily Drooby (@emilydrooby) has the story. Buzz60
Traveler-specific credit card fees
When you’re on the road, your credit card company sees an opportunity to cash in. That includes charging a foreign-currency fee and ATM fees. Avoid paying them, advises Jessica Bisesto, a senior editor for the travel deal website TravelPirates. “Contact your credit card company before a trip,” she says. Often, a credit card will waive certain fees or can advise you which ATM to use to avoid paying a surcharge.
Hotel resort fees
Many hotels charge mandatory “resort” fees for amenities you may or may not use. These can add $20 or more per day to the room rate you thought you were going to pay, which is patently unfair. “It’s frustrating,” says Bob Glaze, the curator of online travel guide Globalphile.com. “Having to pay for something that I have no intention of using, to me, is very upsetting. I feel like I am being gouged.” Interestingly, the federal government has been eyeing resort fees and might soon act to make them illegal.