Choosing the Cheapest Flight: Beware of Hidden Fees

Aug. 12, 2009 — -- Today, cheap is chic. The less you pay, the smarter you look. But when it comes to flights, the cheapest airfare isn't always the cheapest. Confused? I'll explain and show you how to save money.

Let's start with this example: You need a flight from New York to, say, Los Angeles with a departure around 9 a.m. And let's say there are three such flights, on three different airlines: one out of LaGuardia, one from JFK and another out of Newark. Which do you choose?

Why, the cheapest, of course. But what if they all cost the same? Doesn't matter which one you choose, right? Wrong.

There's more to your airfare than the price listed on that e-ticket. In fact, "same price" flights can vary by hundreds of dollars. It's up to you to figure out all the extras -- what you have to factor in to get a true picture of what you will pay, but I'm here to help. Let's start with the basics.

For more air travel news and insights visit Rick's blog at: farecompare.com

Airport: Which one is closest to home? Time is money, and if you are forced to rise long before dawn to get to the airport on time, that's going to cost you. Only you know how valuable your time is but don't forget to factor it in. If you live in Manhattan, the LaGuardia flight might be best. If Long Island is home, JFK might be easiest.

On-Time Arrivals: If your flight is taking you to an important business meeting that you cannot miss, here's a tip: Check with the Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics, to see which of the three flights has a better "on-time arrival" percentage. This can vary widely, so hit the flight statistics Web site and get the facts.