How to Avoid Hidden Travel Fees

Sept. 1, 2009— -- If you've managed to save enough money to plan for a nice vacation, what you might not have considered are all those pesky airline and hotel fees.

Airlines and hotels have added fees for services that used to be free, mand those fees can add hundreds to your vacation budget.

Travel + Leisure magazine associate editor Sarah Kantrowitz has advice on what those sneaky fees are, and how to avoid them.

What it will cost you to check your bags has changed again. Almost every airline is charging extra for checking your bag, from $20 for the first bag to $30 for the second bag. In fact, U.S. Air just announced that it is raising the bag fee to $25 for the first bag and $35 for the second.

Fee:
$20 for first bag
$30 for second bag

How to Save:

Check Bags Online: Check your bags online and you can save $5 on most airlines.

Check Your Frequent Flyer Plan: Loyalty matters when it comes to baggage fees. If you're a frequent flyer with a particular airline, they might be able to waive your fee. And in addition, if you're traveling first class or business class, you often won't be charged.

Fee-Free Carriers: JetBlue and Southwest don't charge for the first checked bag.

Ship Luggage Home: Some experts say it can be cheaper if you ship your bag using the U.S. Postal Service or FedEx, but this is really only true when you have a number of bags that are heavy and when you don't need your items immediately. It makes more sense to ship your bags on the way home, sending those souvenirs and items you purchased ahead and avoiding extra baggage fees.

If you want a particular seat, such as an exit row seat that has more leg room, you're going to pay up to $15 more.

How to Save:

Some airlines, such as AirTran, will let you pick your seat for free 24 hours before take-off. For other carriers, you can wait until you check in at the airport before requesting an exit row seat, and you may be able to get that coveted seat for free, although you also run the risk of not getting it at all.

Bring your own headphones, pillow, blankets and snack.

You can expect some lodging fees to go down as hotels and resorts compete to attract guests. However, there are some hidden fees to watch out for. If they are for services you don't use, you shouldn't be asked to pay. They're difficult to avoid, but if you know about them in advance, you can sometimes negotiate.

How to Save:

If you're not going to use a service, such as valet, and that's included in the resort fee, you might ask to have that removed from your bill.

To avoid early arrival fees, plan your arrival in advance. When you're booking, let the reservationist know that you'll be arriving early, and ask if they can accommodate an early check-in at no cost. And the fee to hold your bags may be negotiable. Just be sure to ask the front desk if there's a charge for holding your luggage for you, and see if they'll do it for you at no cost.

Overall, Kantrowitz says smart travelers are often better equipped to deal with these extra charges, and many places are willing to negotiate. You should always be assertive and speak up about fees that you believe should not apply to you.