Six sneaky travel fees you can (and should) avoid

ByABC News
May 27, 2009, 3:36 PM

— -- Have you experienced travel sticker shock lately? Maybe you showed up at the airport with two suitcases and walked away with a much lighter wallet after visiting the baggage-check desk. Perhaps you rented a car and drove away with a few hundred dollars in collision-damage waiver insurance you didn't know you needed. Or maybe you got socked with hotel charges for using the Wi-Fi and parking your car. These fees and others like them are annoying at best, and severely expensive at worst. But here's a secret: You don't necessarily have to pay them.

Before your next trip, arm yourself with this list of sneaky travel fees. A bit of research, a bit of planning, and a willingness to travel light might just save you big bucks. And remember, to stay abreast of the often-confusing and ever-changing world of airline surcharges, you can always check our continuously updated Airline Fees: The Ultimate Guide.

Booking fees

Now more than ever, booking a flight in-person or over the phone will cost you. Fees currently range from $5 to $45 per ticketa hefty "convenience fee" just for completing a transaction. With the exception of Southwest, virtually every major air carrier now adds a surcharge for non-Internet bookings, so avoid this sneaky fee by booking online. With many online travel agencies now temporarily eliminating booking fees, you can save online regardless of whether or not you book directly with the travel supplier.

Seat selection fees

Let's say you've heeded my advice and booked your flight online. Good job! But the hard work of avoiding extra fees is far from over. Now comes the seat-selection challenge. Before you choose a seat, be sure the read your carrier's fine print to make sure doing so is free. Hint: If you're booking with AirTran, Spirit, United, US Airways, or Virgin America, it's probably not. (JetBlue charges for six "extra legroom" rows, but the majority of seats do not incur a fee.) Surcharges range from $6 to $349, depending on the airline and desired seat. If you're not picky about where you sit, err on the side of caution and let the airline choose your seat for you when you check in online, at the airport kiosk, or in person.