Travel Fees: The Good, the Bad and the Avoidable
Before you break the bank, think it over.
— -- Some fees are worth paying, but not all. The reservation change fee goes in the 'don't' column since it can cost $200 and that can be more than the price of your ticket.
What matters about fees is, what you need and want and what you're willing to spend. These passenger profiles may help. Find yours to see some fees to consider paying - or not.
Nervous Traveler
If you suffer from fear of flying, some airlines will help. British Airways' Flying with Confidence program offers courses in cities around the world including New York. Prices begin at $299 for day-long sessions run by psychologists and pilots (including the aptly-named Capt. Allright); some sessions end with a flight. Testimonials on the airline's site include a clip of white-knuckle flyer Jennifer Aniston discussing a video she watched on a recent flight and the actress seemed to find it soothing.
Long Vacationer
Jetting off on a nice long vacation and feel the need for numerous changes of clothes? You can still check two bags for free on Southwest and one with JetBlue (but not for long since JetBlue will start charging fees for all checked-bags later this year). Whatever you do, don't overload any checked-bag, because all airlines charge overweight fees. On domestic flights, these fees can rise to $200 per bag or pay as much as $400 on international flights.
Family Flyer
You've got diaper bags, snacks, crayons and a cranky kid or two. What you need to do is get on board quickly and get everyone and everything stowed and settled. This is where an early boarding fee comes in and it can be cheap ($12.50 on Southwest). Other airlines charge a little or a lot more depending what's included in the fee-bundle.
Tip: Airlines used to allow families to board planes first as a matter of course but this was before they discovered people would pay for this. Try approaching a gate agent and asking (politely) if they could make an exception in your case. You'll never know if you do not ask.
Screaming Kid Avoider
If you don't want to be seated next to screaming babies, try the "silence cabin" of the improbably-named Scoot. The Singapore-based discount carrier offers child-free sections on some flights or at least no seatmates under the age of 12. It's not free -- prices vary -- but you also get bigger seats so it could get pricy. Over the past few years, a few other Asian airlines used social media to boast about no-kids zones but U.S. carriers have not followed suit, maybe because they already have a de facto no-baby zone: first class. I have a better idea: Noise-canceling headphones.
Business Traveler with Frugal Boss
The boss said no to the lie-flat seats in business class but you'd still like an amenity or two. Try using miles for an upgrade or get an airline-branded credit card that guarantees some zippy perks. The range of card benefits varies as do the annual fees so do an analysis, to see if any of work for you.
Frugal, but Comfort-minded
Airline seats are getting narrower (and if you put on a pound or two over the holidays you'll really notice this). Paying for a bigger seat may be the answer. Sometime it's the seat alone, sometimes a bundle which might include a free bag or other perk. Prices for Spirit's 'Big Seat' range from $12 to $199 depending on length of flight.
Up and Down Traveler
Dry skin and chapped lips are part of the misery of flying for some, thanks to those dehydrating airplane cabins (although things have improved on newer aircraft like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner). Health-conscious travelers prudently drink lots of water which is great unless they're seated by the window. When it's time to visit the restroom that means climbing over seatmates again and again (how fun for them). If an aisle isn't available at time of ticket purchase, keeping checking back to see if one frees up. If not, and you don't have miles for an upgrade, consider paying a fee for a better-positioned seat (not necessarily roomier though) which can cost just a few dollars and up.
Minimalist Flyer
This lucky traveler can avoid all baggage fees by traveling with a smallish backpack. If it fits under the seat in front of you, you'll avoid the carry-on fee charged by Allegiant, Frontier and Spirit. Other airlines don't charge for carry-ons at all so stuff it in the overhead bin, stretch out your legs and congratulate yourself for avoiding the $50 checked-bag fee.
Food-Friendly Flyer
A frugal friend recently had to ditch the snack she brought aboard a Delta flight after a crew member announced another passenger had a severe nut allergy. Since she hadn't eaten in a while, she broke down and bought roast beef sliders. "Pretty good," she said, "but not worth ten bucks." Bring your own snacks when possible to save money and have food you know you'll enjoy, but your seatmates would request that you not bring tuna, onions or anything else too smelly.
The opinions expressed by Rick Seaney in this column are his alone and do not reflect the views of ABC News.
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