How to Avoid Airline Fees

Tired of all of the airline fee announcements? Baggage fees, prime seat fees, change fees, booking over the phone fees, etc...too many! Find out what you can do to avoid paying them if at all possible.

• Use Kayak, SideStep or FareCast for information. Most airlines will be included in the results. Orbitz, Expedia, Hotwire, Travelocity, Priceline and others may also be listed as suppliers.
  
  
• Go to the airlines official website. Compare the results with what you found from other suppliers. If possible, book directly with them. You will not pay a booking fee and the change fees will be less.
  
  
• Before you purchase tickets, see if it is possible to put tickets on hold (generally for about 24 hours). It will buy you some time and save you change fees. This is a particularly good option if you are not 100% sure of the travel dates and time, but would like to secure the rate. (United)
  
  
• Check to see if the airlines that will enable you to cancel your tickets without penalty, typically within a 24 hour period if you booked online. Be sure you are logged into your account as some require you to be signed in at the time of purchase. (Delta and Continental) TIP: Check to see if the airfare goes down within that time period. You may be able to rebook or ask for a price adjustment.
  
  
• Read the terms and conditions. There may be hidden fees that are not included in the price you are quoted. An example is the airline baggage fees. TIP: Try to pack light and travel with the allowed number and types of carry-ons.
  
  
• If you want to change your flight to an earlier one, try to go standby. Sometimes there will be no charge if you take a different flight when you make changes at the gate (vs. the ticket counter). To increase your chances of getting on standby, call the airlines prior to arrival to find out the flight is at capacity. Be sure to get to the gate as early as possible and ask them to put you on the standby list. NOTE: This works best if you only have carry-on luggage. If you have checked bags, they may be going on a different flight or you may be required to take the flight your bags are checked in to take.
  
  
• IMPORTANT: If you need to cancel your flights, do so before the plane is scheduled to take off. Otherwise, you may forfeit the ticket and not be entitled to a refund or credit.

How to Avoid Hotel Fees

Don't book that great deal until you know the actual costs. If it sounds too good to be true, it just might be!

• When comparing rates, calculate your total cost for your stay. Some websites might quote lower prices, but add on a booking fee before check out.
  
  
• Be sure the rate is refundable, unless you are going to take that trip no matter what. Sometimes you can get a great rate, but if something comes up, you will lose all of your deposit and maybe more.
  
  
• Review the cancellation policy. Note the date and time of the change/cancel deadlines. You may end up paying for one night's stay (or more) if you wait too long to cancel.
  
  
• Check to see if there is a parking fee. You may be required to pay more for your stay than you realize.
  
  
• If it is a condo or vacation rental property, see if there is a cleaning fee. This could be an additional charge that you were not expecting.
  
  
• You may be getting a special rate because you are required to go to a timeshare presentation. If you do not attend, you may end up paying a higher rate or a fee at check out.
  
  
• Sign up for the hotel or hotel chain's reward program. If you are an elite or preferred club member, you may be able to avoid paying fees if you cancel or change dates after the deadline. It is also possible that you will receive additional benefits such as a free newspaper, coupons, gifts and special promotional rates.