Carry-On Baggage Fees: UPDATE

According to the Associated Press, five of the major U.S. airlines, including American Airlines, Delta, United, US Airways and JetBlue have agreed NOT to start charging for carry-on bags anytime in the near future. Spirit Airlines, however, does plan to charge passengers for carru-on bags, in addition to checked luggage. Check out the article by clicking here.

Spirit Airlines Introduces Even More Extra Fees: Major Airlines Could Be Next

The airlines are constantly looking for new ways to hit their passengers with extra fees. As of April 5th, Spirit Airlines began charging for carry-on bags that are placed in the overhead bin.

That's right, while you can still place one personal item under the seat in front of you for free, if you opt to use the overhead compartment, it'll cost you between $20.00 and $45.00 per item each way. Read the company's press release by clicking here.

Of course, the airline also charges between $15.00 and $45.00 each for your checked bags for both domestic and international flights. While Spirit Airlines is considered a smaller airline, chances are it won't be long before the other major airlines adopt this new carry-on bag fee. After all, airlines like United Airlines are notorious for hitting passengers with as many extra fees as possible, above and beyond the base ticket price.

If you're a Spirit Fare Club member, you'll be charged less to use the overhead compartment in the cabin, as well as for your checked luggage. Plus, the airline claims to also have lowered their already discounted fares slightly.

So, it looks like if the airlines get their way, if your personal items don't fit under the seat in front of you, you'll need to shell out some more cash as a passenger. The good news is that breathing aboard the aircraft, and using the restroom are still free (at least for now).

(Updated: April 8, 2010) Whoops...I spoke too soon. According to an article in today's New York Daily News (click here), UK-based RyanAir is now charging passengers to pee. This is getting a bit outrageous!

Credit Card Users Beware: Travel Perks Are Disappearing Fast

New laws were recently created to help protect consumers against the abuse and excessive fees they often receive from the credit card companies. Well, if you're one of those people who think your credit card still protects you when you travel by offering perks like insurance when renting a car, baggage delay insurance, travel accident insurance, and/or roadside assistance, for example, think again.

Many of the major credit card companies that once offered these perks to travelers have discontinued them. Often the credit card companies disclose changes to their card holder agreements through direct mail pieces disguised as junk mail (which credit card users typically throw out). In other words, the perks you think your credit card offers may no longer be available, and you might not realize it.

Before your next trip, if you're planning to utilize travel protection perks offered by your credit card, call the credit card issuer directly and make sure these perks are still offered. While you're at it, make sure you understand what these insurances and travel-related perks cover, as many of the offers are a bit misleading in terms of coverages.

If you want a wide range of protections when you travel for business or pleasure, consider investing in travel insurance from a company like TravelGuard. Whenever I travel overseas, I always purchase this insurance, and for me, it's come in very handy on several trips in the past.

To help you better understand the new credit card laws, visit a website like CreditCards.com. You can also read an article published on Federal Reserve's website by clicking here.