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!

“Discount Airlines” Rule the Skies

Even when using online-based travel services, like Travelocity.com, Hotwire.com or Kayak.com, to book airline tickets with the major airlines at significant discounts, passengers still need to pay up when it comes to all of those extras – checking luggage, food, drinks, and booking fees, for example. These fees easily add $50.00 to $100.00 to the cost of a roundtrip ticket.

As a frequent flier, I’ve begun to seriously wonder why the major airlines aren’t following in the footsteps of JetBlue, Southwest, Virgin America, AirTran, and the other “discount” airlines when it comes to offering extremely low airfares, few or no extra fees, and a friendly attitude amongst its flight attendants, ticket counter representatives and customer service personnel.

Many of these discount airlines also still offer free snacks and drinks, plus they’re not charging to check one or two pieces of luggage. They’re also a lot more flexible when it comes to cancelling or changing flights and don’t charge outrageous penalties of $100.00 or more, like the major airlines. (Pay attention United, Delta, American Airlines, US Airways, etc.!)

If you’re looking for truly low airfares with far fewer restrictions and lower (or no) extra fees, but still want comfort and convenience on the airplane, seriously consider booking your future flights on one of the “discount” airlines, like JetBlue, Southwest, Virgin America or AirTran.

Many of these airlines don’t offer their flights through the popular online travel services, so you’ll need to visit each of these airlines’ respective websites directly to compare fares, find flights and make online reservations. In fact, it’s often cheaper to book your airfare online than it is to call these airlines directly on the phone.

When visiting each airline’s website, sign up for their free email mailing list, and you’ll automatically be notified of online sales and special promotions that’ll allow you to save even more money on airfares or complete travel packages.

Simply by shopping around online and visiting the websites of the discount airlines directly, you often don’t have to worry about seven, 14 or 21-day advance purchases, or the traditional need to stay over on a Saturday night to get the lowest airfares.

This afternoon (Monday), I booked a non-stop flight on JetBlue for my mother - from Boston to Oakland, CA, departing tomorrow (Tuesday afternoon), and found a one-way airfare of just $99.00 (plus tax). Other airlines were charging $400.00 or more for a similar one-way, last-minute ticket. That brings me to the point that unlike the major airlines, JetBlue, Southwest, AirTran and Virgin America, for example, allow you to easily and cost-effectively book one way flights.

These airlines typically have fleets of new airplanes that offer comfortable seats featuring private TVs with a selection of cable TV channels (just bring your own headset to avoid a $1.00 or $2.00 charge). Some also now offer Wi-Fi Internet access on the flights (for a low fee). Check with each airline directly to see what in-flight services and amenities are offered.

Oh, and if you’re traveling with a pet, JetBlue is one of the first airlines to offer a really well thought out pet travel program, called JetPaws (www.jetblue.com/jetpaws). And, if you’re a student or senior citizen, be sure to inquire about special discounts offered by these airlines.

After recently flying with several of these “discount” airlines, I’ve become a fan, and I’m confident you will too! Plus, your bank account will appreciate it. One thing to consider before booking a flight that has one or more stops is the length of the layover. 

On a recent flight from Boston to San Francisco on JetBlue, I had a three hour layover in Long Beach, CA, which really extended my travel day. Obviously, book a direct flight whenever possible. If you do have a layover, one that lasts between 60 to 90 minutes is ideal. Any shorter, and you run the risk of missing your connecting flight, and any longer means waiting around in an airport. Happy travels!

Watch Out For Hidden Airline Fees Before Booking Your Next Ticket

Whether you book your next airline ticket directly with an airline, or use one of the popular travel-related services, like Hotwire.com, Travelocity.com or Kayak.com, before booking that often non-refundable ticket, determine what extra fees you'll be responsible for and calculate them into your travel budget to avoid unwanted surprises.

To determine what's included with your coach, business or first class airline ticket, contact your airline directly, or visit its website.

Some of the most common airline-related fees that many travelers forget to consider include:

* Baggage Check Fees - Most airlines allow one (1) free checked bag and then charge up to $25.00 for each additional bag. Some airlines, however, now charge $15.00 or $25.00 for each bag that's checked (including the first bag). Carry-ons continue to be free.

* Overweight Bag Fees - If your checked suitcase weights more than 50 pounds, you'll be hit with an "overweight" baggage fee of $50.00 or $75.00, depending on the airline. The airlines will actually add this fee if your bag weighs in at 51 or 52 pounds, so pack accordingly.

* Telephone Booking Fees - A fee up to $20.00 per ticket will be charged for calling an airline's toll-free phone number to book your ticket(s).

* Preferred Seating Fee - A few airlines have begin charging for a few inches of extra legroom, as well as window or isle seats in the coach cabin. 

* Pillows, Blankets and Entertainment Charges - Want to take a nap, stay warm or watch a movie during your flight? Some airlines now charge $5.00 or more for each of these added amenities. My recommendation: Load up your Apple iPod, iTouch, iPhone or laptop computer with a handful of TV show episodes or movies you download from iTunes, and then watch what you want during the flight.

* Snacks, Drinks and Meals - What used to be offered free of charge during a flight now comes with a fee. Most airlines still offer free non-alcoholic drinks, but almost all now charge for snacks and meals. If you want edible and affordable food during your flight, your best bet is to bring your own.

* In-Flight Internet Service - A few airlines have begin offering in-flight Internet access via Wi-Fi. If you want to access the Web using your laptop computer or wireless PDA device, it'll cost you up to $15.00 per flight.

* Traveling with Your Small Dog - Some airlines welcome small dogs as travel companions, but they'll need to stay in their carrier and kept under your seat. The fee to travel with your small dog in the airline's cabin will be between $50.00 and $100.00 each way. Separate fees apply if you'll be traveling with a larger dog that needs to be "checked" in the plane's cargo hold (which is NOT something I recommend for the dog's safety and well-being).

Once you add up some or all of these fees, expect to pay an extra $25.00 to $100.00 per person (each way) before and during your next flight. Keep in mind, not all airlines accept credit cards during a flight, so bring cash to purchase in-flight snacks and services.

When choosing which airline to fly with, if there's a chance you'll need to cancel or change your flight(s) once they've been booked and paid for, pay careful attention to the airline's cancellation, change and rebooking fees and policies. The majority of the major airlines charge a $150.00 change fee, plus the fare difference between your old ticket and the cost of the new flight.

These days, there are some incredible airfare bargains to be found, especially if you use the web to book your travel. However, don't forget to calculate in all of the extra fees and charges you may be responsible for.

Buying The Perfect Luggage For Your Trip

The first step to choosing appropriate luggage is to determine your needs. Figure out what you’ll be carrying and how long you typically travel for (from one to three days, from three to five days, or a week or longer). In your checked luggage, will you be packing several business suits that can easily get wrinkled or more casual attire? Knowing this will help you determine the size, design, and number of bags you should purchase to meet your unique needs.

TIP: Many pieces of luggage from high-end companies, such as Tumi (www.tumi.com) or Orvis (www.orvis.com), have seperate compartments designed to hold suits and other clothing that you want to remain wrinkle-free.

The luggage you ultimately select should be easy to transport. After all, you’ll need to navigate your way through busy airports, down long hotel hallways, and in and out of cars or taxis. Doing this with poorly designed luggage can put added stress on your back, neck, and arms. Plus, you don’t want your luggage to fall apart mid-trip.

Soft-sided luggage with durable wheels is ideal for most travelers. This type of luggage tends to weigh less, which is important, since all major airlines now have strict weight restrictions for checked luggage. Bags weighing more than 50 pounds are each subject to a surcharge of $25, $50, $100, or more, depending on the airline.

Passengers are also limited to checking only one or two bags (depending on the airline). Each additional bag is subject to a fee of $50, $100, or more. It’s important that the luggage you choose be able to hold everything you’ll need to have with you, yet meet your airline’s requirements.

The construction of a bag is as important as its design. Ideally, you want luggage designed to take a beating, yet remain strong. You’ll pay a bit extra for bags with strong and padded handles, durable wheels that glide smoothly, well-sewn seams, heavy-duty zippers, and that are made from extra-strong material - such as ballistic nylon or napa leather. But over the long-term, these bags will last much longer and keep their contents safer.

When evaluating luggage, consider the interior design of each bag. Does the luggage have enough pockets and compartments to accommodate your needs? Will it allow you to keep your toiletries separate (in case of spillage)? Also, is the bag comfortable to carry or pull? Are the handles durable, padded, and located in the best possible places?

By visiting a specialty luggage store or high-end department store, you’ll be able to see top-quality, name-brand luggage from a variety of manufacturers. Remember, when it comes to the price of the bag, make sure you’re paying for top-quality construction, not just for a designer name.

Each popular luggage manufacturer typically offers several product lines with different looks, color-schemes, designs, and levels of construction quality. If you take only one trip per year, you may be able to purchase less expensive and lower quality luggage. However, if you travel often, you should invest in durable luggage that will last.

TIP: If you’re buying luggage with wheels, make sure the wheels are well-made, spin smoothly, are quiet when they roll, and don’t wobble. Remember, when the bag is full, you’ll be pulling or carrying up to 50 pounds. Also, focus on the construction of the bag’s handles and zippers, as well as the material used for the bag’s overall construction.

The last factors to consider are the look of the bags and the color scheme, as well as how the various bags in the set interconnect for easy transport. Just because the manufacturer offers a set of luggage with five or six bags in different sizes and styles, this doesn’t mean you need all these bags. Pick and choose the bag styles that best meet your needs. Many larger bags on wheels have hooks that allow you to easily attach smaller bags.

As soon as you’ve purchased your luggage, make sure you fill out and securely attach luggage tags with, at least, your full name and phone number. (Listing your address and cell phone number are optional.) It’s also important to place your contact information inside each checked bag. This will make it easier to recover your belongings if the bag gets lost in transit or the luggage tag falls off.

When shopping for luggage, check out luggage sets by several manufacturers. Be sure to ask about the luggage’s warranty and determine the process for getting bags repaired. Some luggage companies charge a minimum of $100 per bag (plus shipping), even for a basic repair.

Remember, many bags from different manufacturers look very similar but have a very different construction quality and overall value.