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9 Sneaky Airline Charges and How to Avoid Them

For anyone who has to travel frequently with time being the crucial factor, flying is the best option. However, it is really dizzying to notice how easily airline charges add up to significantly shake up your budget. Not long back you could be confident enough when buying an air ticket that the fare would include everything, from the commutation charge to a nice fluffy pillow, a warm blanket, and piping hot dinner. But that was yesterday! Nowadays, airlines tend to charge for everything, practically even the air that we breathe in!

Adding fees for different services that an airline might offer you with its ticket, it doesn’t just make the price of traveling itself humongous but also makes it extremely difficult for us to compare different airline charges. The airline tickets that we may buy thinking of as the cheapest, may, in fact, turn out to be exactly the opposite, by sneaking in a variety of charges along with the primary airline charges.

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Now while there are some additional airline charges that you simply cannot avoid, like last minute travel changes, or when you need to redeem the benefit for frequent flier miles etc, all hope is not lost. There are still some which you must always try in order to get the best value for money.

1. Checked Bags

Most airlines allow two pieces of luggage as carry-on items, but virtually every checked bag is charged a certain fee. Certain airlines have thus made a ‘no fee’ policy their focal point for advertising to lure more customers. Budget travelers must be aware of this and take into account the policy of different airlines on specific days to avoid this extra airline charge. Better to go through the latest information on airlines website than regret later.This would be time well invested.

2. Oversized Baggage

People who carry heavy luggage or oversized bags may also have to shell out a penalty. Often the fee structure is buried deep in the airline policy disclaimer which contains the acceptable sizes and weights of the carried luggage. So, to avoid going through this hassle and to avoid the fee altogether, make a habit to pack only the essentials and travel light if possible.

3. Counter or Operator Services

Another way airlines sneak in extra fees is by charging for services requiring the assistance of their personnel. To avoid this surcharge try to book your flights through their online booking system instead of making a call or going to the counter. Why take a chance?

4. In-Flight Movies

Usually, the airlines which charge for movies offered to you during a flight are budget airlines with the cheapest airfares and the policy to only charge for what you may use. But watching movies during flights may make you part away with some dear money easily. To counter this problem, invest in a portable DVD player which may cost somewhere around $100 but can quickly cover the cost of what you may have alternately spent on movies otherwise.

5. In-Flight Snacks

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Flights, which at some good old point in the past offered the convenience of snacks and meals free of cost, are now known to charge a bomb for a meal! To avoid this ‘inconvenience’ it is better to pack in your own snacks for the flight if the airline allows in your carry-on bag. Also, try not to wait until you reach the airport to buy these snacks and save some more money getting them instead at a local grocery store near your house.

6. Blankets and Pillows

Earlier airlines aimed to make the flight a comfortable experience for its passengers, which now seems to have shifted to revenue generation game. Airline charges nowadays even include fees to provide the basic amenities of pillows and blankets. If you can make do without these then avoid opting for them and send a strong message to the airlines.

7. Wi-Fi

Spending on service for providing Wi-Fi to the passengers is an area of uncertainty for most Airlines since people often seem unwilling to pay for it. Those who are on expense budget or need to work in-flight as well may part away with the moolah, but for the others on the strict budget can definitely do without internet for a few hours. Why not indulge in a good book instead?

8. Pets

Airline charges for carrying pets is constantly on the rise and is anywhere around INR 5,000($125-$200) per carriage, which may change depending upon the size and breed of the animal. So, if there’s any chance you can avoid carrying your pet friend, please do so, and if not then better dig in deep into the airline website to determine the pet fee schedules in your favorite airline or opt for some other with cheaper prices. It is advisable to check with the airline on their dated policies for carrying pets, to avoid any confusion at the airport.

9. Alcoholic Drinks

Airlines are charging extra for alcoholic beverages for a long time now on international flights.The charges are definitely on the higher side so if you can keep your thirst quenched with water and soft drinks, it would be softer on your pocket else please be ready to shell out if you really cannot avoid.

In a nutshell, airline tickets are like pizzas. The plain cheese pizza is the cheapest and every add-on being charged.Hence think carefully about what toppings, oops! , services you want to add on to your travel ticket.

Safe travel!

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this post is based on the currently applicable airline charges which are subject to change with the revision of airline policy or rates.

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