As their corpulent systems collide with increasingly harsh economic realities, airlines are making up more creative fees and charging for things that used to be free. Here’s 9 of the worst offenders of the hidden airline fees, via Aviation.com.
9. Making a reservation on the phone or in person. Fee: $5-$20
8. Cashing in frequent flyer miles without “sufficient” advance notice. Fee: $0-100.
7. Bringing a pet onboard in the cabin/ Fee: $50-85 (each way)
6. Re-banking frequent flyer miles. Fee: $50-100
5. Checking luggage. Fee: $3-10 (each way)
4. Getting a refund when a fare goes down. Fee: $25 to $200 or more.
3. Flying standby on the same day of travel. Fee: $0-50
2. Paying for lap children. Fee: $10 to 10 percent of the adult fare
1. Getting a seat assignment. Fee: $5-$11 (each way)
What’s your least favorite hidden airline fee?
Most Obnoxious Hidden Airline Fees [Aviation] (Thanks to Brandon!)
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Whoops, wrong article – should’ve posted this on the one that talks about increasing rates 15-20%.
@aphexbr:
“As for pets, more weight, possibility of needing to use animal handlers at either end and resulting airport charges. Again, annoying and maybe overpriced by reasonable.”
You have it a bit wrong. we’re charged $75 per way (jetblue on a short flight. the charge is actually MORE than OUR ticket) for our 18 pound dog that MUST be in carrier closed at all times and under the seat in front of us for the duration of the flight.
My point – fairly hassle free for other passengers. Very fair and reasonable rules.
So it’s 18 lbs of weight, and he tends to pack light..
He’s cool under the seat and doesn’t fuss or anything and actually likes it.
the fee is not computed using your variables. No handlers needed and he takes up 0 space whatsoever as he is occupying a space that would remain an empty space.
We can get nitpicky and say that he’s taking up the space of say a purse as maybe the person with the dog has to store the purse or whatever overhead.
The fee is computed very simply:
“wanna bring your dog? $75 dollars please. Too much? OK, whatever…”
To me, it’s more of a “luxury” tax than anything else. I really wish it were more “fair” as in – if he’s under the seat say $25 and if it gets more involved with a bigger dog scale up as needed.
@sir_eccles: Yeah there was the oxygen mask thing. There was one extra oxygen mask in one aisle down the the plane. One way they split us up because of it. On the other way no one would agree to sit by the screaming baby in the no leg room place so they broke the rules and sat us there even though there was a perfectly fine empty seat with the extra oxygen mask. This seat was used by the stewardess occasionally, but she would not use the one by the baby, again because of the screaming baby and lack of leg room.
BTW my aunt just LOT from Chicago to Warsaw a few days ago with a SEVEN hour delay out of Chicago because their crew is so incompetent. No other flights were delayed much more than the usual, they just had trouble rounding-up enough crew for the flight.
Air Canada charges you if you want better customer service…
[www.aircanada.com]
@MissPinkKate: I’m all for the pet fee. I’ve had to sit next to people with their lap /purse pets. It’s annoying as hell. Even the ones in the carriers make noise. You want to fly with your pet, pay the fee.
How about $50-100 each way for a surfboard? I can’t understand how this makes sense when most airlines let you bring a pair of skis, snowboard, or golf clubs for free. I could understand if it was limited to 9-10′longobards, but a 6′ surfboard that weighs 5 lbs can’t possibly cost more than a set of golf clubs. Plus they have you sign a waiver that says they’re not responsible for any damage; so it’s not like the money is going toward some sort of insurance.