Airlines keep increasing fees for travelers

So, you thought you got a great deal on an airplane ticket. Going to Greenland for $30 seemed nice, but wait, you are about to get clobbered by the oldest trick in the airline book. Once you pay for baggage, service tax, landing tax, security tax, and tax tax, your $30 ticket has suddenly grown to $300. How can this be?

Airlines have for years been doing this bait and switch routine. They price fares low, but then put all these fees and taxes on top to hide the true cost of a ticket. How can you compare one price to another when every airline has different fees, taxes, and surcharges? That is the whole idea, they don’t want you to be able to compare.

It is no wonder that the public hates airline travel. Airlines are considered dead last in customer service ratings year after year. Think about the last time you travelled and what comes to mind? Usually, long lines, badly trained minimum wage earning ticket agents, and lost and damage baggage. Does that sound like a good experience? And to top it off, the airlines want to turn you upside down and shake the change out of your pockets for the priveledge. So, what can you do to avoid being ripped off after you purchase your ticket?

First of all, start by getting a magnifying glass so that you can read the one point font terms and conditions before you buy your airline ticket. Shop around on the price comparison web sites like Travelocity, Priceline, and Expedia. There are also comparison sites like voyij that are supposed to check all the sites at once, but I have had spotty luck with these sites. I really like buying from companies like Expedia or Travelocity that have good rates, and more importantly, better customer service than the airline sites themselves.

It is a good idea to check company sites just in case, like NWA.com or United.com, but typically, prices on these sites will be a bit higher than on resellers’ sites unless you really take the time to search every possible conceivable combination of time and itinerary, which no one does. Better to call the airlines customer service line and have Suzy Sunshine on the phone look through her “fare ladders” to determine the best rate. This is anoying and time consuming, but if you want to save hard core, this may help. I was able to get a ticket to Europe for under $500 return this way by using a few loopholes. If the agent you get is not helpful or friendly, hang up and call someone else that will be.

Keep your options flexible if at all possible. Sometimes just by changing your arrival or departure by just one day, you can save a bundle. Try to go at the times no one else is going like in Fall or just after Christmas and before new year. Less people usually means lower fares. Then, when you have found the dates you want to travel, get down to the nitty gritty.

Check the after tax charge for tickets by going through the order of the cheapest ticket online all the way until the end just before purchasing. Then, back up and go through the second cheapest etc. You might be surprised that by the time the taxes and fees are added, the third lowest price flight actually comes out the best. Also check the fees for extra luggage, pets, oxygen and water, etc. if you need these things. One of the most insidious charges is the charge for the first bag. In the old days (I.E., before airlines tried to nickle and dime us to death) you could take 10 steamer trunks for free. Now, many airlines charge an arm and a toe or two just to check one bag. Pack light to avoid this charge (See my other article).

By using just a little common sense and a lot of planning, you can get the best price available for your trip. The keys are to stay flexible in your dates and times, checking all the fine print, and packing light to keep the airlines from draining your wallet. It is too bad so many airlines just can’t seem to listen to what customers actually want. But, since they can’t, you have to be an informed customer to save money.