Confusing Airline Fees, New Charges Cost Travelers More than Just Money BOSTON, July 24
BOSTON, July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Booking a flight is no longer a
straightforward process; to help travelers make sense of the extra costs,
SmarterTravel.com(TM), a comprehensive online travel resource, has reviewed
each airline's policies and put together the "Airline Fees Survival Guide."
"Purchasing airfare is no longer as simple as putting in a destination and
dates and then selecting the lowest price available online. Airline fees can
really add up, making the discount tickets seem more like first class," said
Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel.com. "Travelers need to be aware
of how much each fee can tack on to already expensive tickets, and we wanted
to go the extra mile to show the best strategies for saving travelers a few
dollars."
SmarterTravel(R) reviewed several flight scenarios and compared ticket
prices with the additional airline fees. Given all the factors that could
affect travelers, SmarterTravel recommends the following strategies:
-- Book Non-stop. Connecting flights do not always mean cheaper
flights -- they can end up costing more because taxes include Passenger
Facility Charges (PFCs) for each airport in the itinerary.
-- Avoid Paying for Seat Assignments. The nominal fee may not be unseemly
for one traveler, but multiplied by a family of four each way, and it's the
airline that made out, not the travelers.
-- Determine Overall Prices vs. Checked Bag Fees. Some airlines publish
significantly lower rates than the competition; however, the total number of
fees they levy may add significantly to the overall trip. Add it all up before
confirming the purchase.
-- Be a Defensive Packer. Packing light goes without saying, but travelers
can also pack smart by including an empty water bottle in your carryon,
packing clothes for multiple purposes and including snacks and
entertainment -- all helping to avoid airline fees and additional charges.
To ensure the best deal, SmarterTravel has put together a chart of all
associated airline fees at www.smartertravel.com/link/airline-fees-chart. For
the complete "Airline Fees Survival Guide," visit
www.smartertravel.com/link/airlinesurvival.
If you would like to repurpose SmarterTravel's airline fees chart, please
contact Mel Bolton at 510-704-0870.
About Smarter Travel Media LLC
Smarter Travel Media LLC operates the airfarewatchdog.com(TM),
bookingbuddy.com(TM) and SmarterTravel.com(TM) sites, including sites in the
UK and India. SmarterTravel.com is the most comprehensive travel resource site
available, offering consumers up-to-date expert advice and information for
their every travel need. Created by an unbiased team of dedicated journalists,
the site's goal is to help travelers better manage every aspect of their
travel experience by making researched, informed decisions. For more
information and travel advice, visit http://www.smartertravel.com/
Airfarewatchdog, BookingBuddy and SmarterTravel are either trademarks or
registered trademarks of Smarter Travel Media LLC in the U.S. and/or other
countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be
the property of their respective owners.
Smarter Travel Media LLC. All rights reserved.
SOURCE Smarter Travel Media LLC
