Are there hidden costs of Budget Airlines

What are some of the hidden cost of dicscount airlines? People are looking for various ways they can save some money. And for those who use air travel, finding a budget airline maybe a sigh of relief. But before you click on “buy now” to purchase a ticket, you should ensure that you know every detail of your booking agreement. Or else you may be disappointed that the airline you thought was cheap has become an expensive overall total.

Recently, there has been an increase in budget airlines that offer travelers low fares. These airlines reduce expenditure by minimizing indirect costs. They do this in several ways including providing no meals service, frills, and pre-assigned seats. But, while these benefit the budget air operators, it can be awkwardly costly for passengers. So, if you don’t want to get surprised by hidden costs and extras in budget airlines, you should know about these surprising fees.

Over the Phone and In-Person Booking

Booking a flight is supposed to be free but some airlines can charge for booking one over the phone or in person. Depending on a flight, phone bookings can range from $0-$25 while in-person booking fees range from $0-$35.

Carry-on Bag

While some airlines allow passengers to bring one carry-on bag for free, some don’t. Whether you’ll pay for a carry-on bag depends on the type of ticket purchased and the size of your bag. For example, American Airlines and United recently removed basic economy seats which charge travelers $25 extra for a full-sized carry-on bag or luggage that needs overhead bin space. Therefore, passengers are allowed 1 free item that fits under the seat in front of them.

Last words on this subject, both spirit and Frontier require you to use a personal bag no larger than 18x8x14. If you show up with a bag larger than this at the gate you may be charged as much as 80 dollars to board with a larger bag. I have seen many arguments break out over this policy, but it will not change.

The perfect bag for this is sold at Walmart for less than 20 dollars. It is called a boardingblue bag. It was designed for this purpose. Visit Walmart online and you should be able to find the bag.

Reservation, Cancellation and Change Fees

Some airlines charge individuals a change of reservation or cancellation fees. However, these fees range significantly depending on the airline. For example, Delta Air Lines charges $200 and $500 for change fees for domestic and international flights respectively.

Picking a Seat

Choosing a seat was once a free perk but nowadays most airlines charge travelers for picking their seats in advance. For example, Spirit charges from $5 for seat assignments. However, passengers pay premium for an aisle, a window, or a seat with added legroom. But, there are still airlines like Lufthansa that allow people to choose their seats as long as it’s 24 hours before departure. The only problem is that the best seats may have already been picked with passengers who pay extra for advanced reservations.

Non-Alcoholic Beverage

Airlines used to offer juice or soft drink and charge extra for alcoholic drinks. However, some operators now charge for soft drinks. Budget airlines like Frontier and Spirit charge extra for non-alcoholic beverages and snacks too. 

Additionally, those who want to sleep during their flights and enjoy the comfort of a pillow or blanket may be forced to pay extra for these goodies. American Airlines charges $8 for a blanket or pillow while JetBlue passengers pay an extra $5-$6.

In-flight Wi-Fi

Some airlines offer high-speed Wi-Fi for their customers for free. However  most airlines charge passengers for in-flight access to the internet. Depending on the airline it may charge a flat fee for full flight or an hourly rate. Prices may also vary in domestic and international flights.

Final Thoughts

Flying fees even on budget airlines aren’t cheap. And worse is when one is forced to pay for extra costs that they weren’t aware of. Therefore, knowing these hidden fees can help one budget better for their next flight.