With summer here, now is the time to plan a relaxing trip or enjoy a productive business travel excursion. However, if you’re looking for good deals on flight tickets, you may be surprised by the number of unexpected fees. Here are some of the most common airline fees travelers encounter.

What Fees Do Airlines Charge for Checked Bags?

While checked bags used to be included as part of tickets sold by most legacy carriers, more airlines charge separately. Southwest Airlines®, for example, allows people to check up to two bags at no additional cost. The median fee for a checked bag was $25 for the first bag and $35 for the second. Consumers also need to be mindful of weight limits for checked bags, as certain discount carriers, such as Spirit Airlines® and Allegiant Air®, set the maximum at 40 pounds. When bags exceed weight limits, customers can often be charged more than $100.

What Are the Fees for Carry-On Bags?

Carry-on items used to be generally included, but more airlines have recently made efforts to charge for them in certain circumstances. For example, Basic Economy fares offered by some legacy carriers include provisions that customers who check carry-on bags at the gate can be charged additional fees. Spirit, Allegiant, and Frontier Airlines® are low-cost carriers that also charge carry-on fees that can range from $15 to $100.

How Are Fees Imposed for Assigned Seating?

Some people might have no preference on where in an aircraft they sit, but seating is often important to parents traveling with children, or individuals on business travel seeking additional legroom. The ability to choose your own seat varies among both legacy and low-cost carriers, but most will charge a small fee for certain seating requests. 

If you need help making sure your next flight fits your budget, contact the dedicated staff at Town & Country Travel, Inc. We are located in Pittsford, NY, and provide vacation, luxury, and business travel services for clients in communities throughout Upstate New York. Visit our website to learn more about possible vacation spots or call (800) 747-2850 to speak with one of our vacation and business travel consultants.