Finding a great airfare is a wonderful first step toward affordable travel. But even with bargain in hand, it is still possible to pay too much for air travel. So many other fees and services are tied to this kind of travel that you must be careful from the time you leave home until you return. Take a look at tips beyond fare shopping for budget air travel.
How to Avoid Baggage Fees
Mark Kahler, licensed to About.com
Baggage fees are among the most annoying costs of air travel. Once free of charge, the privilege of checking bags now costs money on most carriers. It's important for a budget traveler to minimize or even avoid these costs. Check out 10 step by step tips for keeping your money out of the baggage fee equation.
Baggage Fees for Budget Airlines
Mark Kahler, licensed to About.com
Don't assume for one moment that all budget airlines extend their deep discounts to the baggage fee schedule. In fact, some will make up for lower airfares by hiking checked baggage fees. The idea is to pay only for what you will use. It might keep airfares down, but it can be quite disconcerting if you're planning to check a lot of baggage. Check out baggage fees for budget airlines before you fly.
Baggage Fees for Major Airlines
Mark Kahler, licensed to About.com
Major airlines found lucrative revenue streams when they began charging passengers for checking baggage. What was once free now can run into quite a bit of money quickly unless you properly manage these fees. Take a look at some fees and policies for the larger airlines.
Does Your Carry-On Fit Regulations?
Mark Kahler, licensed to About.com
It's a simple question that results in some complicated answers: Does your suitcase qualify as a carry-on, or will you be forced to check it? The reason for the complexity is that budget travelers often find themselves on smaller commuter planes that offer varying amounts of storage space within the cabin. Airlines sometimes offer a variety of definitions for "carry-on baggage." Read more and determine if you'll be able to practice one-bag, carry-on travel on your next trip.
Airline Credit Cards
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Take a look at some common airline-based mileage credit cards. Using these cards for everyday purchases over time can run up enough mileage for a free trip. But don't immediately assume they are a good idea. Consider both the good news and the bad news for each card, and take a look at the frequent-flier programs to which they are tied before you make a final decision.
How to Avoid Extra Flight Costs
Mark Kahler, licensed to About.com
Do we sometimes underestimate the ground-based charges that make air travel even more expensive? Here is a step by step approach to budgeting for items unrelated to airfares or airline fees. These charges are made on the ground, and they can make the difference between economical air travel and a grounded budget.
How to Avoid Plane Food Costs
Mark Kahler, licensed to About.com
These days, travelers cannot assume a meal or even a snack will be free on an their upcoming flights. When it becomes necessary to provide food in the course of air travel, it pays to consider ways to manage these expenses. After all, airports and airlines are not noted for providing affordable food. Check out some steps for avoiding plane food costs.
Airline Fees to Avoid
Mark Kahler, licensed to About.com
There are taxes and other government-imposed fees that simply cannot be avoided while flying. But airlines are offering up a vast array of new fees, and some of them are for traditional services to which many became accustomed in years past. It pays to look at some of these fees and make yourself a promise to avoid as many as possible. Here are a few suggestions for achieving that goal on your next trip.
Frequent-Flier Rewards Questions
Don Arnold/Getty Images News
No matter if you earn your miles through travel or credit card spending, there are bound to be questions about how to maximize your benefits. Amid an already confusing system, some airlines are completely revamping their reward programs. Take a look at a guide to these programs and how you should be spending your precious frequent-flier reward miles.
Readers Choice Awards 2011
Mark Kahler, licensed to About.com
In early 2011, readers at About.com Budget Travel nominated their favorite frequent-flier programs as well as the best budget airlines in the U.S. and around the world. Then, they selected one final winner in each of those three categories. Find out who won and what they offer.
