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Holiday travel... What fees are YOU willing to pay for?
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Holiday travel... What fees are YOU willing to pay for?
Holiday travel is usually inevitable. While the holidays should be happy, fun, and festive, traveling during this time of year poses to be the most expensive and most stressful. The onslaught of new fees and charges from airlines makes it even more unbearable-- if that’s even possible with the already too familiar crowded airports, irritated travelers, lost luggage, and delayed/cancelled flights. So ask yourself this, “Is paying a little extra during this stressful travel time of year actually worth it?”. If you plan ahead knowing what extra fees you’ll want to pay for (or cannot avoid), it could make it less painful. Remember, Planned Spending is Savvy Spending!
We’ve rounded up some of the fees and charges (values are just approximations) that frustrate us and give our own two cents: - Checked Bags ($15 or more)
- SHOULD: If you’re traveling with kids, you might find it more convenient to check in your luggage, rather than lugging a huge piece of carry-on.
- SHOULDN’T: For short trips, which is usually the case for holiday travel, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that all your stuff is with you. What’s more frustrating than tracking your luggage throughout your holiday trip? We think it’s not worth paying this extra fee, given all the headaches that come with checked bags. If you were bringing gifts, we say spend the money buying online and sending them directly or shipping the gifts ahead of time.
- Food ($2-$10)
- SHOULD: We think buying food on-board is a last resort, unless it’s a super long flight and you don’t have space for a lot of food. Same thing for buying at the airport, but bear in mind that even if you were a trooper with packed snacks, unavoidable delays and cancellations will make purchasing food inevitable... and convenient.
- SHOULDN’T: Airline food is barely filling, and for the price they ask, it’s not worth it. Pack a few snacks (especially if you’re traveling with kids) like sandwiches and trail mix (things that will hold you over) and you’re all set with the free beverage they offer.
- Holiday Surcharges ($10-$30)
- SHOULD: If you’re dates are not flexible, there is no way to avoid these fees, so there’s really no pro to paying these annoying surcharges. It’s just there.
- SHOULDN’T: If you are able to work with your dates, you can avoid paying the highest surcharges if you fly on December 17, 18, 19, 25, and 31, or on January 1. It’s a small window, but at least there are some dates to work with. Also, not all airlines have these surcharges. American, Continental, Delta, United, and US Airways do not charge the fee.
- Blankets/Pillows ($7-$15)
- SHOULD: This is more of a preference. With long flights, it could be what keeps you comfy and sane. If you’re a stickler for hygiene, having a new pillow or blanket (as opposed to the re-used ones they hand out) could make it worth it.
- SHOULDN’T: If you buy, remember that you have to squeeze this item into your carry-on. We recommend bringing your own (especiallly if your kids have a favorite pillow or blanket). Yes, it is more to carry, but at least they’ll have something comforting and familiar amidst all the chaos and stress of traveling.
- Extra legroom ($10 to $50 or more)
- SHOULD: For us, this is one of those fees that are definitely worth it, for a lot of extra comfort, relaxation and space to stretch out.
- SHOULDN’T: If cost is an issue for you, then pick your priorities. Also, for shorter flights, this may not make that much of a difference.
- In-flight entertainment — ($5 to $7)
- SHOULD: Search out carriers with seat back TVs and free entertainment, such as JetBlue and Virgin America. If you don’t have an iPod or other means of entertainment, we say this is worth the $5-$7 for a movie to help pass time (true for kids and adults)
- SHOULDN’T: If you have your own MP3 player or some portable device to watch movies, we say pass this up. You can also bring a book, a deck of cards, or actually take this chance to spend time with your travel buddies-- it’s called conversation :)
Posted 533 days ago
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