Unfortunately, the travel industry is full of hidden fees and one of the most notorious culprits is airlines. From flight change fees to seat fees to baggage fees and more, there are a variety of costs you may not know exist until you’re stuck paying them. Here, our EWR Airport parking company share some of the most popular to watch for:
Stay within baggage limits
Each airline has a specific set of rules for how large and how heavy your checked or carry-on bag can be and if you’re over either of these, you could face hefty fees. Most airlines allow a checked bag to be a combined 62 inches and a maximum of 50-70 pounds. Any larger or heavier and you’ll see an oversized or overweight baggage fee (up to $200 per bag). When it comes to carry-ons, a combined 45 inches is usual – any larger and you’ll have to check it.
Be mindful of carry-on charges
Most airlines charge you to check a bag but allow you one carry-on bag free of charge. This is all changing, however, with the growth of low-cost carriers and the introduction of “basic economy” tickets. Both of these things now offer added restrictions – some may not allow you to travel with a carry-on (meaning you’ll have to pay to check it) and others will allow it, but will charge you for it. Make sure you know the airline’s luggage policy before booking.
Don’t let your child fly alone
While policies can vary, if you have a child between the ages of 5 and 11 and they don’t have someone 12-14 or older to accompany them, you’ll likely have to pay an “unaccompanied minor” fee (anywhere from $50-$100) on top of your child’s airfare.
Reserve your flight online
Back in the day, travelers used to call up an airline and have someone in customer service help them book a flight. While you can still do that, you may see an extra charge of $15-$30 for someone’s assistance. Yes, this seems silly, but just to be safe, stick to booking your flight through the airline’s website.
Be sure of when you’re traveling
If you have the luxury of booking a refundable or changeable plane ticket, our EWR Airport parking company advises you do so – this way you won’t have to worry about fees if your travel plans change. However, if you’re booking a regular ticket, be sure of when you’re going to travel, because if you have to cancel or change your flight, it could cost you up to half of what you paid for the ticket in the first place.
Don’t forget about your seat
Just like carry-ons, some low-cost airlines will charge travelers for their seats. Yes, you may have to pay an extra $3-$15 just to pick the seat you want for your flight.
To avoid another travel fee, don’t forget to make your EWR Airport parking reservation with Vista!