It is important to budget carefully for your travel, but it can be tough when so many hidden extra fees are imposed on travelers these days. Here are some important ones to avoid.
1. Extra Fees: Booking Your Flight
Reservations can cost if you try to book them on the phone. However, booking online can be costly if you make a mistake. If you have to make a change, they will often charge differently from the airfare itself. Look for a website or airline that offers a 24-hour flexible booking period. Trip insurance might seem like an extra fee you wish to avoid, but it can save a lot of money in the long run.
Be careful when using frequent-flyer programs because they sometimes impose extra fees on your free flights. There might be fuel charges, airport fees, and redemption charges when you cash in the miles.
Fuel surcharges are another tricky fee to avoid. They are often tacked onto your frequent flyer miles and two small children who don’t take up a seat. International flights will be the most expensive. Compare the costs carefully. The cheap fare you see may not be so cheap after all if the airline imposes fuel surcharges.
Vacation: How to Avoid Hidden Extra Fees
Checked baggage fees are another bone of contention. If you want to bring more than a carry-on bag, most airlines now charge you for it. Pack tightly and only small bottles of toiletries that satisfy the rules about how much can be brought onboard. You can always buy more once you arrive at your destination, or use the freebies hotels and motels usually provide.
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Overweight baggage fees are exorbitant. If you have to check a bag, avoid adding even more fees so you don’t over-pack. Weigh your luggage before you leave to avoid any surprises. Don’t go crazy with souvenirs on the way back either.
One often overlooked aspect of budgeting is accounting for Visa, exit, and tourist fees. It will be included in the airfare. Check online for visa application fees.
2. Extra Fees: Car Rental
Check to make sure the fee includes everything, with no added extras. Remember that your credit card will offer travel protection for collisions, so you might not need additional insurance.
Unexpected expenses such as key replacement, alternate drop-off locations, and fuel surcharges can significantly impact your final bill. Additionally, a fee may be imposed if the fuel tank is not full upon return, so we recommend filling it up at a lower cost before returning the vehicle.
3. Extra Fees: Accommodation
Room supplements for singles (or more than X number of people in a room) are common and can add up. Please be cautious of resort fees that may increase your nightly rate by up to 10%. Steer clear of the minibar, phone, and “free snacks and water” in the room, which turns out not to be.
Vacation: How to Avoid Hidden Extra Fees
Valet parking may incur extra costs, but it could potentially be more cost-effective than attempting to park in a nearby lot within a bustling city center.
Other fees to watch out for are luggage storage if you want to stow your bags before check-in or after check-out so you can see the sights, towel fees if there is a pool or beach, use of the hotel safe to store valuables, newspaper fees, and a charge for using the fitness center. Also, watch out for “energy fees” and ATM fees well above normal if you are tempted to use a machine in the hotel lobby.
4. Extra Fees: Cruises
Port fees and taxes are quite common. The more places the ship stops, the more fees there will be. They should be included in the price, but do check.
Service charges with drinks are also common, up to around 15%. Wi-Fi can also cost a good deal per day.
Be careful with shore excursions. Renting equipment for activities on the cruise is typically not included in the overall price, which can lead to additional expenses.
It is crucial to allocate funds thoughtfully for your travel expenses, however, it can be challenging due to the numerous undisclosed additional charges imposed on travelers in the current times.
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