by Hope Lee

Created on: December 18, 2010   Last Updated: December 20, 2010

In recent years, airlines have "unbundled" their prices.  Instead of charging one flat rate for travel that includes many services, they are now charging separate fees for things that used to be included.  When looking for the best deal, it is important to consider all the possible fees that may be applied so that travelers can get a true apples-to-apples price comparison.

Phone booking fees:  Almost all airlines now charge a fee to use a phone agent to book a flight.  Since the web is easily accessible to most people today, this makes some sense.  However, getting charged that phone booking fee still stings. 

Typical fee: $15-30, sometimes per reservation, other times PER PERSON on the reservation

Tip:  If you are having trouble booking your desired itinerary online, your first call should be to that airline's "web services" department, NOT the general reservations number.  The general reservations number generally has to charge you the phone booking fee, while the web services department may be able to finish your itinerary and may not charge you a fee (if it's due to a verifiable problem with the website). 

Baggage fees:  In previous times, passengers could generally check one or two bags for free.  While this is still often true when traveling overseas, most domestic flights now require a fee to check a bag.  In addition, they have EXTRA fees if you want to check a bag that is oversized or overweight.  Jetblue and Southwest are the two main exceptions when it comes to baggage fees, at least for checking a regular bag. 

Typical fee: $20-25 for the first bag, $25-35 for the second bag.  Fees are per direction, so double them for a round trip. 

Tip: Whenever possible, take advantage of the airline's free carry-on allowance.  However, if checking bags is absolutely necessary, it is more economical to check one heavier bag (as long as it doesn't go over the typical weight limit of 50 lbs.) than it is to check two smaller bags.  

Change fees:  In exchange for lower fares, most customers purchase tickets that come with restrictions on when and how the ticket may be used.  While there are fully flexible tickets that allow unlimited changes for free, most of the time, these tickets are also much more expensive than discount tickets.  Most restricted, discount tickets will allow changes to the time, day, or even destination of travel for a fee. 

Typical

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