How to avoid pesky airline fees
Air travel these days is unpleasant enough, but getting charged a surprise airline fee is sure to make passengers even grumpier.
Here are a few fees you may encounter and ways to avoid or limit them.
Airline baggage fees
Typical amount: $30 to $35 for the first checked bag and $40 to $45 for the second on major U.S. airlines
Southwest Airlines charges no fee for the first or second checked bag of standard weight. If you regularly fly with another airline, look at its credit card selection.
The Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard from American Airlines ($99 annual fee, waived the first year), Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express ($99, waived the first year) and United Explorer Visa ($95, waived the first year) allow the cardholder and at least one traveling companion to check the first bag free on their respective airlines.
Also watch out for fees for carry-on bags with discount carriers, such as Frontier and Spirit. Often, the fee is lower if you pay it when you book the flight rather than waiting until you get to the airport.
Airline ticket change and cancellation fees
Typical amount: About $50 to $200, depending on the fare class and how far ahead of departure you request the change
Southwest does not charge fees for changing or canceling a flight. And since the pandemic hit, the major U.S. airlines have dropped change fees for most fare classes, although you may pay a fee for same-day requests and some international flights.
With American, Delta and United, basic economy tickets — which come with the lowest airfares and few frills — are nonrefundable and non-changeable. But Delta and United allow you to cancel a basic economy ticket and get credit toward a future ticket, minus a cancellation fee of up to $200.
Notably, by federal law, airlines must allow passengers to cancel tickets for a full refund within 24 hours of booking without penalty, as long as it was reserved at least seven days in advance of the flight. And with some airlines, penalties may be less severe for early requests.
Spirit, for example, charges no fee for changes or cancellations made at least 60 days from a flight, though the fee rises as departure nears, topping out at $99 for requests made within six days of the flight.
Airline seat-selection fees
Typical amount: From about $5 to $40 — and sometimes substantially more for the most desirable seats
To start, you don’t have to choose a seat. Letting the airline do it for you ensures that you pay no fee.
If you book a basic economy ticket with American, Delta or United, you’ll pay a fee for seat selection. By buying a standard main cabin ticket, you may be able to choose among a limited selection of seats fee-free.
And if you have elite status with an airline, you’ll likely enjoy your pick among a wider selection of seats.
With Southwest, you choose your seat as you board. Check in up to 24 hours before your flight to improve your odds of getting near the front of the line. Or pay a $15 to $25 fee to check in early, helping to ensure you are among the first to board.