Long-distance travel in the United States ticks up 54 percent over the Thanksgiving weekend and 23 percent during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. No matter how you cut it, that’s a lot of people moving in, out of and around the country — countless hours in the car and oodles of flights and hotel stays. And unfortunately, all of that travel costs money — a lot of money.
But there are plenty of ways to save on holiday travel if you’re willing to look. For example, online websites like Expedia.com and Flights.com can help you find cheap airfare. Meanwhile, lodging alternatives like VRBO.com offer affordable options for families who need a place to stay, but would rather avoid pricey hotels. Beyond those savings strategies, families can also save a ton by avoiding the surprising fees that many travel firms try to tack on when no one’s looking.
Here are six travel fees that you should avoid whenever possible:
Checked bag fees. Flying somewhere? You might want to look into checked bag fees before you pack. Fees for the first checked bag range from free for some airlines all the way up to $75 for others. Even worse, second checked bags can cost up to $100. When you’re pricing out airfare, make sure to factor in the cost of checking your bags. Also consider packing light and opting for only a carry-on instead. That way, you can avoid these fees entirely.
Wi-Fi fees. With Wi-Fi and the Internet accessible from nearly anywhere on the globe, it’s easy to assume that Wi-Fi will be free in your hotel or resort. Not so fast. Although wireless Internet is offered for free in most hotel lobbies, the same cannot be said about in-room service. Make sure to check with your hotel to find out what the charges are ahead of time, or else be surprised.
Resort fees. Resort fees remain somewhat of a mystery to even the most seasoned travelers. Why? Because these sneaky fees are tacked on by many hotels and resorts without explanation, and often cannot be prepaid. Fortunately, you can find out about resort fees easily by simply reading the fine print when you register for any hotel or resort stay. And if you’re in doubt, asking the hotel or resort directly should do the trick.
Phone booking fees. If you’re stressed out about booking airfare online, it might make sense to call your airline of choice and book directly. But, hold up. Did you know that many airlines charge $25 to $35 for the privilege? It’s true. To avoid this silly and surprising situation, check with your airline before booking on the phone to make sure there is no charge for doing so. Also try to get comfortable with booking online; it’s no longer hard to do, and you can often score extra savings in the process.
Foreign transaction fees. It’s true that Visa and MasterCard are accepted all over the globe, but did you know that you can get charged for using them? The fact is, many credit cards charge 3 to 5 percent for transactions made overseas, and those charges can really add up quick. To bypass these charges, make sure to keep at least one card with no foreign transaction fees in your wallet. Use it on all overseas trips, and avoid those extra fees altogether.
Rental car insurance. Rental car companies are notorious for trying to stick customers with rental coverage that is often pricey and entirely unnecessary. The fact is, your personal auto insurance may provide additional coverage for you, even if you are driving a rental car. Many credit cards also offer rental car coverage as a perk to cardholders, and if you pay for your rental car with one of these cards, you can secure that coverage for free. Check with your auto insurance provider and credit card issuer to see if any of these options are available to you before booking your car.
It’s true that travel isn’t cheap, but the costs can be drastically reduced if you actively try to save money and do your best to avoid unnecessary charges. Fortunately, most fees can be avoided if you are simply aware of them to begin with.
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6 Sneaky Fees to Avoid When Traveling originally appeared on usnews.com
