Travel recommendation and advise from my 20+ years traveling around the world.
Yes, travel fees are pervasive and have wormed their way into every facet of travel, including flights, hotels, and rental cars. The good news is that many can be avoided. When it comes to flying, look for airlines that don’t charge fees for common services like baggage: For example, Southwest allows two checked bags for free and JetBlue one; some airlines will waive bag fees for frequent flyers or members of its credit-card program (such as Delta’s AmEx card). Ultimately, it pays to know what the fees are before booking so you can make an informed decision. SmarterTravel’s downloadable chart is a good place to start.
Many hotel fees can be avoided if you simply say no to the services. In other words, don’t touch the minibar or make in-room calls (buy your own snacks and use your cell phone instead). Other charges, such as resort fees, are trickier. It’s best to find out about the charge in advance and book with another hotel, or ask the hotel manager to remove it—he or she might say no, but it never hurts to ask. When renting a car, read the fine print. Look for easily avoidable fees like early-return and fuel charges. Also, most agents will pressure you into buying a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), but you might already have collision coverage through your credit card. Always check with your credit-card company in advance.
