In a previous article, the latest surcharges to hit the majority of US airlines are for domestic flights during busy holidays travel dates. These are typically $20 each way.
British Airways has implemented a seat reservation fee, but most airlines outside of the US do not have a holiday surcharge.
How do consumers avoid the baggage fees and new holiday surcharges if they are traveling this Thanksgiving or over the Christmas holidays? It takes a little extra effort but it may end up saving you enough money to buy an extra turkey...or two.
Traveling on JetBlue or Southwest, known as the 'budget airlines', will relieve you of the holiday surcharge the other US airlines are tacking on to your ticket price. Consumers will get from point A to point B for less money and it's certain they won't notice any difference flying JetBlue or Southwest other than the money you will save.
Pack light. It's just a few days, so try to pack a carry-on bag instead of checking luggage. You will avoid long lines and baggage surcharges that are being added to almost every airline for checked bags.
Travel expert Peter Greenberg has a few more handy holiday travel tips:
*To get around the checked bag fee, Peter suggests you send your bags 3-DAY Fed Ex ahead of time if possible it will be the same amount of money and you don't have to wait in line for your luggage.
*For the Christmas holidays, ship your gifts instead of bringing them with you in your luggage. This avoids extra baggage costs or a surcharge for heavy bag and the TSA won't go have to rip through your wrapped presents.
*To get around unaccompanied minor fees, it's hard because they charge anyway but they charge extra for connecting flights, so the best option is to book early for your child and it must be a direct flight. This will save the most money.
*For Thanksgiving travel: Reserve your flight for Thursday morning and fly out by 6AM spend Thanksgiving night with your family. Make it a quick visit and leave by 4 p.m. on Friday.
*Everyone travels from Wednesday to Sunday. If you travel for just two days you will avoid the crowds at airports and you'll have the weekend to enjoy at home! On average, a weekend flight from San Francisco to New York is $800 but if you fly out Thanksgiving morning and fly home on Friday by 4pm it will be only $280.
If you're flying out this Thanksgiving or over the Christmas holiday, plan ahead, pack light and fly at times that everyone else doesn't want to. You'll enjoy your holiday a bit more knowing you aren't flying home to a massive credit card bill for holiday travel.
Cheryl Phillips
HULIQ.com
Posted November 6th, 2009 by Cheryl Phillips
