6 tips to avoid unnecessary fees when traveling

Looking at it comprehensively, traveling is not cheap. According to estimates by the US Travel Association in 2013, domestic and international tourists spent around $621.4 billion on their trips, not to mention unforeseen expenses.

However, according to Gabe Saglie, senior editor of the travel information website Travelzoo, there are unnecessary fees that you can completely avoid if you know how, provided that you are aware of these fees and willing to eliminate them from your budget. To help you plan appropriate expenses, here are 6 fees you should overlook to maximize savings for your trip.

Checked baggage fees

According to the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the 15 largest US airports collected over $3.35 billion in baggage fees in 2013. So unless you are flying with an airline that provides free checked baggage services (like JetBlue or Southwest), or you have a credit card from an affiliated airline that offers baggage fee waivers, you should try to only bring what you need in one carry-on bag throughout your journey.

Seat selection fees

Avoiding this fee is actually quite easy, although there may be instances where you don't get to sit in your preferred seat if not selected beforehand. Of course, paying an extra fee to choose a desired seat such as by the window or with more legroom may seem necessary, but you should also know that most airlines allow seat changes up to 24 hours before the flight departure. So, if you encounter seating issues, consider switching seats upon check-in. However, this scenario rarely occurs, especially since it's difficult to secure preferred seats when the flight departure time is approaching. Therefore, be content with your seat and you'll save a considerable fee.

Change booking fee

In reality, accepting booking changes is something not every airline desires, although when changes are made, passengers may incur additional fees. However, by carefully reading the guidelines, you can completely avoid this additional fee. You simply need to make changes to your reservation within 24 hours (provided that the ticket is purchased at least a week before the flight departure). If you're unsure whether you need to change your booking, consider purchasing a refundable ticket.

Wi-Fi service

Although in practice today, Wi-Fi is a service provided for free seemingly everywhere (According to HotelChatter.com's survey, about 64% of hotels worldwide currently offer free Wi-Fi service to guests), however, in some cases, you may have to pay a fee if using Wi-Fi at certain hotels. Some renowned hotels like Kimpton, Omni, and Fairmont... even only provide free internet access to loyal customers (with a signed list). The solution in this situation is that you can access the internet in the lobby instead of in the hotel room. In cases where the hotel does not offer free Wi-Fi anywhere, you can research accessing Wi-Fi at nearby cafes or restaurants that provide free Wi-Fi connections.

Resort fees

Perhaps the most frustrating surcharge for modern-day travelers is... resort fees! These are mandatory fees at some hotels, resorts in name to cover certain amenities such as fitness activities, beach chairs, and even room service fees. Many travelers struggle to avoid these fees, even attempting to forgo some amenities available at the hotel. The issue is that these fees are often non-negotiable.

The best way is to switch to online booking transactions on reputable booking websites (such as Mytour). These websites often have partnerships with hotels, resorts, thus ensuring a significant fee reduction for you.

Airport car rental fees

It's indeed convenient to have a car waiting for you at the airport as soon as you land to take you directly to your hotel. But this can be quite costly. To avoid this unnecessary fee, you should check out car rental locations away from the airport area, or even consider using public transportation instead of taxis or ride-sharing services.

In summary, incidental expenses are an unavoidable part of travel, however, analyzing expenses to make wise spending choices for your benefit can result in significant travel experiences.

According to Huffingtonpost.com

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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour