Those Pesky Airline Fees and How to Avoid Them
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
8A WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 INTERNATIONAL EDITION MiamiHerald.com MIAMI HERALD TRAVEL ANDY RASH/THE NEW YORK TIMES Those pesky airline fees and how to avoid them BY JUSTIN SABLICH prevalent. Hobica said the fee the lowest base ticket prices charges an average of $200 years now at $25 (Spirit and additional services you’ll use The New York Times that makes most passengers of the eight airlines studied to change a domestic fl ight, Frontier charge more), but when you travel and pay at- What’s a blanket on a cold angry is the one for chang- by Hopper, with a median fare while Virgin America’s fee airlines pick up the slack with tention to what those add- airplane worth? ing fl ights, which costs an of $356, but charges the most is $125, which is the lowest their charges for overweight ons will cost if they’re not Not $12, at least not for one average of $200 on domes- for baggage ($50 for the fi rst of the airlines studied. The bags, which have crept up included in the base price,” passenger on a recent Hawai- tic fl ights. But that does not bag, $111 for the second) and fee varies among the budget over the years, Hobica said. Surry said. ian Airlines fl ight from Las mean the smaller fees aren’t for changing fl ights ($250). airlines as well, with Frontier Once again, Southwest is Most airline websites list Vegas to Hawaii. A 66-year- aggravating. Throw in a $35 carry-on fee charging $198 and Spirit $250. the no-fee winner, not charg- these fees, which vary by old man was charged $12 for A recent study by the fare- and, if you’re a traveler with “The higher the change fee ing for checked bags. You airline, fare and fl ight, so do the blanket, but not with any- casting app Hopper showed two checked bags who has on a nonrefundable airfare, won’t see much budging on your homework. thing else, despite causing the that airlines are increasingly changed your fl ight, you could the greater the incentive for this from other airlines (ex- American and Delta made fl ight to be diverted to Los “unbundling” their fl ights, of- be paying more than twice the some travelers to simply buy cept on international fl ights). most of their in-fl ight enter- Angeles. According to news fering lower base prices for cost of your base fare. a more expensive refundable “Another recent trend is tainment options free last reports, the passenger was travelers to get on the plane Hopper’s recently released airfare,” Hobica said. more carriers are starting to year, but many others, includ- deemed “unruly” by airport and making them pay à la Fair Bear feature aims to help If you’re prone to changing charge for carry-on luggage,” ing Southwest and Hawaiian, police after saying he “would carte for almost everything by breaking down the restric- plans, try to book with South- Surry said. Spirit and Frontier still charge for movies and like to take someone behind else, from seat assignments to tions or fees associated with west, which is the only major already charge for a carry-on. television. the woodshed for this” and baggage and in-fl ight supple- your fl ight, Surry said. domestic airline that does “The Big Three domestic Bringing your own tablet was removed from the fl ight. ments like food, entertain- But there’s more you can not charge for canceling or airlines are following a simi- with pre-downloaded con- “Diverting a fi ght is clearly ment and, apparently, blan- do to keep your fl ight costs changing your fl ight. Alaska lar model with their basic tent (don’t forget the earbuds, not our fi rst choice, but our kets. These secondary fees closer to what you thought Airlines will also let it slide if fares, where carry-on luggage for which many airlines also crew felt it was necessary now represent roughly 10 per- you were paying in the fi rst you do so within 60 days. may not be permitted un- charge) is now a no-brainer; to divert to Los Angeles and cent of total airline revenues, place. Here’s what you need Do not expect to see these less you’re willing to pay ex- you’ll avoid charges for what deplane the passenger before according to Hopper. to know about the most com- fees get cheaper or go away tra,” Hobica said, referring to you watch. Many airlines al- beginning to fl y over the Pa- The problem is that the mon and costly fees. anytime soon, unless air- United, Delta and American. low access to free entertain- cifi c Ocean,” the airline said fees vary greatly from airline lines take away the option of In general, learning to pack ment options via apps that in a statement. to airline and class to class, CHANGE FEES changing a fl ight altogether. well is your best chance to re- you download in advance. George Hobica, the found- which means comparing base The change fee is not only “I wouldn’t be surprised to duce baggage fees; weighing You will also avoid any poten- er of Airfarewatchdog.com, ticket prices has become al- the most costly but also the see change fees go to $250 or your luggage before leaving tial rental charges for tablets; said: “I think Hawaiian should most meaningless. most diffi cult to avoid. And for changes and cancellations home will help make sure domestic airlines charge be- have just given him the blan- “From the consumer’s per- don’t even think about can- to be eliminated entirely, as there are not any surprises at tween $8 and $15 depending ket for free. Doing that emer- spective, this results in in- celing. the airlines have done with check-in. on the length of fl ight. gency landing cost Hawaiian creased confusion and makes The Hopper study (which their ‘basic economy’ air- Other common-sense ap- thousands of dollars. This it frustratingly diffi cult to excludes data from South- fares,” Hobica said. IN-FLIGHT FEES proaches for saving money in- fee seems more silly than comparison shop or to under- west and Delta) found that And now we come full cir- clude eating at the airport or exorbitant.” stand the full cost of travel,” a nonrefundable, domestic BAGGAGE FEES cle to the $12 blanket. bringing a sandwich onboard. As most passengers can’t said Patrick Surry, Hopper’s reservation in the main cabin Standard baggage fees “The most important step And don’t forget to dress ap- help but notice, add-on fees chief data scientist. is usually changeable, for a for domestic fl ights have re- in reducing your total cost propriately; nobody wants to are becoming more and more For example, Spirit offers price. For example, United mained steady for several is to plan carefully for what pay $12 for a blanket. Miami is Home to World-Class Tennis Every Spring ennis is an international sport Miami-Dade/Broward/Palm Beach metro area The “Big Three” (LeBron, Dwayne Wade and played by every country on this surpassed six million residents for the first time Chris Bosh) shined the already hot spotlight Major League Soccer globe, so it’s apropos a city as in 2016. even brighter on Miami. The Heat’s run to four coming to Miami? diverse and welcoming as Miami consecutive NBA Finals led to more TV coverage Legendary soccer player and global icon David hosts a major tournament. The Of the 500,000 new residents who moved to the and more exposure. Miami’s breathtaking Beckham is planning to build a new, 25,000- Miami Open, which is in its 32nd Miami, Broward, Palm Beach metro area over skyline and beaches were shown nightly seat Miami stadium for a new Major League year at the picturesque Crandon Tennis Center the last five years, about 65 percent (335,000) during games. Those same shots aired in many Soccer expansion team. Multiple reports say on Key Biscayne, boosts every sector of Miami, came from other countries, according to U.S. international countries, including China, as the the team may begin playing in 2019. including real estate, as it attracts thousands of Census data. NBA is America’s most global game. fans from all over the world. Soccer, of course, is the world’s most popular The Heat sold out every game during LeBron’s sport. According to FIFA’s most recent Big Count The tournament, which is played over two Miami’s Growth run, but a more impressive feat happened survey, there are 265 million players actively weeks in late March, has introduced many fans Prompts a Change in outside of American Airlines Arena in Downtown involved in soccer around the world, roughly to Miami’s resort lifestyle and awe-inspiring Miami. The economic impact of the Miami about 4 percent of the world’s population. beauty while boosting the local economy. Tournament Name Heat and the area totaled $1.4 billion a year, Consider: the Miami Open has an annual The tournament had been called the Sony Open according to a Miami Downtown Development Soccer is a perfect fit for South Florida as the economic impact of nearly $390 million. It for years, but officially changed its name to the Authority study. region is an international melting pot with many draws more than 300,000 spectators and is Miami Open in August 2014. Officials made residents coming from countries where fùtbol responsible for more than 14,000 hotel rooms.