Caroline agrees. “Many airline credit cards cover some of these fees as a perk to cardholders, even those without status, including change/cancellation fees, inflight amenities and inflight Wi-Fi,” she explains. “The easiest way to avoid these fees is to be loyal to a particular airline and reap the benefits of elite status or a co-branded credit card with that airline, which inherently waives these fees depending on the frequent flyer program and status level.”
From packing to airport security, an air travel expert shares their best travel tips for making your next flight as easy as possible
How can I avoid airline penalty fees?
There is always the chance you’ll get hit by a last-minute penalty fee, for overweight/oversized or other oversights. But these can often be avoided if you plan accordingly. “While some fees are sadly just part of the booking process for many airlines, penalty fees – often incurred for cancellations or baggage that exceeds maximum weight restrictions – can be avoided,” says Adam. “One of the simplest ways to avoid having to pay penalty fees for luggage is to weigh your bags at home after packing them, to ensure that they meet the weight requirements set by the airline. Then, if you find that your bags are too heavy, you can re-pack to meet the weight restrictions or prepare yourself ahead of time for the fee that will be incurred.”
“Cancellation fees can be slightly more complicated to avoid, as customers often don’t know in advance that they need to make a cancellation,” Adam adds. Planning in extra time to arrive at the airport can help avoid any issues with arriving late for your flight, but there is always the chance of extenuating circumstances that can’t be catered for. “It can be a good idea to purchase a flight package that allows for free cancellations. These are usually set at a higher price point, but can save you a significant amount of money should you need to cancel your flight ticket for any reason.”
How can I avoid paying for airline seats?
“Seat selection is a bit of a hot topic these days,” says Katy Maclure, editor of The Detour, the newsletter from Jack’s Flight Club. “We know that if we want to be seated with our travelling companions on a low-cost flight, we have to pay for seats together. Most standard airlines also have a paid advance seat selection option now, but it’s usually still possible to select your seats for free at check-in, if you remember to do it then.”
“Many airlines will, unfortunately, charge extra to choose your seat on a flight,” Adam tells us. “These charges can typically range from £2 to £12 per seat each way – meaning that the simplest way to avoid paying for airline seats is to allow the airline to allocate you a seat, rather than choosing one yourself.”
“However, there are some tricks that customers can use to possibly enable them to sit with their friends or family without paying the fees for selected seats. Checking in as early as possible can increase your chances of being able to sit as a group” he adds. “Additionally, families travelling with children aged under 12 should be able to sit together for free with the following airlines: British Airways, TUI, Virgin Atlantic, Air France, KLM and Thomas Cook.”
What are the biggest money wasters when paying for flights?
“No fee is necessarily a waste if you need it, you just need to factor it all in when deciding the best overall deal to book,” Caroline explains. “If you need a bag, snack and seat assignment, that low-cost ticket on a budget airline is going to cost you at least three or four times that in the end. But if you factor that in, don’t mind where you sit and pack light, then book a great deal and enjoy your trip.”
