When you travel by airplane, the airlines do their best to squeeze every penny out of your wallet. Of course, it’s super frustrating, but being aware of this can prevent you from being stung. So, here are a few strategies airlines use to extract more cash from us.
Basic Economy Restrictions
Another nasty profiteering tactic of airlines is to apply strict limitations to economy-class flyers. Passengers may be denied access to overhead bins, restricted to specific boarding groups, and even prevented from choosing their seats. These constraints push many to opt for higher-priced tickets, which is exactly what they want.
In-Flight Meals and Snacks
Back in the day, complimentary in-flight meals and snacks were the norm, but now, they’re rare. Many airlines now charge for food and beverages, even on long-haul flights. This move turns meal service into a revenue source, forcing passengers to pay for much-needed food during their journey.
Frequent Flier Programs
While there’s no denying that ‘frequent flier’ programs can be rewarding, they also drive spending for the airline. Earning and redeeming miles often require additional purchases or fees, causing program members to pay for upgrades, checked bags, or even just to maintain their status.
Baggage Fees
One of the most famous money-making tactics of airlines is to charge travelers all sorts of baggage fees. These include charges for checked luggage, carry-ons, and, as Skyscanner reports, even overweight bags. This tactic encourages travelers to pack light, but many still end up paying extra to bring their essentials.
Seat Selection Charges
These days, it’s not easy to choose your preferred seat on an airplane unless you’re willing to pay. Airlines now charge for selecting seats with extra legroom and even standard aisle or window seats carry fees. Shockingly, they’ll intentionally put you in the middle seat to entice you to pay.
Dynamic Pricing
Due to the rise of data-driven platforms, airplane ticket prices can now fluctuate based on demand, season, and even the day of the week. This dynamic pricing strategy means travelers might pay more during peak times or for popular routes, so monitor prices carefully to find the best deal.
Unbundling Services
Unlike most companies that provide handle bundles, airlines are profiting from unbundle services, offering lower base fares while charging for extras. Items like seat selection, baggage, and meals become separate expenses, an evil practice that leads to higher overall costs as travelers add necessary services to their tickets.
Change and Cancellation Fees
These days, modifying or canceling a flight will usually incur substantial fees. These penalties can add up, particularly for non-refundable tickets. Ultimately, flexibility comes at a price, with airlines even capitalizing on changes to travel plans that weren’t the traveler’s fault in the first place.
In-Flight Entertainment
Even on long-haul flights, accessing in-flight entertainment may require a fee nowadays, especially on budget airlines. Movies, TV shows, and Wi-Fi are often sold separately, turning basic entertainment into a profit center that compels passengers to pay for digital distractions during their flight.
Travel Insurance
It’s common to see airlines offering travel insurance during the booking process, but you should give these a wide berth. While travel insurance is important, buying it through the airline is incredibly overpriced. Just purchase it through a regular insurance provider, and you’ll get much more value for money.
Early Boarding Fees
Gone are the days when you could board a flight with priority if you arrived early. Now, you must pay for early boarding privileges to secure overhead bin space or settle in sooner. Outrageously, they even charge seniors for this privilege, who often need priority boarding to avoid pushy crowds.
Airport Lounges
There’s no denying that airport lounges make for a more comfortable airport experience, but they’re often restricted to premium ticket holders or those willing to pay a fee. However, as lounges provide essential amenities like food, comfortable seating, and charge points, many people fall into the trap of paying.
Credit Card Partnerships
Many people see value in signing up for airline-branded credit cards, which come with perks. However, they also promote spending, just like ‘frequent flier’ memberships. Cardholders might receive benefits like free checked bags or priority boarding, but the annual fees and interest rates rarely make these perks worthwhile.
Loyalty Program Buy-Ins
Not only do you have to pay to join airline loyalty clubs, but they now also offer options to buy miles or status upgrades. While this can accelerate rewards, it often comes at a high price, pushing luxury travelers to invest even more money to enhance their flying experience.
Fuel Surcharges
Just like with gasoline and diesel, airplane fuel is constantly fluctuating in price, but shockingly, airlines charge their customers for this. These charges can significantly increase the total fare, and to make matters worse, many airlines still charge high surcharges even when fuel costs are dipping.
Booking Services
While it may seem convenient to make use of airline booking services, the rental cars, hotels, or vacation packages that they partner with are usually inflated in price. Unfortunately, many people fall for the upsells as they want the convenience, but if they looked elsewhere, they’d recognize the scam.
Group Booking Fees
It doesn’t seem fair that booking multiple tickets together should be more expensive; in fact, you’d think it would be cheaper. In reality, airlines charge for the convenience of booking as a group, adding to the overall cost. This tactic targets families or groups traveling together, leading to higher expenses.
Special Assistance Charges
One of the most unfair money-making tactics airlines use is charging for special assistance, such as wheelchair services or escorting the elderly. While some airlines still provide such assistance for free, budget airlines rarely do nowadays, which most people can agree is utterly shameful.
Currency Conversion Fees
Due to the fact that you’re traveling abroad, airlines exploit foreign exchange fees when you pay for flights in a non-local currency. This would be understandable if they were regular forex fees, but they use less favorable exchange rates intentionally, squeezing even more money from our bank accounts.
Pet Travel Fees
If you plan on bringing a pet on board a flight, get ready to be hit with a crazy bill. Airlines charge for both in-cabin and cargo transport of pets, and the fees are enormous, making pet travel an expensive undertaking. In our books, pets should fly for free.