Airlines are made to give us the most comfortable experience whenever we fly to our next destination or return to a previous one. But what if the airline you are trying to book a flight with charges you with a lot of fees? Well, we found out that 5 five major U.S. airlines collected a whopping $14.3 billion of cash in fees alone. All thanks to AirFareWatchDog.com we now know which top 5 airlines are charging us more than what we intend to pay for.
"I think some airline fees are more egregious and less understandable than others. For example, the airlines recently increased their ticket change fee from $150 to $200," Founder and President of AirFareWatchDog.com George Hobica says.
5. US Airways
That's right! US Airways is one of these culprits that has been overcharging us this year. If you take a look closely on how much this airline charges, you'll be surprised according to AirFareWatchDog.com. For one thing, its ticket change fee starts at $200 and can even go as high as $450 for international flights. Plus, US Airways charge you more for any oversized bag or if you are to send a minor child to a destination alone.
Here's a quick rundown of the different fees of US Airways
Ticket Change Fee: $200 to $450
Same-Day Change Fee: $75 to $150
Non-Internet Reservation: $25
Unaccompanied Minor: $100
Pet Traveling in Cabin: $125
First Checked Bag: $25
Second Checked Bag: $35
Oversize Bag: $175
4. United Airlines
Oops! Looks like another one of your trusted airlines has landed on this list and it is none other than United Airlines. This airline has got the "most expensive unaccompanied minor fee at $150." Additionally, United Airlines will charge you an additional $250 when you decided to allow your point to join you in the cabin.
Take a look at the fees United Airlines charge you with
Ticket Change Fee: $200
Same-Day Change Fee: $75
Non-Internet Reservation: $25
Unaccompanied Minor: $150
Pet Traveling in Cabin: $125 to $250
First Checked Bag: $25
Second Checked Bag: $35
Oversize Bag: $100
3. American Airlines
Now here is an airline that deserves a spot on this list. If you have booked a flight under American Airlines, then you definitely know what we are referring to here. American Airlines actually charge its passengers $20 if they decided to book a ticket by phone. Conversely, if you make a reservation in person, it would cost you $35. Like WTH? And get this, if you decide to bring in your pet into your cabin you need to pay $175. Hobica even noted American Airlines unique charges saying, "Another fee that never existed before fairly recently and keeps on going up is making a reservation on the phone or at a ticket agent."
Ticket Change Fee: $200
Same-Day Change Fee: $75
Non-Internet Reservation: $25 to $35
Unaccompanied Minor: $100
Pet Traveling in Cabin: $125 to $175
First Checked Bag: $25
Second Checked Bag: $35
Oversize Bag: $175 to $300
2. Delta
Got some oversized bags you intend to bring in your next flight? Then, Delta might not be the best pick out there. This airline will charge you as much as $300 for your oversize bags and you are even required to pay $90 for a suitcase over 50 pounds. Actually 50 pounds is just the limit, so once your suitcase exceeds this mark you need to pay $175 for bags 71 to 100 pounds. And for additional bags, let's say you have a third and a fourth, you will be paying $125 and $200, respectively. However, Hobica suggests a good solution for this one. "You're going to save money by sending [your luggage] FedEx Ground four or five days ahead of your arrival to your hotel or your grandmother's house. It's going to cost less than paying the airline's baggage fee," he says.
Here is an overview of Delta fees
Ticket Change Fee: $200 to $450
Same-Day Change Fee: $50
Non-Internet Reservation: $25 to $35
Unaccompanied Minor: $100
Pet Traveling in Cabin: $125
First Checked Bag: $25
Second Checked Bag: $35
Oversize Bag: $175 to $300
1. Spirit Airlines
And we are down to the last one. Hobica singled out that although Spirit Airlines is the lesser known airline amongst the 5, it is growing quite fast all because if their pesky fees. "They probably have the most and worst fees of any airline. They actually charge not just for checked bags but carry-on bags unless it fits in the seat in front of you." Although AirFareWatchDog.com did not give a specific list of the said airline's fees, it has given passengers a caveat saying that they should print their own boarding pass at home since this airline will even charge you $10 if you don't have one.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
