YOU’VE BOOKED YOUR FLIGHTS, RESERVED YOUR HOTEL, AND MAPPED OUT YOUR ITINERARY. YOUR VACATION BUDGET LOOKS SOLID UNTIL THOSE SNEAKY HIDDEN FEES START PILING UP. SOUND FAMILIAR? YOU’RE NOT ALONE. MANY TRAVELERS GET BLINDSIDED BY UNEXPECTED COSTS THAT CAN ADD HUNDREDS (OR EVEN THOUSANDS) OF DOLLARS TO THEIR TRIP.
THE GOOD NEWS? MOST OF THESE FEES ARE AVOIDABLE ONCE YOU KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR. LET’S DIVE INTO THE MOST COMMON HIDDEN TRAVEL FEES AND HOW TO DODGE THEM LIKE A PRO.
AIRLINE FEES THAT CAN GROUND YOUR BUDGET
AIRLINES HAVE MASTERED THE ART OF THE HIDDEN FEE. WHAT STARTS AS AN ATTRACTIVE BASE FARE CAN QUICKLY BALLOON INTO SOMETHING MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE.
BAGGAGE FEES
CHECKED BAG FEES ARE PRACTICALLY STANDARD NOW, RANGING FROM $30 TO $50 FOR YOUR FIRST BAG ON DOMESTIC FLIGHTS. BUT THE REAL STICKER SHOCK COMES WITH OVERWEIGHT OR OVERSIZED LUGGAGE—THESE PENALTIES CAN COST $100 OR MORE PER BAG.
THE WEIGHT LIMITS ARE STRICTLY ENFORCED, SO INVEST IN A LUGGAGE SCALE AND WEIGH YOUR BAGS AT HOME. PACK HEAVIER ITEMS IN YOUR CARRY-ON WHEN POSSIBLE, OR CONSIDER SHIPPING SOME ITEMS TO YOUR DESTINATION IF YOU’RE STAYING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD.
SEAT SELECTION FEES
WANT TO SIT WITH YOUR TRAVEL COMPANION? THAT’LL BE EXTRA. PREFER THE AISLE OVER THE MIDDLE SEAT? ALSO EXTRA. SEAT SELECTION FEES TYPICALLY RANGE FROM $15 TO $50 PER PERSON, PER FLIGHT, BUT CAN REACH $100+ FOR PREMIUM LOCATIONS.
BUDGET AIRLINES ARE PARTICULARLY AGGRESSIVE WITH THESE FEES. SPIRIT AND FRONTIER ARE NOTORIOUS FOR CHARGING FOR NEARLY EVERY SEAT SELECTION, WHILE SOME INTERNATIONAL CARRIERS LIKE RYANAIR HAVE TURNED FEE COLLECTION INTO AN ART FORM.
CHANGE AND CANCELLATION FEES
LIFE HAPPENS, AND SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO MODIFY YOUR TRAVEL PLANS. MOST AIRLINES CHARGE $200 OR MORE TO CHANGE A DOMESTIC FLIGHT, PLUS ANY FARE DIFFERENCE. CANCELLATION FEES CAN BE EVEN STEEPER.
CONSIDER BOOKING DIRECTLY WITH THE AIRLINE RATHER THAN THROUGH THIRD-PARTY SITES—YOU’LL OFTEN HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY IF CHANGES ARE NEEDED. SOME CREDIT CARDS ALSO OFFER TRIP INTERRUPTION COVERAGE THAT CAN HELP OFFSET THESE COSTS.
BOOKING FEES
SOME AIRLINES CHARGE EXTRA IF YOU BOOK OVER THE PHONE INSTEAD OF ONLINE. THESE FEES TYPICALLY RANGE FROM $25 TO $50, BUT THEY’RE EASILY AVOIDED BY BOOKING DIRECTLY THROUGH THE AIRLINE’S WEBSITE.
IN-FLIGHT COSTS
GONE ARE THE DAYS OF FREE MEALS AND ENTERTAINMENT ON MOST FLIGHTS. BUDGET AIRLINES CHARGE FOR EVERYTHING FROM SODAS TO SNACKS TO BLANKETS. EVEN MAJOR CARRIERS NOW CHARGE FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND PREMIUM FOOD OPTIONS ON DOMESTIC FLIGHTS.
PACK YOUR OWN SNACKS AND BRING AN EMPTY WATER BOTTLE TO FILL AFTER SECURITY. DOWNLOAD ENTERTAINMENT TO YOUR DEVICE BEFOREHAND TO AVOID PAYING FOR IN-FLIGHT WIFI.
ACCOMMODATION FEES THAT ADD UP FAST
HOTELS AND VACATION RENTALS HAVE THEIR OWN SET OF SNEAKY CHARGES THAT CAN SIGNIFICANTLY INFLATE YOUR LODGING COSTS.
RESORT FEES
PERHAPS THE MOST FRUSTRATING HIDDEN FEE OF ALL, RESORT FEES CAN ADD $25 TO $50 PER NIGHT TO YOUR HOTEL BILL. THESE MANDATORY CHARGES SUPPOSEDLY COVER AMENITIES LIKE POOL ACCESS, WIFI, AND FITNESS CENTER USE SERVICES YOU MIGHT EXPECT TO BE INCLUDED IN YOUR ROOM RATE.
RESORT FEES ARE PARTICULARLY COMMON IN TOURIST DESTINATIONS LIKE LAS VEGAS, MIAMI, AND HAWAII. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT SOME HOTEL LOYALTY PROGRAMS WAIVE THESE FEES FOR MEMBERS, AND THERE’S GROWING PRESSURE FROM REGULATORS TO MAKE PRICING MORE TRANSPARENT.
CLEANING FEES
VACATION RENTAL PLATFORMS LIKE AIRBNB HAVE MADE CLEANING FEES INFAMOUS. WHAT APPEARS TO BE A REASONABLE NIGHTLY RATE CAN SUDDENLY JUMP BY $100 OR MORE ONCE CLEANING FEES ARE ADDED.
ALWAYS CHECK THE TOTAL COST INCLUDING ALL FEES BEFORE BOOKING. SOMETIMES A SLIGHTLY MORE EXPENSIVE PROPERTY WITH LOWER FEES WORKS OUT TO BE THE BETTER DEAL OVERALL.
TOURIST TAXES
MANY CITIES AROUND THE WORLD CHARGE A TOURIST TAX OR CITY TAX THAT’S ADDED TO YOUR HOTEL BILL. THESE FEES TYPICALLY RANGE FROM $1 TO $15 PER PERSON, PER NIGHT, AND ARE COLLECTED DIRECTLY BY THE ACCOMMODATION.
RESEARCH YOUR DESTINATION BEFOREHAND TO UNDERSTAND WHAT TAXES YOU’LL FACE. SOME CITIES, LIKE AMSTERDAM, HAVE PARTICULARLY HIGH TOURIST TAXES THAT CAN ADD SIGNIFICANTLY TO YOUR COSTS.
TRANSPORTATION FEES THAT KEEP ROLLING
GETTING AROUND DURING YOUR TRIP OFTEN COMES WITH ITS OWN SET OF HIDDEN COSTS.
AIRPORT PARKING
IF YOU’RE DRIVING TO THE AIRPORT, PARKING FEES CAN EASILY ADD $100 OR MORE TO YOUR TRIP COST. DAILY RATES AT MAJOR AIRPORTS OFTEN RANGE FROM $10 TO $35, AND THAT’S FOR THE ECONOMY.
LOOK FOR OFF-SITE PARKING OPTIONS THAT OFFER SHUTTLE SERVICE TO THE TERMINAL, THEY’RE OFTEN SIGNIFICANTLY CHEAPER THAN AIRPORT PARKING. GROUPON FREQUENTLY HAS DEALS ON AIRPORT PARKING THAT CAN SAVE YOU 20-50%.
RENTAL CAR FEES
THE RENTAL CAR INDUSTRY IS PARTICULARLY NOTORIOUS FOR ADD-ON FEES. INSURANCE, GPS NAVIGATION, ADDITIONAL DRIVERS, ONE-WAY DROP-OFF FEES, AND FUEL CHARGES CAN EASILY DOUBLE YOUR BASE RENTAL RATE.
DECLINE UNNECESSARY ADD-ONS LIKE GPS (USE YOUR PHONE) AND CHECK WHETHER YOUR AUTO INSURANCE OR CREDIT CARD ALREADY COVERS RENTAL CAR INSURANCE. ALWAYS RETURN THE CAR WITH A FULL TANK TO AVOID INFLATED FUEL CHARGES.
TOLLS AND ROAD FEES
IF YOU’RE DRIVING IN A NEW AREA, FACTOR IN TOLL ROADS AND CONGESTION CHARGES. SOME CITIES LIKE LONDON CHARGE SIGNIFICANT FEES JUST TO DRIVE IN CERTAIN AREAS, WHILE TOLL ROADS CAN ADD $20 OR MORE TO LONGER TRIPS.
RESEARCH YOUR ROUTE BEFOREHAND AND BUDGET FOR THESE COSTS. SOME RENTAL CAR COMPANIES OFFER ELECTRONIC TOLL PAYMENT SYSTEMS, BUT THEY OFTEN COME WITH DAILY FEES ON TOP OF THE ACTUAL TOLL COSTS.
DOCUMENTATION AND SERVICE FEES
BEFORE YOU EVEN LEAVE HOME, VARIOUS DOCUMENTATION AND SERVICE FEES CAN START EATING INTO YOUR BUDGET.
PASSPORT AND VISA FEES
A NEW U.S. PASSPORT COSTS $165, PLUS $60 IF YOU NEED EXPEDITED PROCESSING. VISA FEES VARY WIDELY BY COUNTRY BUT CAN RANGE FROM $10 TO OVER $100 PER PERSON.
APPLY FOR PASSPORTS AND VISAS WELL IN ADVANCE TO AVOID EXPEDITING FEES. SOME COUNTRIES OFFER ELECTRONIC VISAS THAT ARE CHEAPER THAN TRADITIONAL PAPER VISAS.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
WHILE NOT EXACTLY “HIDDEN,” TRAVEL INSURANCE IS AN OFTEN-OVERLOOKED COST THAT CAN ADD 4-8% TO YOUR TOTAL TRIP COST. HOWEVER, IT’S ONE FEE THAT’S USUALLY WORTH PAYING, ESPECIALLY FOR EXPENSIVE TRIPS OR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL.
SHOP AROUND FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE RATHER THAN ACCEPTING THE FIRST QUOTE FROM YOUR AIRLINE OR TRAVEL AGENT. INDEPENDENT INSURANCE COMPANIES OFTEN OFFER BETTER COVERAGE AT LOWER PRICES.
CURRENCY EXCHANGE FEES
CREDIT CARDS TYPICALLY CHARGE 2.5-3% FOR FOREIGN TRANSACTIONS, WHILE ATM WITHDRAWALS ABROAD OFTEN COME WITH BOTH YOUR BANK’S FEE ($3-5) PLUS THE FOREIGN BANK’S FEE.
CONSIDER GETTING A TRAVEL CREDIT CARD WITH NO FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEES. FOR CASH, WITHDRAW LARGER AMOUNTS LESS FREQUENTLY TO MINIMIZE ATM FEES, AND AVOID CURRENCY EXCHANGE COUNTERS AT AIRPORTS, WHICH TYPICALLY OFFER THE WORST RATES.
INTERNATIONAL ROAMING CHARGES
USING YOUR REGULAR CELL PHONE PLAN ABROAD CAN RESULT IN SHOCKING BILLS—SOMETIMES HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR JUST A FEW DAYS OF USE.
MOST CARRIERS NOW OFFER INTERNATIONAL PLANS FOR $10-12 PER DAY, BUT THESE CAN STILL ADD UP QUICKLY. CONSIDER BUYING A LOCAL SIM CARD OR USING AN INTERNATIONAL ESIM SERVICE FOR LONGER TRIPS.
MISCELLANEOUS FEES THAT CATCH YOU OFF GUARD
DEPARTURE TAXES
SOME COUNTRIES CHARGE DEPARTURE TAXES WHEN YOU LEAVE, RANGING FROM $10 TO $50 PER PERSON. WHILE MANY ARE NOW INCLUDED IN AIRLINE TICKETS, SOME STILL MUST BE PAID SEPARATELY AT THE AIRPORT, SOMETIMES ONLY IN LOCAL CURRENCY CASH.
ACTIVITY AND EXCURSION FEES
THAT “FREE” WALKING TOUR STILL EXPECTS A TIP OF $10-20 PER PERSON. POPULAR ATTRACTIONS OFTEN CHARGE EXTRA FOR AUDIO GUIDES, SKIP-THE-LINE ACCESS, OR SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS BEYOND THE BASIC ADMISSION FEE.
ATM FEES
USING ATMS ABROAD TYPICALLY COSTS $3-5 FROM YOUR BANK, PLUS WHATEVER THE FOREIGN BANK CHARGES. PRIVATE ATMS IN TOURIST AREAS CAN CHARGE EVEN MORE.
USE BANK-AFFILIATED ATMS WHEN POSSIBLE, AND WITHDRAW LARGER AMOUNTS LESS FREQUENTLY TO MINIMIZE PER-TRANSACTION FEES.
SMART STRATEGIES TO AVOID HIDDEN FEES
RESEARCH AND COMPARE
BEFORE BOOKING ANYTHING, READ THE FINE PRINT AND COMPARE TOTAL COSTS INCLUDING ALL FEES. WHAT LOOKS LIKE A GREAT DEAL INITIALLY MIGHT NOT BE ONCE ALL CHARGES ARE ADDED.
READ THE FINE PRINT
IT’S TEDIOUS, BUT THOSE TERMS AND CONDITIONS CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT FEES AND POLICIES. PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO CANCELLATION POLICIES AND WHAT’S INCLUDED IN QUOTED PRICES.
PACK SMART
EFFICIENT PACKING CAN HELP YOU AVOID BAGGAGE FEES AND REDUCE THE NEED TO BUY ITEMS AT INFLATED TRAVEL PRICES. A WELL-PACKED CARRY-ON CAN ELIMINATE CHECKED BAG FEES ENTIRELY ON SHORTER TRIPS.
USE TRAVEL REWARDS
TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS CAN HELP OFFSET FEES WITH BENEFITS LIKE FREE CHECKED BAGS, NO FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEES, AND TRAVEL CREDITS. JUST MAKE SURE TO PAY OFF THE BALANCE TO AVOID INTEREST CHARGES.
BOOK DIRECTLY
AIRLINES AND HOTELS OFTEN WAIVE CERTAIN FEES FOR DIRECT BOOKINGS AND MAY OFFER MORE FLEXIBILITY FOR CHANGES. YOU’LL ALSO AVOID THIRD-PARTY BOOKING FEES.
CONSIDER ALTERNATIVES
SOMETIMES A SLIGHTLY MORE EXPENSIVE OPTION WITH FEWER FEES WORKS OUT CHEAPER OVERALL. COMPARE THE TOTAL COST, NOT JUST THE ADVERTISED PRICE.
CHECK FOR DISCOUNTS
MANY ATTRACTIONS, HOTELS, AND SERVICES OFFER DISCOUNTS FOR STUDENTS, SENIORS, MILITARY PERSONNEL, OR AAA MEMBERS. IT NEVER HURTS TO ASK.
MASTER YOUR LUXURY TRAVEL BUDGET NO SURPRISES
UNEXPECTED TRAVEL COSTS CAN QUICKLY TURN A DREAM TRIP INTO A BUDGETING NIGHTMARE BUT THEY DON’T HAVE TO. WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING AND EXPERT INSIGHT, YOU CAN IDENTIFY AND AVOID HIDDEN FEES BEFORE THEY IMPACT YOUR JOURNEY.
AT BENARRIVATI, WE BELIEVE TRUE LUXURY INCLUDES TRANSPARENCY. FROM AIRLINE SURCHARGES TO RESORT FEES AND TRANSPORTATION EXTRAS, UNDERSTANDING WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT IS. BY BUILDING A CLEAR, ALL-INCLUSIVE TRAVEL BUDGET FROM THE START, YOU PROTECT BOTH YOUR WALLET AND YOUR PEACE OF MIND.
HAVE HIDDEN FEES EVER CAUGHT YOU OFF GUARD WHILE TRAVELING? SHARE YOUR STORY IN THE COMMENTS. YOUR INSIGHTS COULD HELP FELLOW TRAVELERS MAKE SMARTER, STRESS-FREE DECISIONS.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION’S
HOW CAN I IDENTIFY HIDDEN FEES WHEN BOOKING TRAVEL?
READ THE FINE PRINT CAREFULLY BEFORE MAKING ANY BOOKINGS. LOOK FOR MENTIONS OF EXTRA CHARGES, TAXES, OR MANDATORY FEES SUCH AS RESORT FEES, BAGGAGE FEES, OR SERVICE CHARGES. WHEN IN DOUBT, CONTACT THE PROVIDER DIRECTLY TO CONFIRM ALL COSTS UPFRONT.
. ARE THERE WAYS TO AVOID PAYING HIDDEN FEES?
YES! RESEARCH IS KEY. FOR EXAMPLE, CHOOSE AIRLINES OR ACCOMMODATIONS WITH TRANSPARENT PRICING, PACK LIGHT TO AVOID BAGGAGE FEES, OR OPT FOR ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGES THAT MINIMIZE UNEXPECTED ADD-ONS.
WHY DO SOME COMPANIES CHARGE HIDDEN FEES?
HIDDEN FEES ARE OFTEN USED AS A WAY FOR COMPANIES TO ADVERTISE LOWER BASE RATES WHILE RECOUPING COSTS THROUGH ADDITIONAL CHARGES. THIS MAKES THEIR PRICING SEEM COMPETITIVE AT FIRST GLANCE BUT CAN ADD UP QUICKLY.
IT DEPENDS ON THE FEE AND THE COMPANY’S POLICIES. FOR INSTANCE, SOME FEES, LIKE SECURITY DEPOSITS, MAY BE REFUNDABLE, WHILE OTHERS, LIKE RESORT FEES, ARE USUALLY NON-REFUNDABLE. ALWAYS CHECK THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
HOW CAN I BUDGET EFFECTIVELY FOR HIDDEN TRAVEL EXPENSES?
FACTOR IN AN EXTRA 10-20% ABOVE THE ADVERTISED PRICE TO ACCOUNT FOR UNEXPECTED FEES. MAKE A LIST OF TYPICAL EXTRA CHARGES, SUCH AS TRANSPORTATION, MEALS, AND TIPS, TO BETTER ESTIMATE YOUR TOTAL COST. PLANNING AHEAD WILL KEEP SURPRISES TO A MINIMUM!
