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Domestic airline fees are out of control. You can no longer buy an airline ticket and assume anything is included for the purchase of air fare. The cost of air travel now includes much more than the price of the base ticket fee. Most airlines continue to add fees for everything from checked baggage to blankets and pillows (Ryan Air tried to charge for using the on board toilets) and now charge for these items a la cart.
Mad TV produced this fabulous satire on additional domestic airline fees back in 2007 to the left before airlines started charging for checked luggage and much more but had started charging for meals and things.
It's always great to look at these changing times of air travel and domestic airline fees with a sense of humor since it sure beats crying about escalating fees.
Our domestic airline fees list breaks down what domestic airline carriers are charging for specific services and additional "perks" that used to be included so you can plan your travel budget. Check out this list of domestic airline fees before you purchase your ticket. Keep in mind that there are a lot of airline mergers going on so there may be some overlap, but I do my best to keep this page updated.
Non-refundable ticket change fee: $150 Reservation by phone fee: $20 Unaccompanied minor fee: $100 (per flight) First checked bag fee: $23 - $25 Second checked bag fee: $32 - $35 Additional bags fee: $125 for third bag; $200 each for 4-10 checked bags Overweight bags: $90 for 51-75 lbs., $175 for 71-100 lbs. Oversize bags: $175 for bags measuring 63–80 in (L+W+H), $300 for bags measuring 81-115 in (L+W+H) Pet flight fee: $100 - $175 Disclosure: Bags fees are not included in purchases at delta.com. Bag fees are applied at airport. Snacks: Free - $5 Meal: $6 - 8 Beverages: Free Alcoholic beverages: $5 - $7 Standby/Confirmed seat fee: $50 Priority seating fee: None Legroom fee: None
Non-refundable ticket change fee: $100 Reservation by phone fee: $25 Unaccompanied minor fee: $50 - 100 (per flight) First checked bag: $20 Second checked bag: $30 Additional bags fee: $50 each for 3+ Overweight bags: $75 Oversize bags: varies based on item Pet flight fee: $150 Disclosure: Taxes and fees displayed after itinerary selected. Must click on link to see bag fees. Snacks: Free cookie; other snacks $3 Meal: $6 - $7 Beverages: Free Alcoholic beverages: $5 Confirmed seat fee: $50 Priority seating fee: $65 Legroom fee: $65
Non-refundable ticket change fee: $75 Reservation by phone fee: $15 Unaccompanied minor fee: $75 First checked bag: $25 Second checked bag: $25 Additional bags fee: $25 each for 2-10 bags Overweight bags: Bag one - 71 to 100 lbs - $100, Bags two through ten - 51 to 70 lbs - $50, 71 to 100 lbs - $100 Oversize bags: $50 Pet flight fee: $100 Disclosure: on itinerary selection page small box appears on right to display total price Snacks: $3 - $6 Meal: $7 - $10 Beverages: Free Alcoholic beverages: $6 - $10 Standby/Confirmed seat fee: $50 Priority seating fee: $75 Legroom fee: $75
One of my biggest pet peeves with domestic airline fees is the outrageous change fees on non-refundable ticket purchases second only to charging for checked bags. I sure do miss the good old days...just about ten years ago when air travel was completely different and a much more enjoyable experience. I can't imagine any more fee-fi-fo-fum add-ons that could happen from here, but who knows? I do appreciate that certain airlines, like Southwest Airlines, "get it" and provide more service as a "no frills" airline than most airlines that don't consider themselves no frills do. I think all airlines should downgrade their carrier status to reflect no frills. However, it does seem that there are two things many carriers are giving away for free of charge: Lousy Service AND a Bad Attitude. Enough said (for now.)
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About Marianne Schwab TV Travel Show Producer
For over twenty years, TV Travel Show Producer, Marianne Schwab, has been collecting money saving travel tips as a travel producer for high profile television programs. She has flown all over the world and produced live television productions on location from Caesar's Palace on the Vegas Strip to the beautiful island of Oahu. Read more
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