$100 for a Carry-on Bag?!

 By Meredith McKee, Account Supervisor

Headlines can be a bit deceiving. I was most recently reminded of this last week when on May 2 Spirit Airlines announced that they would be raising their carry-on baggage fees. Almost instantly we began seeing headlines that said they would be charging $100 for a carry-on bag. A more accurate description would have been “travelers could pay up to $100 for a carry-on bag.”

The $100 fee only applies if you pay for the carry-on at the gate after you go through security. If you pay for your carry-on at kiosk or counter before going through security you only pay $50 (up from $40). For those well-prepared travelers who pay online they only have to pay $35 (up from $30). I didn’t understand these fee differences until I visited Spirit’s website for a complete breakdown of their new fee policy. While it may be hard to avoid a fee, it’s easy to save at least $50 by paying before you go through security.

Here are a few tips from Courtney Scott, senior editor at Travelocity.com, on ways to save on those pesky fees that seem to be on every airline these days.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to 100 percent avoid the fees but planning carefully can help reduce the number of fees you incur which can be a huge savings for your trip this summer.  Follow these five tips:

• Choosing an airline that allows some free checked baggage, like JetBlue, is important if you’re the type of person who always checks a bag.  On other airlines, packing light is essential. 
• With the exception of Spirit and Allegiant, you can still carry on one piece of luggage and one personal item free of charge. Every ticketed passenger – including the tiniest toddler w/ a ticket – is entitled to these two pieces so take advantage.  Sharing luggage and spreading belongings among traveling companions can cut down on the number of bags checked and let you pay less. 
• If you travel a lot, you may want to be loyal to one airline. Generally, elite-status frequent flyers are exempt from checked-bag fees. 
• Know your plans before you book. If you change plans on a non-refundable ticket, you’ll pay a $150 change fee PLUS any difference in the cost of a ticket. 
• Bring your own food.  It’s not only cheaper, it’s also healthier.

For more tips and advice from Courtney visit www.windowseatblog.com and follow Travelocity on Twitter.