I was reading an article on MSNBC this morning about escalating airline fees so I thought it would be a good point to note in my blog, since so many of my clients need to fly to get to their embarkation port for their cruises.
Flying to an embarkation port is certainly nothing new, but with the airlines hurting so much with the economy the way it is, they keep coming up with new and more ridiculous fees. It is important for consumers to watch out for hidden fees and make sure they understand these days just what is included in their airfare and what isn't.
Remember the days of free beverages and meals on flights? I know most people never liked airline food, but I always enjoyed getting a meal on a plane. To me, it was a nice distraction from the boredom of being cooped up in a tiny seat on a long flight. The food was never very good, but I welcomed each meal and savored it because at least I was doing something. When I fly nowadays I always take my beloved iPhone and other electronic gadgets to keep myself from going insane with boredom (I am one of those unlucky people who can never really sleep on a plane, no matter how hard I try) but I'm never really engaged in any type of activity. So a meal to me was a great way to break up a long flight. Those days are long gone, of course, unless you are flying international. For domestic travel, you might have at least gotten a complimentary small snack in the past few years, but not anymore. Many airlines are now charging for snacks, and at ridiculous prices, no less. Want a bag of chips? That will be $3.00, please! While airlines certainly feel they might need the extra revenue by selling meals and snacks, I don't think it's necessary that they completely gouge us consumers, either.
Sure, you can grab some food at the airport before you get on your flight, but that's not exactly an inexpensive proposition, either. While airports might be increasing the food items for sale because we poor shlubs who fly coach need to eat something while we're flying for 6 hours, we're not talking about healthy or inexpensive fare. With my family of 5, which includes a teenage boy who can eat copious amounts of food and still be hungry afterwards, we need to increase our travel budget now for airport or airplane meals because I know my kids will start whining for food at least once during a 4 hour flight. So the next time you fly, remember to eat in advance so you won't be hungry in the air, bring food with you, or be prepared to pay an arm and a leg while you're on the plane if you want to eat.
Many cruise passengers pack very heavily for their cruises, especially those that are long and have several formal nights. While checked baggage fees certainly aren't new, the airlines are now charging more if you check those bags in at the airport instead of online. Expect to pay $5 more per bag now on many airlines if you decide at the airport you need to check those bags! Also check the weight of your bags before you leave home: if one weighs more than 50 lbs. you will get hit with exhorbitant fees, some upwards of $100! Here's a tip for all you women out there cruising with your men: pack some of your stuff in his bag so yours won't go over the weight limit. Of course, travel experts have always recommended that couples split their clothing between their bags so that if one bag gets lost, the both of you will still have some clothes to wear, but now this another reason to follow that rule!
Airlines have been charging for onboard "entertainment" for a while, and now that internet access is available on many flights, that can be quite costly, so be prepared if you desperately need to check those football scores while in the air. While I always bring my own electronic devices to keep me occupied while flying, as I stated earlier, what really irks me is now you have to pay for a pillow and/or blanket on a flight! Some airlines now charge as much as $7 for a pillow and blanket -- I'm not sure if that's a "rental" or if you get to keep them as souvenirs of your wonderful flying experience. When flying in the winter time, I now always pack a lightweight shawl/shoulder wrap thing that I can use as a blanket in a pinch if I get cold. It's better than paying $7 for a crummy pillow and blanket!
So what's a cruise passenger to do when purchasing airfare for his next cruise? If you're not using your agent to book airfare for you, be sure to check fares often (even daily) before you decide to buy. Fares can change on a moment's notice, so if you see a really great fare your best bet is to purchase right away because that fare might not be available the next day. Also, when you see a great fare, be sure to check the fine print so you know exactly what is included. As we've now seen, between checked baggage fees, meals/snacks, entertainment, and even a pillow and blanket, your wallet could end up being a lot lighter by the time you reach your final destination. Third, take advantage of many websites' fare alerts, so you can keep track of when your flight to Florida to get on your cruise ship will cost you less.
I should probably note here that, comparatively speaking, it is cheaper to fly these days than it was in the past, so that certainly is a good thing. Airline travel is safe and convenient, and pretty reliable, and I am thankful that we have the freedom to travel when and where we want at such a relatively low price point. I just think that consumers continually getting hit with higher and higher fees and having to pay for things that used to be included, is getting ridiculous, and I for one, would like to see it end.
