Sneaky Airline Fees: How Advertised Prices Don't Tell the Whole Story

In fact, according to travel experts, choosing the cheapest base cost is no longer the best way to obtain a decent bargain. This is due to the fact that airlines now frequently impose higher fees for "extras" like wifi, checked baggage, seat assignments, and refreshments.

Let's think about this. When you first see the price of a flight on an internet travel agency, it may look enticingly inexpensive.

Drip Pricing: What is It?

This price approach, also known as drip pricing, is said to benefit customers by enabling them to pay only for the things they really value. It can increase an airline's revenue, no doubt. Critics counter that this makes it more difficult to compare costs between airlines and ascertain the actual cost of flying.

Keyes links the origins of drip pricing to the start of airline fees for second luggage checks in 2008. This made it possible for full-service airlines to compete with low-cost carriers by providing a simpler, less expensive ticket.

Unbundling rates, however, has the drawback that it is more difficult for customers to compare the costs of tickets offered by other airlines.

The head of IdeaWorks, a consulting firm that has provided advice to American airlines, Jay Sorensen, concurs that drip pricing complicates the process of evaluating airline ticket rates. However, he continues to believe that it may help customers by enabling them to pay for the items they desire and discard those that are unnecessary.

Sorensen likened the process of purchasing airline tickets to that of grocery shopping.

How to Save on Airline Tickets

Here are a few ways to save on airline tickets for 2024:

1.Book Early or Late: Booking your tickets well in advance or taking advantage of last-minute deals can result in significant savings. Keep an eye out for early-bird specials or last-minute promotions to snag the best fares.

2.Be Flexible with Dates and Airports: Flexibility is key to finding cheaper flights. Consider flying on weekdays or during off-peak hours, and be open to using alternative airports, which can often offer lower fares compared to major hubs.

3.Use Rewards and Miles: If you're a member of a frequent flyer program or have accumulated airline miles, use them to offset the cost of your tickets or upgrade to a higher class. Leveraging rewards and miles can lead to substantial savings on your airfare.