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You're trying to woo a new client for your small business, but he is several states away. So you pack your bags and head to the airport.
You're running late, so you opt for short-term parking, where the fee has risen to $20 a day. Ouch! You check your bags at curbside, and those golf clubs you brought for a round with your potential client -- they'll cost you $50 in an extra baggage fee. Ouch again!
Your flight is delayed, so you decide to fire up your laptop -- another $10 to $20 to connect to the Internet at the airport. By the time you arrive at your destination, rent a car and check into a hotel, you've been hit with so many charges that you're starting to wonder whether it was worth the trip.
Airlines, hotels and rental-car agencies have been finding new and creative ways to boost their revenues, and consumers are feeling the pinch. So many things that used to be free or part of the base price of traveling now come with a fee.
"The thing about hidden fees is that you can control some of them," says Rick Seany, chief executive of Farecompare.com, an airline ticket research site. "But the bottom line is that you can't avoid most fees."
Don't be too discouraged, though. You can keep the cost of travel under control by being aware of these costs and knowing which ones you can avoid or contest.
AIRLINE FEES
When flying the friendly skies, there's not much that doesn't have a fee attached to it now. Here are some of the most prevalent (and annoying):
The most common fee, Seany says, is a fuel surcharge of $40 to $50 roundtrip. (Delta recently increased its surcharge by $10, so it's up to $60 on some trips.) For trans-Atlantic flights, expect to pay a fuel surcharge of about $215; for trans-Pacific flights, the surcharge jumps to $280.
How to avoid it: Shop around. Southwest has a lower surcharge than other airlines, Seany says. Or use airlines that fly Southwest's routes and match its fares. Too bad Southwest doesn't fly overseas -- yet.
Excess baggage fee: Starting May 5, United Airlines, US Airways and Continental will charge $50 roundtrip if you check a second bag. Business travelers who shell out more for first class or business seats still can check a second bag free. Seany says expect other airlines to follow suit.
Some budget airlines, such as Spirit Airlines, charge for every checked bag.
If any of your bags weigh more than 50 pounds or exceed 62 linear inches (height plus width plus length), expect to pay at least $50 to $200 per bag.
How to avoid it: Most major airlines -- such as American Airlines, Delta and Northwest -- still let you check two bags for free. And many allow first-class travelers to check in three bags for free. Check the airlines' Web sites for their baggage regulations and pack light.
As for golf clubs, many airlines count them in your two-bag allowance. Watch out, though: You still might pay an oversize fee. American Airlines, for example, lets you check in golf bags weighing up to 70 pounds without a fee; Delta limits it to 50 pounds.
Booking fee: You'll pay $5 to $20 if you book through an airline representative. You'll pay a fee for a paper ticket. And you might have to pay a fee to get a coveted aisle seat. Even if you book online through a travel site such as Expedia, you'll pay an extra $5. With a smaller, lesser-know site, such as Cheapoair.com, expect to pay $15 to $30 to book your flight.
How to avoid it: Use a travel search engine, such as Kayak.com or Airfarewatchdog.com, which will help you find the cheapest flight and provide a link to the airline's site. You won't pay a fee for booking through an airline's site.
HOTEL FEES
Here's a table of the standard rates some hotels now charge for services:
| HIDDEN HOTEL FEES | |
| Service | Fee |
| Internet access | $9.95 - $19.95 a day |
| Fax | $1 - $5 a page |
| Room service delivery | $2.50 plus 21% gratuity |
| Early check in/out | $50 t o cost of one night's stay |
| Housekeeper gratuity | $10- $30 |
| Energy surcharge | $3 - $6 a day |
| Groundskeeping | $3 or more |
| Pool towels | $1 - $2 |
| Resort fees | $10 - $30 |
| Bottled water | $4 - $6 |
| Baggage holding if you arrive early | $3 a bag |
And here's how you negotiate them down or avoid them:
Inquire upfront about services you plan to use (such as the Internet, fax, workout room) before you book a room. Such services can be essential. But sometimes you can negotiate to have the fees waived. If you used a travel agent, ask him or her to do the negotiating.
Check the bill -- closely. "If there's a fee that you shouldn't be charged, address it at that moment," says Caleb Tiller, spokesperson for the National Business Travel Association. Extra fees should be clearly stated in the reservation conditions when you book your room. If they're not, ask that the charges be removed.
Watch out for the minibar. Minibars are convenient, but don't tinker with them if you don't plan to use the contents. Some hotels have installed minibar sensors, so if you move an item, the software registers it as having been consumed. And be aware that sometimes hotels charge restocking fees in addition to the price you'll pay for chips or a cocktail.
RENTAL CAR FEES
If you don't follow the rental companies' rules closely, you can be hit with penalties.
Late fee: Most rental companies give you a 29-minute grace period for returning a vehicle. Turn your car in later than that and you'll face an hourly rate or even for another full day if your delay turns into hours.
Cancellation fee: Better give the rental company at least 48 hours notice if you plan to cancel. (Some fees are as high as the cost of a day's rental).
Fuel charge: You have to prepay for gas or return the car with a full tank. Save your receipt. If you drive less than 75 miles, some rental companies charge $10.50 fee if you don't present a receipt showing you filled the tank before returning the car.
How to avoid these fees: Most companies post their rental terms on their Web sites. Read the fine print of your contract, too. If you know the terms, you can save money.
Excise taxes: In some cities and metropolitan areas, pricey taxes are tacked on to your bill to pay for local projects, such as stadiums and convention centers. Tiller of the National Business Travel Association says he hears more complaints from his members about excise taxes than about any other type of fee.
There are 113 car rental excise taxes in 43 states and the District of Columbia. Since 1990, car-rental customers have paid $5.9 billion in excise taxes, Tiller says. The taxes vary: Some places charge a set dollar amount per day; some charge a percentage of the rental cost; some charge both.
How to avoid it: Alas, you can't. This is a non-negotiable tax, so be prepared to factor it into your travel budget. The NBTA is lobbying to stop new taxes or increases.
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