Top 9 Sneaky Airline Charges: Is It Really Low Cost or Hidden Cost?

How many hidden airline charges are you overlooking daily? Did you know that two-thirds of people responding to any survey on this matter don’t even realize that their flight tickets are not as costly as the hidden charges flight increase much later? Previously, you could get a warm meal, the best seat, fluffy pillows, and luggage allowance without paying more, but nowadays, airlines tend to charge for everything, practically even the air that we breathe in!

You might notice cheap flight tickets at first glance, but by the time you get to payment, the amount has magically doubled! Here’s an in-depth guide to the sneaky airline charges in India, so you can compare the actual price of a flight. Scroll to the end to find helpful tips to avoid these fees!

Oversized Luggage: Airlines Keeping Minimal Baggage Allowance

Most airlines flying from India must now follow the one-bag policy for cabin luggage, weighing up to 7 kg for economy class and no more than 10 kg for business and first classes. Similarly, check-in baggage must not weigh over 23 kg or 32 kg, depending on your class.

These fixed allowances make it easier to charge hefty airline charges for extra baggage or oversized luggage. Luggage fees are often considered to be hidden Indian airline charges, as most passengers are unaware of the quantity of luggage they’ll be carrying on the trip, hence getting trapped in the net of paying additional airline fees for baggage. Some airline charges for Infants between 7 days and 2 years old are zero, so take advantage of the extra baggage allowance when flying with an infant.

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Seat Selection Fees

Bet you’re tempted to purchase the window seat or the one with extra legroom space, to stretch out a bit. It will cost you when checking in online. Regardless of your flying class, the hidden airlines charges international and domestic mainly increase due to this small seat selection fee.

Service Fees & Fuel Surcharge Fees

All airlines charge a service fee to ensure your booking process goes through smoothly. There is no way to avoid this fee if you purchase through the official website. Want to know how to avoid convenience fee IndiGo? Booking through Akbar Travels on Wednesday gives you access to a zero-convenience fee offer, with savings of up to Rs.6,000 on all flight bookings.

Passengers must also pay for fuel. This fee is automatically added to the overall airline ticket price and is not much but it is still part of the hidden airline charges international.

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Fees for Cancellation or to Make Changes

All airlines charge passengers an additional airline charge to make changes to their bookings or to cancel the booking. IndiGo Flight reschedule charges and cancellations are tricky for a full refund, as you must stick to the time gap given, which differs depending on the airline. Sometimes, passengers get only the taxes and fuel charges when they cancel a ticket.

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Wi-Fi Fees

Most airlines charge a small fee of USD 5 or USD 10 to avail of Wi-Fi services on board throughout the journey. It might be portrayed as a choice, but these days it’s impossible to travel with zero entertainment for hours. Mostly, passengers traveling for business purposes get trapped in paying this additional airline charge.

The small amount might not make a difference to your international flight fees, but it can add up if you travel regularly.

Also read: Airlines that Offer Wi-Fi Onboard: Stay Connected in the Clouds.  

Foreign Transaction Credit/Debit Cards

Passengers across the world securing flights with an international airline might not know this, but a fee is applied to the credit or debit card used to pay for the ticket. You can easily avoid this by getting credit cards that waive foreign transactions, allowing you to save 3% on your tickets.

How to Spot & Avoid Hidden Fees

The best and only way to avoid falling into the trap of additional airline charges is to read the fine print before you purchase a flight ticket. You might also need to adjust and book seating with less legroom space, away from a window, which is not a big deal on a short flight. A great way to ensure you’re comfortable, even in the middle seat, is to book an early morning or late-night flight, as the seats on either side will remain empty.

Passengers can also save by becoming frequent flyer members to access additional perks like a larger baggage allowance and access to the lounge without paying extra.

In a nutshell, booking airline tickets is like ordering a pizza. The plain cheese pizza is the cheapest, and every add-on must be paid for. Hence, think carefully about what toppings, oops, we meant services you want to add to your travel ticket.

Disclaimer:

The information provided above is based on the currently applicable airline charges, which are subject to change with airline policy revision or the rates.

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FAQs: Airline Charges

Which airlines have hidden fees?
Almost all airlines have hidden fees, especially American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Spirit Airways.

Why do airlines have so many hidden fees?
Airlines add the additional fees only during checkout, as most passengers only go ahead with the booking process if they notice a small fee at the beginning. Once a passenger fills in all their information, they tend to pay the higher fee, as so much of their time has already been spent on the application.

What do airlines charge extra for?
Airlines charge extra for baggage, Wi-Fi, foreign transactions, seat selection, fuel surcharges, etc.

Are low-cost airlines safe?
Yes, traveling by low-cost airlines is safe.

What is a hidden fee?
Hidden fees are unexpected fees passengers get hit with when they reach the checkout window to pay the amount.

Also Read:

• Smart Tips to Avoid Hidden Hotel Fees While Booking Your Stay
• Luggage Capacity Allowed on Board: What’s the Baggage Size Limit?
• Flying During Thunderstorm: Are You Safe or Sorry?

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