How To Avoid Hidden Fees When Traveling

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Have you ever booked a trip only for it to cost way more than you were expecting? If so, you’re not alone. 

A survey by Travel Noire found that 86% of travelers encountered a hidden fee, and more often than not, they didn’t discover that fee until they were about to pay.

Hotels, airlines, and other travel companies sometimes practice “drip pricing” to increase their revenue. They promote a lower price to get you to book a trip, but the final price you pay is actually much higher. 

Taxes, booking fees, and cleaning fees are examples of drip pricing and are often tucked away in the fine print.

Unfortunately, these hidden fees are common in the travel industry — but there are ways to avoid them. 

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Airline Fees

Airlines (especially budget airlines) often advertise affordable base ticket prices that don’t include the option to choose your seat or check a bag. This can substantially increase the price of your ticket after you’ve purchased it.

In-flight amenities may also come with a cost. For example, you may have to purchase an internet plan to access the in-flight entertainment system or pay a rental fee for a blanket.

How to avoid hidden airline fees

With most discount airlines, the only way to avoid or reduce the extra fees is to travel light (carry-on only!). Otherwise, you just need to be hyperaware of them as you go through the booking process.

For bigger airlines, join their loyalty programs, even if it’s your first flight with them — you may fly them again!

You'll earn points and potentially work your way up to elite status, which often includes perks like free checked bags, seat selection, priority check-in, and reduced change fees.

You can double up on this by using a co-branded airline credit card like the United℠ Explorer Card or Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express, which score you free checked bags and can help you earn loyalty points faster.

COMPARE: Best Airline Credit Cards

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Accommodation Fees

Many cities charge extra taxes on hotel rooms, especially in popular tourist destinations. If taxes aren’t included in your booking fee, your bill might be higher than you expect.

As well, aside from the standard hotel booking fees, some properties charge extra resort fees. These are mandatory fees that cover use of the property’s amenities — including the pool or wifi — regardless of whether you take advantage of them.

Parking fees are also often overlooked. If you plan to drive to a large city where parking is limited, you’ll want to include parking in your total costs. 

Lastly, cleaning services are typically included in hotel reservations but that isn’t the case with private vacation rentals or Airbnbs. Hosts often add a cleaning fee to the total reservation fee. 

How to avoid hidden accommodation fees

Check the fine print of any accommodation before you book, so you can budget accordingly.

If you’re flexible on where you stay, you can shop around for other options. And different types of accommodations may make more sense for your trip. 

For example, if you’re planning a quick trip, it might make sense to book a room at a hotel rather than an Airbnb to avoid expensive cleaning fees. Or, if you’re staying for a month or longer, you may be able to get a long-term rate that negates the cleaning fees.

You may also be able to avoid fees and reduce your accommodation costs by joining a hotel loyalty program or getting a hotel-branded credit card. For example, Mariott Bonvoy members get free wifi and some hotels may waive fees if you book with reward points

Or you could make up for the fees with free nights. The IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card for example, gets you a free fourth night when you book three nights in a row. And the World of Hyatt Credit Card earns you one free night every year. 

COMPARE: Best Hotel Credit Cards

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Transportation Fees

If there isn’t a good public transportation network in your destination and you don’t plan ahead to arrange travel to and from the airport, you can be in for a pricey cab ride

Or, if you need to rent a car, you could find a whole host of hidden fees. Depending on the rental company, you may need to put down a deposit, pay for extra insurance, or pay a fuel surcharge. 

If you are under 25, be prepared to pay a young driver fee, too.

How to avoid hidden transportation fees

Some hotels offer complimentary airport shuttle services, although that isn’t the case for all hotels. Check in advance and, if it’s not an option, check public transporation routes and the average fare for a taxi, so you don’t get scammed on arrival.

Also, many credit cards offer sufficient rental car insurance, so you don’t need to buy it from the rental company. Check your benefits before you book your car.

Phone Charges

While it’s gotten easier to use your phone internationally, it might not be cheap.

Phone providers charge extra fees to make calls and access data internationally. For example, Verizon charges anywhere from $6 to $12 per day to access your phone abroad.

How to avoid hidden phone charges

Get an eSIM, such as Airalo. This is a digital SIM card that you download directly to your phone.

You can then purchase cellular data plans for specific countries or regions instantly — and for a fraction of the price. 

Currency Fees

Airports typically have booths for quick currency exchanges but they charge hefty fees. And if you make a withdrawal at a foreign ATM, your bank may also charge extra fees.

Also, depending on your credit card, you might be charged a foreign transaction fee, typically around 3% of each purchase — which doesn’t sound like much, but can add up if you’re using your card a lot or for big costs like hotel stays.

How to avoid currency fees

Opt for currency exchange offices outside the airport, where the fees are typically much lower. 

It’s also smart to get a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, so you can keep that 3% fee in your pocket. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card are two good options.

Lastly, if you’re ever prompted to choose between your home currency or the local currency when using your credit or debit card, always opt for the local currency. If you convert to USD at the point of sale, you'll be charged additional fees and might get a worse exchange rate.

COMPARE: Best Credit Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees

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Tourist Fees

Visa fees are another hidden fee that you might not consider when traveling abroad. When you arrive at the airport, you may be charged an extra fee to obtain a tourist visa. 

How to avoid tourist fees

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to avoid visa fees, but you can prepare for them by checking your destination’s entry requirements in advance.

Not only will this help you to plan for the expense, but it’ll also help you avoid unwelcome surprises, like realizing at airport check-in that you needed to apply for the visa several weeks ago — trust us, it happens.

RELATED: Tips and Tricks for Saving Money on Travel

Emergency Fees

You never know when an emergency is going to strike. 

This could be an unexpected trip to the hospital after a hiking accident or having to purchase a whole new wardrobe if your luggage gets lost. 

How to avoid emergency fees

While you can’t avoid an emergency, you can avoid the expense through travel insurance. 

A travel insurance policy can give you peace of mind for everything from medical emergencies to delayed luggage — and you may already have it through your credit card.

But check your policy before you book, as the trip needs to be paid for with that card for the insurance to be valid.

If your card doesn’t have travel insurance, you can also use an online broker like VisitorsCoverage to find a policy that covers all your bases.

COMPARE: Best Credit Cards With Travel Insurance

TL;DR: How To Avoid Hidden Travel Fees

Creating a budget can help you avoid hidden fees. This can give you a buffer for unplanned expenses, so if a hidden fee arises, you’re prepared to cover it.

Most importantly: Read the fine print! Understand all the fees associated with your booking and take note of extra fees that could come up later on. 

Even if you think you’re getting a good deal now you might wind up paying for it later on.

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Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.