The Extras Add Up On Holiday Flights
Extra charges such as baggage costs, credit card fees, meals and sitting together charges can add hundreds to the cost of flights a survey conducted by Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards Service has highlighted.
Trading Standards Officers surveyed a number of low cost carriers and found that there are a plethora of mainly unavoidable charges which are now routinely added to the costs of flights – on top of taxes.
These are some of the extra charges a family of three could end up paying on a return flight to Spain in August, over and above the cost of the flight and taxes.
Up to £39 to sit together on a flight
Up to £20 for paying by credit card, and
Up to £36 for in-flight meals
Baggage costs can be equally expensive. Some carriers charge £12 per person to take up to 15kg in weight. However, take more than one bag to the airport per person and you could be charged an extra £12 for each bag. Go 1kg over your weight (that’s equivalent to a bag of sugar), and you could get charged an additional £12 for each and every kilo.
Therefore, someone who takes two bags to the airport and goes over his allocation by 5kg, could end up paying £85.
It could be cheaper to buy your holiday reading and beach towels abroad than take them with you.
These charges are generally added to the overall cost of flights as the online booking process progresses.
Trading Standards Officers advise consumers looking to book flights to follow their top tips:
*Beware of hidden extras when you book online. Website prices will often increase as you move through the booking process.
* Keep to one bag per person, and stay under your limit. If you think you will go over, buy your heavy items e.g books abroad.
* With extras, some low budget flights may cost as much as buying standalone ticket from a scheduled main carrier – so shop around.
* Charter flights occasionally have spare capacity and may offer very cheap flight only deals - give travel agents a call.
* To some destinations an inclusive package holiday price may be cheaper than paying the cheapest standalone ticket from a scheduled main carrier. You can then use the accommodation provided in the package or book your own.
For consumer help and advice, visit our website: http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards
Or phone Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.