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New From AmEx: Frequent Flyer Fees
by Tim Winship
Pay your credit card bill late and American Express will withhold your points in the programs of Delta, JetBlue, Hilton, and Starwood. Miles can be reinstated for a $29 fee.
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Southwest Is Mostly Mum on New Rapid Rewards Program
by Tim Winship
The architect of Southwest's new program provides some perspective on the current and future Rapid Rewards. But details of the new program, to be launched next year, remain scarce.
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Two Great New Airline Initiatives and One Horrible Idea
by Ed Perkins
Lower taxi costs to and from the airport, as well as automated, lifetime check-in can make air travel easier. But who charges $60 to print your boarding pass at the airport?
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Holiday Tips for Safe and Fun Family Travel
by Eileen Ogintz
With many factors to consider this holiday season, such as airline fees, the flu, and crowds, it may seem impossible to actually enjoy your trip. Keep all in good spirits by following these tips.
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Decision Maker: Ship Items or Pay the Airline Baggage Fee?
by Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Frustrated by airline baggage fees, lost bags, or schlepping your suitcases on multi-leg flights? Here are three easy steps to determine whether you might be better off shipping.
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Expedia Eliminates Phone Booking Fees
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Customers can now book with a real person, for free! Will Expedia's competitors in the online travel agency business follow suit?
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Five Bright Spots for Travelers in 2009
by Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Sure, there were enough new fees and delayed planes to fill a book this year. But the squeeze brought on by the recession yielded some traveler-friendly trends, too.
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United's Baggage Subscription Could Save You Money
by Ed Perkins
While you may scoff at United's $249 yearly baggage subscription, seniors, families, and frequent flyers should take a closer look. Ed Perkins explains how this fee can work for you.
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Air France Adds Second Checked Bag Fee
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Travelers from the U.S. to Europe will now pay $50 for the second checked bag on Air France, while passengers from Europe will pay 50 euros. The change takes effect November 1.
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New Charge Card Awards Triple Points for Airfare
by Tim Winship
A new card from American Express is aimed at big-spending frequent flyers. If you fit that profile, the $175 annual fee may be worth paying.
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Airline Fees: The Ultimate Guide
by SmarterTravel.com Staff
Two dollars for a soda? Ten bucks for an aisle seat? If you're confused about which airlines are charging for which "perks," our Ultimate Guide to Airline Fees can help. We've put every major fee from every major airline in one place.
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Flexibility Saves Money Durings the Holidays
by Ed Perkins
With airlines adding surcharges on many holiday travel dates, you can save big with a little flexibility and by booking early. Ed Perkins explains how to find the trip that best suits your plans.
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Airline Fees: The Ultimate Guide (Europe Edition)
by Jaclyn Liechti, SmarterTravel.com Staff
In response to reader requests, we decided to put together a chart detailing fees for trips to and around Europe.
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Southwest Targets Frequent Flyers' Wallets
by Tim Winship
Everyone's favorite airline plans to add fees when it launches its revised mileage program next year. Where's the love, Southwest?!
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Bag Fees May Not Be Airlines' Savior After All
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Airlines with the most bag fees also saw the biggest drop in revenue last quarter, while Southwest claims fee-weary travelers have flocked to its service. So do bag fees cost more than they're worth?
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United Offers Award Flights for Just 20,000 Miles
by Tim Winship
United is discounting its most popular frequent flyer award, the domestic coach ticket. But you'll have to book quickly to get one at the discounted rate.
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Should We Pity the Airlines?
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Tired of taking a beating for adding and raising fees, some airlines are trying to explain their side of the story. And honestly, they may have a point.
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Can Airlines Possibly Charge for Anything Else?
by Ed Perkins
Food, drinks, baggage, and now seat assignments. Ed Perkins debates whether the onslaught of airline fees will ever end and explains what you can do in the meantime.
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Top Five Travel Horror Stories of 2009
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
What's scarier, a bloodthirsty ghoul or an overnight tarmac delay? (Hint: The tarmac delay.) Read on to discover the year's most terrifying stories from the travel industry, and then submit your own!
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United to Sell $249 Annual Baggage Subscription
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Pay a flat annual fee and get (virtually) unlimited checked bags for a year. It's a good deal for frequent travelers, but does little good for anyone else.
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Ryanair Cuts Check-In Desks, Charges Check-In Fee
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Ryanair is now forcing all passengers to check in online (for a fee). Passengers who don't, or can't, will pay over $60 for "emergency" check-in at the airport.
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Can I Move Frequent Flyer Miles Among Programs?
by Tim Winship
For consumers, the ability to exchange miles and points between their various airline and hotel loyalty accounts is an obvious plus. Airlines and hotels see the matter very differently.
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Midwest Ups Checked Bag Fees
by Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Midwest joins the latest wave of baggage fee increases and ups its first- and second-checked-bag fee by $5. When will it stop?
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United Adds Hotels, Rental Cars as Mileage Awards
by Tim Winship
Beginning today, Mileage Plus members can redeem their United miles for hotel stays and car rentals. The new option raises the question of award value: How much are miles worth?
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British Airways Adds Seat Selection Fee
by Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Another day, another fee. This one comes from British Airways, which plans to start letting people choose seats well in advance, for a fee.
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Get Me Off This Plane, Now!
by Tim Winship
There's plenty of momentum behind passenger rights legislation that would force airlines to release passengers in the event of tarmac delays. Finally!
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Would You Pay More For Fee-Free Travel?
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
Travelers bemoan fees, and understandably so: They're a nuisance that end up costing consumers a lot of money. But which is the lesser of two evils: Fees or higher fares?
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United's 'Premier' Packages Aim to Increase Coach Comforts
by Ed Perkins
Do United's mini-upgrade deals offer coach passengers a better flight? Ed Perkins weighs the pros and cons of packages that feature special seats and check-in, among other perks.
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Bag Fees Still Bringing in Big Bucks
by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff
It should surprise no one, but it's worth pointing out: Bag fees continue to be big business for the airlines, to the tune of $669 million last quarter.
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Tourist Taxes Add to Travel Budget
by Ed Perkins
If you thought taxation without representation was settled in 1763, think again. Ed Perkins explains which popular destinations tax tourists the most, and what you can do to avoid it.
