Costco Connection

; CONSUMERconnection

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Avoiding excess fees when flying

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CHRIS A RUSNAK

SUMMER IS RIGHT around the corner, which means many people will be flying somewhere on vacation. As airlines have adapted to economic trends, additional fees continue to grow more intrusive. Many travelers are not even aware of these extra fees until they are charged at the gate or have already boarded the flight. However, if you understand these fees before getting to the airport, you can properly strategize. Here are some common fees that airlines are charging, and tips on how to make smart spending decisions when you fly.

Baggage fees. Across the airlines, extra baggage fees can make flying with luggage a real challenge. Most allow one or two carry-on bags. However, extra fees—$15, $20 or more—are often applied to each bag you check in (prices differ from airline to airline). Most airlines allow you to check in two paid bags and apply additional charges for a third. They also usually impose a weight limit on individual pieces of luggage, often around 50 pounds. Most airlines include a detailed fee chart on their website.

Clearly, the less luggage you need the better, but research the requirements before showing up at the airport so you are not caught unprepared for excess fees. If you plan on taking large items, such as skis, golf clubs or surfboards, find out if you can rent these items once you arrive at your destination, as it may be significantly cheaper.

Food and beverage. If you get hungry or thirsty when flying, be prepared to spend extra money. Gone are the days when free peanuts rested on your seat upon boarding. Although most airlines still have complimentary beverage service, food costs substantially more on a flight than in a store. The same is true for food sold in gift shops and restaurants in the terminal.

Buy snack food such as sandwiches, fruit and nuts before you even get to the airport. Bring an empty water bottle and fill it from the drinking fountain at the airport after you are through security

(filled bottles are not allowed through the security checkpoints). Then you can bring your own food and water onto the plane and avoid in-flight meal fees.

David
Horowitz

I paid a contractor to build a pool in the backyard of my new home. The pool was built, but there were cracks in the wall. An inspector came by and said that the pool is not up to code and it needs to be rebuilt or I will face a violation. What can I do?

Diana San Diego, CA

Selecting your seat. There are significant differences between bulkhead, window, center and aisle seats. For most travelers, seat selection is of the utmost importance and rates very high on their checklists when preparing to fly. But keep in mind you may encounter extra fees when selecting a seat.

You might buy your tickets online, as this provides the opportunity to shop for bargains. Often these websites give you the option of selecting seats at the time of purchase. Read closely, as an extra fee may be associated with this service; it could be more cost-effective to just wait until check-in.

When selecting a seat, first decide what you want in regard to basic comfort and leg room. If you are willing to pay extra for a better seat, decide just how much you are willing to pay. If there is an extra fee for seat selection at the time of booking, call the airline directly and inquire about their policy. Make sure to request an upgrade at the gate in case a better seat is available.

The contractor is responsible
for a job that is not up to
code. First, you may want to
get the opinion of another
contractor and ;nd out how
much repairs should cost and
what they would entail. Once
you have this information,
make the original contractor
;x his mistakes and repair
the damage in a way
that is acceptable
to you. Do not pay
any additional
money, and write
a contract that
says exactly
what work
needs to be
done in a time
frame that is
acceptable to you.
If the contractor refuses
to comply, the next step
is small claims court.
Make sure you have all
of your documentation,
including the original
contracts and the written
testimony of an indepen-
dent contractor who can
verify that the work was
done incorrectly. C

In-flight entertainment. If you choose to watch an in-flight movie, be prepared to slide your credit or debit card for the privilege. Nowadays, many airlines charge extra for headphones, and typically charge about $8 or so to watch an in-flight movie. If you travel frequently, you may want to invest in a small, portable DVD player that you can use on the flight. You can also bring your laptop on the plane or use a handheld device, such as an iPad, to watch a movie while flying. Air travel is often the pre- ferred method of transporta- tion for reaching a vacation destination. Airlines know this, and they make a significant profit on extra fees. Know these fees ahead of time, be smart and plan accordingly so you do not spend too much money while flying. C

AMY CAN TRELL

David Horowitz is a leading consumer advocate. Visit his blog at www. fightback.com or email him at david@fightback.com. He is a frequent guest on radio and television stations. Consult your local listings for dates and times.

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MAY 2012 ;e Costco Connection 17

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