A few months ago I asked George Hobica, founder of Airfarewatchdog.com, what airlines don't charge for, considering many levy a fee on everything from seat selection to blankets and pillows. Among the things he listed that most airlines don't make travelers pay extra for was the use of overhead bins. Most -- but not all.
DOWNLOAD: The Kip Tips iPad App
Spirit Airlines, which currently charges $20 to $45 for carry-ons, recently announced that it will start charging a $100 carry-on bag fee November 6. Talk about a hefty fee.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Granted, only passengers who wait until the boarding gate to pay for bags that will be stored in an overhead bin will have to pay the steep fee, which Spirit says in a press release was "intentionally set high to deter costly delay-causing gate activity." But Spirit also will be raising carry-on fees for customers who pay prior to arriving at the gate. Starting November 6, the standard fee will be $35 (a $5 increase) for customers who pay for carry-ons when they book their flight or before check-in. Customers who pay for a carry-on at the check-in counter will be charged $50 (a $10 increase).
According to Airfarewatchdog.com's guide to airline fees, Spirit is one of only two airlines that charge for carry-on bags (Allegiant is the other). All the major airlines, other than Southwest and JetBlue, charge passengers for checking bags but give them a pass when they bring small luggage onto planes and stash it in the space above their heads.
Not only does Spirit charge for carry-ons, but also it levies fees on checked bags. And it charges a slew of other fees that can reach as high as $125. Its base fares are super cheap, though (as low as $9 for Fare Club members). But you'll end up paying as much as you would to fly on a major airline if you don't do enough advance planning to avoid extra charges when flying on Spirit.
Share your thoughts on Spirit's $100 carry-on fee -- and airline fees, in general -- in the comments box below.
-
Why Does One Claim Jack Up My Insurance After Years of No Claims?Even loyal customers can be hit with an insurance premium hike after a claim, despite going many years without any claims. There's a reason for that.
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks End Higher in Whipsaw SessionThe main indexes were volatile Thursday with Nvidia earnings in focus.
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute VacationTravel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
-
Best Places to Visit Where the Dollar Is StrongFrom the Americas and Europe to Africa and Asia, we list the 10 best places to travel to where the U.S. dollar is the strongest.
-
24 Best Travel Websites and Apps to Find Deals and Save You MoneyTravel Use Kiplinger's guide to the best travel websites and find discounts and deals so you can vacation without breaking the bank.
-
Five Ways to Save on Vacation Rental PropertiesTravel Use these strategies to pay less for an apartment, condo or house when you travel.
-
How to Avoid Annoying Hotel Fees: Per Person, Parking and MoreTravel Here's how to avoid extra charges and make sure you don't get stuck paying for amenities that you don't use.
-
Frequent Flyer Tax Could Raise Billions for ClimateCould taxing frequent flyers help combat global pollution? Some climate scientists say yes.
-
How to Make The Most of a Travel Insurance ClaimMore travelers are buying insurance. If your trip is canceled, take these steps to increase your chances of recovery.
-
Despite Cancelled Flights and Short-Staffed Hotels, Americans Are (Sort of) Traveling AgainBusiness Travel Thanks to high gas prices, cancelled flights and labor shortages across the sector, the post-COVID travel recovery looks uneven.
