How to Avoid Unnecessary Travel Fees

Written by Susan Lanier-Graham

September 23, 2021
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Avoid unnecessary travel fees using these tips and suggestions. This lets you really enjoy your international travels.

While traveling is exciting and adventurous, it can also be expensive. It becomes even more costly when you’re not aware of additional fees and costs that you could potentially avoid. To ensure you don’t pay too much, take a look at the following helpful ways of avoiding unnecessary travel fees.

Travel at Off-peak Times to Avoid Unnecessary Travel Fees

One of the biggest costs of traveling is transportation, but you can avoid unnecessary high prices by traveling at off-peak times. If you’re going on vacation, you may have the option of choosing which time of the year to go. By opting for the fall or spring, or even winter, instead of the peak season of summer, you could save substantial money on flights and other transportation.

essential traveling abroad checklist

Look at traveling off-season to avoid unnecessary travel fees. Photo by Gustavo Fring via Pexels

Traveling off-peak doesn’t only apply to the season. It also applies to the time of departure. If you don’t mind catching a flight at three in the morning, you’ll be able to pay much less than a flight that departs during peak-time hours.

Lower Airport Parking Fees

Parking at an airport can be very costly. But there are a couple of ways you can avoid the high prices. First, you could get a bus to the airport or ask a friend to drive you. Secondly, you can get a cheaper price for parking by going with an offsite parking site and booking in advance. You can gain substantial savings when you make an online reservation. And you don’t need to worry about parking some way from the airport terminal because all reputable offsite airport parking services provide free shuttle services to the airport. If you’re leaving from Houston IAH or other US airports, you can get great prices at OneStopParking.

Avoid dark, dimly lit parking areas. Photo courtesy StockSnap via Pixabay

Use off-site parking and take the shuttle. Photo courtesy StockSnap via Pixabay

Look at Ways to Avoid Paying Costly Airline Baggage Fees

Baggage fees on flights are becoming more difficult to avoid, but there are some ways you could avoid paying over the odds. It basically comes down to which airline you decide to fly with. JetBlue allows you to check in one bag for free if you choose a higher tier fare and Southwest Airlines doesn’t charge any baggage fees for passengers traveling domestically in the United States. Also, you could avoid baggage fees by using an airline’s branded credit card to purchase your ticket. You might also consider simply taking a carry-on bag. 

travel bags

Consider baggage fees when you decide how to pack.

Avoid Hotel Fees

You can always save money when traveling by checking into less expensive hotels, but you also need to be aware of extra fees that hotels may charge. Hotels around the world are increasingly charging fees for things like early check-ins, holding luggage until rooms are ready or after you have checked out, and guaranteeing a specific type of room. Such extras can soon add up.

tips for booking the best accommodation for your travels

Online hotel reviews can add insight when booking your accommodation. Photo by ming dai via Pixabay

Sometimes it can be worth staying at a hotel that charges a higher room rate but doesn’t charge for extras rather than vice versa. To avoid paying extra fees at hotels, do some research about hotels’ policies before you book.

Determine the Cheapest Payment and Withdrawal Methods

If you’re traveling abroad, you need to be aware of the different fees you could have to pay when using your debit card or credit card, as well as the fees for withdrawing cash from ATMs. There are all kinds of fees attached to using different payment and withdrawal methods, the cost of which will vary from one country to another.

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Consider fees before using your credit cards at an ATM

Therefore, find out from your bank or credit card provider what fees they charge for transactions abroad and research how much ATM withdrawals are for the country you’re planning on visiting so that you can identify which payment and withdrawal methods cost the least money. If you’re not prepared, you could end up spending hundreds of dollars on fees.

When you use these helpful tips, you can avoid unnecessary travel fees. This gives you so much more enjoyment on your travels. Be sure to check out Wander for some of our favorite destinations. We also offer so many more great travel tips to help you make your travels enjoyable. 

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Avoid unnecessary travel fees using these tips and suggestions. This lets you really enjoy your international travels. While traveling is exciting and adventurous, it can also be expensive. It becomes even more costly when you’re not aware of additional fees and costs that you could potentially avoid. To ensure you don’t pay too much, take a look at the following helpful ways of avoiding unnecessary travel fees. How to Avoid Unnecessary Travel Fees

Written by Susan Lanier-Graham

Founder and publisher Susan Lanier-Graham is an award-winning travel writer and author of more than 75 books. For more than three decades, she has explored the world in search of unforgettable “wow moments,” from the jungles of Thailand and the temples of Egypt to wine regions, coastlines, and hidden gems closer to home. Her work blends immersive storytelling with practical insight, helping readers experience destinations more deeply. Based in Spearfish, South Dakota, Susan covers travel, food, and wine with a focus on meaningful experiences. She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), and is a Certified California Wine Appellation Specialist (CWAS).

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