The Hidden Costs Of Travel
The arrival of the Independence Day holiday week means the summer travel season is in full swing. AAA says more Texans are traveling this year than last, with destinations ranging from as far away as Europe to as close as San Antonio. But a vacation for you may not be one for your wallet. Linda de Sosa, Vice President of Sales for Woodlake Travel in Houston, tells KTRH there are so many hidden travel expenses, "it's frightening."
The biggest hidden fees can be in your airfare, particularly in the form of fuel surcharges, which de Sosa says are often built in to the price of the ticket. "I'm going to London next week and I think $700 of my $1100 fare was fuel surcharges." Baggage fees are becoming a more expected, but still annoying part of travel for many people. But de Sosa says the fees can go beyond that. "Now, even some of the airlines are charging you extra if you want an aisle or a window seat."
For many travelers, the extra charges don't stop when you arrive at your destination. Resort fees are now common at many high-end vacation spots. "They will have a fee that will be daily per room, maybe like 20 or 25 dollars," de Sosa says. Those fees often allow guests to use features such as the spa or wi-fi Internet. In addition, hotel price quotes aren't always what they seem. "Hotels may give you a good rate, but there's some that between taxes and surcharges may add on 20 percent to that or more," de Sosa says. Overall, she recommends checking the fine print on prices before booking your trip, and allowing for extra charges like baggage fees and ATM fees before departing.
