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Airline fee chart

Posted by George on Wednesday, May 28, 2008


Here we list, airline by airline, fees for ticket changes (non refundable fares); booking fares in person or by phone, kids flying solo, bringing a pet into the cabin, and booking fares other than online. As you can see, Southwest has the lowest and fewest fees, followed by other low cost carriers such as Airtran and Spirit. Note that most of these fees, unless otherwise noted, are for domestic flights; fees for international services may be higher. Last revision: May 28 2009.

See also: New airline frequent flyer program fees 

Airline

Ticket change fee domestic/international Booking fares on phone/in person Unaccompanied minors (double for round-trip) Pet in cabin (double for round-trip) Advance or premium economy domestic seat selection (double for round-trip)
Airtran  $75 (free if within 4 hours of booking)  $15  $39 for nonstops; $59 for connections; per family  $69 $6 (advance seat assignment); $20 (exit row)
Alaska  $50 online ($75 otherwise)  $15/$15  $75; per family  $100  not applicable
American  $150/$150-300  $20/$20  $100; per family $100 not applicable
Continental  $150/$150-$300  $20/$20  $75 nonstop/$100 connecting; per family  $95 $125
 not applicable
Delta  $150/$200+  $25/$25  $100; per family $100 $150  $5-$25
Frontier  $100 $150  $25  $40 $50 per segment, per family Not allowed not applicable 
JetBlue  $100  $15  $75; each child  $100  $10-$20 (first 4 and exit rows)
Northwest  $150/$250+  $25 $100; per family  $80 $150  $5-$30 per flight (exit row and bulkhead)
Spirit  $80 online ($90 otherwise) Lowest fares available online only 

$75 $100; per child

 $85 $100 not applicable 
Southwest  $0 (you get a credit good for a year)  Lowest fares available online only  $25 per child $75 (pets allowed effective June 17, 2009)  not applicable
United  $150/$200+  $25/$30  $99 $150 $99; per family  $100 $175  varies
US Airways $150/$150-$250   $15/$20  $100; per family  $100  $5-$30 per flight (aisle and window at front of economy cabin), although some passengers will be assigned these seats without paying by “luck of the draw”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Discussion: 33 Comments

Categories: Airfare Tips

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Pet fees are the biggest joke. They prey on pet-owners who have to pay sometimes more than their own ticket, lose a carry-on and actually costs the airline LESS in fuel. (Most pets have to weight less than 10-15 lbs to be carry-on, conversely, most people's carry-on baggage weights 20-25 lbs).


by NewYork10011 on Thursday, May 29, 2008



I guarantee you that I will not pay an airline a fee to book my reservation. Whoever was/is the moron that came up with that idea should be sent to an instution for the mentally insane- along with the corporate criminals who are his boss. It is stupidity such as this that is causing problems for the airline industry. If customers don't make reservations- how can the airlines have a customer base. I advocate ALL customers NOT to make reservations for three days, then we would see if the airlines would recind this assinine charge.


by David on Thursday, May 29, 2008



You didn't post that Air Tran also charges
$6.00 to chose a regular seat in advance for each leg of the trip.


by Gloria on Thursday, May 29, 2008



Can we add our "Best Care in the Air" Midwest to this list? Is there a fee yet for their Alterra coffee & warm chocolate chip cookies?


by Sue - Milwaukee on Thursday, May 29, 2008



I'm concerned about the seating situation. My son is physically handicapped and getting him down the aisle even w/ the aisle chair is extremely difficult. I have been told that the bulkhead is reserved for the handicapped but this is hit or miss. Are they going to charge us for Jeff and his dad/me to sit in the bulkhead.


by tigrrfan on Thursday, May 29, 2008



look at that chart and tell me, is it any wonder that Southwest is ranked high in customer satisfaction AND is profitable! You would think that the other airlines would be taking notes.


by Sally on Thursday, May 29, 2008



Frontier is my favorite airline even though it causes me a lay over to use them. But Southwest is looking better and better. I have had a couple bad experiences with Southwest but will give them serious consideration next time I travel.


by Katrina on Thursday, May 29, 2008



Actually you need to update the chart to show that Northwest does charge for making reservations over the phone. See the following:

The following Miscellaneous Charges have been collected:
Miscellaneous fees and charges associated with your reservation are listed below.
Please note that not all fees paid to Northwest will appear below; the information is based on data available in your Reservation Record at this time and will not include fees paid at the airport.

Fee Type/Reference Special Service Ticket Number Method of Payment Amount
Call Center Ticketing Fee Master Card ************XXXX USD 10.00


by Jim on Friday, May 30, 2008



With the sneaky FEE's appearing from the airlines..(supposedly due to Gas cost's)
Should one assume that they will sneek in a new fee shortly...
Pay Toilets plus Tissue per sheet. ?????


by R.T.Mills on Thursday, August 07, 2008



With the sneaky FEE's appearing from the airlines..(supposedly due to Gas cost's)
Should one assume that they will sneek in a new fee shortly...
Pay Toilets plus Tissue per sheet. ?????


by R.T.Mills on Thursday, August 07, 2008



SW Airlines has charged me $50 to change my ticket on 2 different occasions. I was surprised to see your $0 comment.


by Lisa on Monday, September 08, 2008



Actually, Delta now charges $300 RT for a pet, $150 each way. It went from $50 (March) to $150 (Aug) in one year. RIDICULOUS!!! They must want people to NOT fly. Hell I think people should just take the bus and see the sights. But then again, Fido ain't allowed there either. I'm moving to Switzerland.


by KLLH on Tuesday, September 16, 2008



Here's another fare for your chart: US Airways charges $29.95 for a paper ticket. This is not necessarily due to a special request on the traveler's part, either.

After selecting a flight to Newport News VA on Air Tran, Travelocity came up with Lower Cost Options (just a few $ cheaper). I chose one that flew out of MSP on US Airways and returned via Air Tran. (It was only $2 cheaper but less total time. ) BUT, the printout came out higher so I looked closer. Turns out "a paper ticket" was required for my trip (I redid the flight with only Air Tran and did NOT get a paper ticket charge so it is US Airways.) at either $29.95 (2nd Day) or $39.95 (Next Day), eventhough this was 19 days in the future.


by Lukey on Tuesday, September 30, 2008



Chart correction:
Continental charges $15 (per person) for bookings on the phone. $5 more if you pay for the ticket at the airport.


by George on Thursday, November 13, 2008



Delta has revoked it's $50 2nd bag checked fee and under certain circumstances you can file for a refund online. Meanwhile they have revoked their $49 award booking fee but have not offered any compensation. I asked for a $49 voucher toward a future flight since I paid for 2 award tickets 6 weeks before they revoked the fee and I have not started my trip yet. I got back foolishness about their policy of booking last minute, less than 21 days, for a flight.....I booked 2 1/2 months in advance and will depart Dec. 3rd! Although I supplied all of the info they needed they ignored my clear emails, which I have posted on the message board.......incompetence is rife at Delta! Do I really want a voucher from them for a future flight (I don't think so.....)


by Jill Gott on Thursday, November 13, 2008



This story is very useful. Really I like it. Thanks for sharing with us.


by Cheap Airfare on Thursday, November 20, 2008



Northwest ("part of Delta") has raised its one-way pet fee from $80 one-way to $150 one-way, just like Delta! I think they modified (lowered?) some other reservation-related fees to match Delta's.


by Dan on Friday, December 05, 2008



I dobn't know if you've picked up on this one. Used to be that if you booked with USAirways and then saw the same itinerary for less, you could call and they would issue you a credit for the difference. Not any more.

Now they (USAirways) charges a $150 per ticket fee to claim the lower fare. When asked why, they explained it was do to "handling costs". The whole transaction took less than two minutes.


by Dwer on Tuesday, December 23, 2008



I was just thinking about Airline fee chart and you've really helped out. Thanks!


by Yachtcharter Griechenland on Saturday, January 10, 2009



My family used to fly to Denver each year, sometimes 2 - 3x per year, but we have started driving. The "junk fees" have driven travel costs up so high that we can make the 2-day drive (including gas, meals & hotel) for much cheaper that flying. With 2 children, we have alot of baggage. Also, the extra fee for seat selection is ridiculous, we need to have seats together, and we will be penalized for needing to sit together. Unless a perfect stranger wants to take of my 2 year old, we need to all sit together. The airlines better get their heads out of their.......wallets and get rid of these stupid fees. The economy sucks right now, as if anyone didn't already know that, so people will be trying to cut spending whenever possible. So, greedy airlines, I think more people may start driving, riding the rails, or taking the bus. (AMTRAK/Greyhound, here is your chance)


by usedtoflynowdrive on Sunday, February 01, 2009



would like you to put me on your e-mailing list


by airfarewatchdog on Saturday, February 14, 2009



You can sign up for the free airfare alerts by following the information sign up box on the home page. It's easy.


by Jill Gott on Saturday, February 14, 2009



JetBlue has raised the price on the "more seat room" seats. Please get current. Thanks


by ADKWINTER46ER on Saturday, February 28, 2009



Hi,

This was very informative article. Thanks man...


by Cheap Airfare on Sunday, March 01, 2009



My pet, small Shihtzu, has traveled with me for the past three years. We have live in two places and she goes back and forth with me two or three times a month. When Delta's fee was so low, I used them exclusively. When they changed to $75.00 and then to $100.00 each way, I still considered myself lucky because I found their flight attendants and other service people to be more pleasant. I now have attained "Gold" status which enables me to board early (better with Abby-the-Dog) and have seats closer to the front. However, when the pet fee went to $300.00 RT, I the fee was more than the cost of my ticket. OUTRAGEOUS!
I have emailed Customer Service numerous times about this issue.
They cannot possibly make a significant profit charging $100.00 RT more for pets, since the number is limited to 2 Coach, 2 First Class. But the extra $100.00 IS significant to me. The last "crock" excuse I got from them was that having a pet onboard required extra cleaning labor and supplies to protect their customers with serious allergies. Questioning a Delta flight attendant confirmed that reasoning is a flat-out Lie.
As stated earlier,, my pet is considered one of my carry-ons is tucked under the seat in front of me during the flight, and never makes a peep. My seat mates are surprised when I am deplaning because they never knew she was there.
My flights are now with airlines who charge $200.00 RT or less. I am boycotting Delta even though I miss the extra perks of Gold Membership.
Thank you for providing a forum where I can "unload".


by merad on Wednesday, March 11, 2009



Merad: Have you tried a "back door" approach with Delta? What I mean is this: If you have Gold status, I'd call their preferred customer line and ask to speak to a supervisor. They all have the ability to make exceptions. Or if you belong to their Crown Room they might be able to assist. Just a thought...............


by Jill Gott on Wednesday, March 11, 2009



Lisa.. Southwest's change "fee" was probably because the fare went up. You do have to pay a fare difference but I'm pretty sure that if the fare stays the same there's no fee.


by George Hobica on Thursday, March 12, 2009



Just looking around for my daughters dog and noticed that UA says 125 not 175 now for one way fee for in cabin dogs. A shame as they do NOTHING for the dogs.


by Midwest Dad on Friday, April 17, 2009



For your list:

Swissair pet in cabin $200

I just booked a flight a called them to setup this.


by z on Monday, May 11, 2009



I've read two suggestions to avoid the scandalous pets fees:

-Get Service Animal status for your pet.
-Don't tell them what you are carrying on. TSA doesn't check what's on your ticket when they screen people with pets through. A friend's brother has done it for years, but I have been unwilling to try so far.


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