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Your $99 Ticket Just Became $300—Here’s Why

By now, you’ve probably seen that viral clip of the senator going off on major airlines for their price gouging—and let’s be real, most of us were nodding along thinking, “You know what? He’s right.”
Sen. Josh Hawley shreds airline execs in hearing: 'Nobody enjoys flying in your airlines'
Flying is expensive. Even if you track every dollar, skip the overpriced airport lattes, and hunt for deals, chances are you’ll still end up spending more than you planned. And honestly? It’s not your fault.

But there is a way to cut through the mess of airline fees. We’re breaking down the hidden costs of air travel and giving you a pro’s guide to saving money—so next time you book a flight, you’ll know exactly what to avoid (even if you already think you’ve got it down).

In this post:

Baggage Fees - The Classic Cash Grab:

Let’s start with the most obvious offender. Checked bags aren’t just an inconvenience, they’re a billion-dollar industry. In 2023 alone, the top 20 airlines worldwide made over $33 billion on baggage fees alone.

These days, the price for the first checked bag is roughly $35 or more. Imagine the amount you’d have to pay if you travelled with your family. And if your baggage exceeds the weight limit? Say goodbye to any money you were hoping to save. Excess weight fees can cost anywhere from $50 to $200, depending on the airline.
Here’s how to avoid these charges:

  • Search for airline-branded credit cards that waive bag fees
  • Book higher fare classes or reach elite status for waived baggage fees. Of course, booking a higher fare might be counterproductive.
  • Fly airlines like Southwest, which still lets you check two bags for free. (Note that in the latest update, this perk is likely being removed from the airline for anything under business starting May 28th)
  • Or do the classic move: wear half your wardrobe on the plane. At least you’ll make your suitcase lighter. (We’re kidding)

    • One recommendation you might get is to just take a carry-on and avoid this hassle entirely. Be careful of this, because in the wild world of airlines, even that can be charged.

    Carry-on bag fees: Yes thats a thing now

    Seems like a simple solution, right? If you don’t want to deal with checked bag costs, if you don’t want to wait at baggage claim, or if you just want to avoid the possibility of losing your luggage, just take a carry-on.

    Airlines noticed this, and now, they’re charging for this too, especially the “budget-friendly” ones. Here are a few examples:

  • Spirit Airlines charges up to $99 for a carry-on bag if you wait until you’re at the gate to pay.
  • Ryanair and Wizz Air only allow a small personal item for free; anything larger requires an upgrade.
  • Frontier Airlines can charge up to $60 for a carry-on bag if not booked in advance.

    • And here’s how to make sure you never get tangled up in these:

  • Book fare classes that include a carry-on. You have to make sure that the ticket price is less than the carry-on bag fees. The higher fare class may give you some other perks too.
  • If you plan on booking a regular ticket, pay for your carry-on in advance—day-of prices are brutal.
    • Spirit's ruthless bag size enforcement. Gate agents are incentivized to check on any questionable sizes.

    Seat Selection Fees:

    Want a window seat? Aisle seat? Want to sit next to your family or your buddies? Well, you’re going to have to pay for that (unless you want to be that person that begs to switch seats- but please don't).

    Seat selection fees are hidden costs to watch out for when booking flights. Airlines now charge anywhere from $10 to $140+ to reserve your seat, and the fees climb if you're eyeing extra legroom or bulkhead seats.

    So, how do you deal with this? There are a couple of ways.

  • Skip seat selection and let the airline assign you a random seat. If you’re lucky, you might get a window seat. If you’re not, you might end up sitting in the back or on a middle seat.
  • Check in early to grab the best free seats available.
  • Fly Southwest, for a few more months...
  • Use elite status perks or book premium cabins that include seat selection. With some loyalty programs, your high status might give you the option to have the first choice regarding seats.

    For example United Premier 1K members get unlimited seat selection for them and anyone else on their reservation

    • Changes and cancelations: Because life happens

    Plans change. Airlines know this, and they charge big for it. To make matters worse, some airlines charge you if you want to change the name on a booking. If you’ve entered your name or passport details incorrectly? That’s a fine.

    Or, if you need to modify your flight? You might end up paying even more than the ticket itself! We’ll give you a few examples.

  • Frontier Airlines charges up to $99 for flight changes, depending on how close to departure you make the change.
  • Allegiant Air doesn’t allow cancellations unless you purchase trip flex, an added fee at booking.
  • Delta: Basic economy tickets are non-changeable. For cancellations, the fees can be up to $400, depending on the route and fare rules.

    • How to avoid it:

  • Use loyalty programs—top-tier elites often get change fee waivers.
  • Delta and many other US carriers have implemented a “no-change-fee” policy for the main cabin and above. United has implemented this for most flights as well.
  • For those who don't offer this - Make changes within 24 hours of booking

    • Ticket Classes

    The price you first see advertised by an airline is often misleading. Typically, it reflects the lowest tier of economy class—basic economy—which usually includes nothing more than your ticket and, sometimes, a seat assignment. While it might seem like you're getting a great deal, you'll often end up paying extra for standard amenities like carry-on bags, seat selection, or even the ability to make changes. In many cases, the cheapest fare isn’t actually the best value.

    In-Flight Amenities: Water Is Not Free Anymore

    Gone are the days of free pretzels and ginger ale.

    While many airlines offer complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, several airlines will charge you a lot for a simple meal. These are the strategies used to swindle you out of more money while you’re on the flight. After all, if you’re flying long-haul with kids and they want snacks, you can’t exactly say no, can you?

    Depending on the airline, you might pay $4 for water, $10+ for a sandwich, and even more for WiFi, blankets, or pillows. Budget airlines like Spirit and Frontier charge for everything—even a bottle of water.
    In-flight cart service, a proper study of supply and demand arbitrage.
    How to avoid it:

  • Bring your own TSA-approved snacks.
  • Bring an empty water bottle, refill after you’re done with security. If you’re travelling with family, see if you can bring multiple.
  • Travel with airlines like JetBlue, or airlines with Starlink. These offer complimentary WiFi. Better yet, download shows/music in advance to skip paying, no matter who you fly with.
  • Travel with a neck pillow and a light blanket or scarf.

    • Final Thoughts - Dodge Hidden Fees Like a Pro


    At the end of the day, there are some fees you just can't avoid, like taxes or government fees. That doesn’t mean you can't save a pretty hefty sum if you fly smart. All you need is a little research and picking the service you really need

    Might need to change your ticket? United is your champion. Have trouble with baggage? Southwest is the way to go, for now at least. You don’t need to be a travel hacker, just Google and good packing skills.

    And remember: always read the fine print before hitting that “Book Now” button—because the real price of your ticket is often hiding in plain sight.

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