It's quite interesting how the airlines have come up with their current pricing structure. You can find decent ticket prices, but the services have greatly diminished.
US Airways is one example of an airline that has charging for extras down to a fine science. If you get the super deluxe cheap rate, you will generally get the worse seats on the plane. Now, let's just say you would like a better seat. You can still do that, but at a cost. On the smaller jets the cost of a better seat is around $5.00 each. You can choose to upgrade your seat at the time of online check-in. On the bigger planes the cost of changing to a better seat is $15.00 per seat. If you carry on your bag, there is still no charge. For checked luggage it's another story. The first bag you check is $23 if you do it during online check-in. At the airport it's a bit more expensive at $25. The second checked bag is $32 or $35. The prices for this airline's checked baggage have been steadily climbing. I'm guessing it's the same with the other airlines.
Most airlines no longer give any kind of a snack. You can purchase one if you want. They do still give drinks. Some flights only give you a little plastic cup filled mostly with ice. Occasionally you'll get a full can of coke, but that doesn't happen very often any more.
I used to check baggage in the days before the charges, but not anymore. If I can't carry it with me on the plane, it stays home. I'm guessing that most people do the same thing. I'm getting good at packing for several weeks using a carry on bag. I no longer take any liquids with me as I don't want any added chance for a hassle. I am determined to travel the cheapest way possible. If that means things are not quite so convenient for me, then so be it. I don't mind taking a little snack with me from home. I usually buy a bottle of water after I go through security so that I have something to drink. I now travel on the red eye, but that's not so bad. Whatever I can do to keep more money in my pocket I will do.
Before you book your flight, check exactly what is extra. Plan to avoid those costs by bringing your own food and carrying on your own bags. It could be in the future that airlines will charge for carry on luggage as well. Spirit Airlines is going to start doing that in August. I don't know what I will do to counter act that greediness. Check out my article on Factoidz about, Will Airlines Start Charging for Carry on Luggage. This is pretty outrageous. We'll just have to see what happens in the future. Could be that some of these airlines will price themselves out of business.
I also wrote an article on Associated Content about, Flying is no Longer Fun. If you've got a second click on the link to read it. Thanks for reading my blog.
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