Travelers coping with higher pricing
It’s no surprise travel across the board is costing more: Cruise ships are adding fuel surcharges, airlines are charging for soft drinks and even car rental companies are finding new fees. So what to do?
Some advice from travel experts on air and other travel venues:
—Airport check-in times have been made earlier, so you need to get there even earlier. Allow plenty of time for check-in, since you will not be entitled to denied-boarding compensation and will be forced to fly stand-by.
—Print boarding passes at home to save time
—Spirit and Frontier do not even take cash on board, because they found revenues increase when passengers charge, so take some cash if you want something to eat.
—It’s never been better advice than to travel light, since the fees add up for overweight and excess luggage. Typical weight restrictions: 50 pounds.
—Have $2 handy if you want curbside check-in.
—Check the Transportation Security Administration’s Web site (www.tsa.gov) for updates on prohibited items, such as new restrictions on things you may never have heard of such as bans lithium batteries.
—It used to be car-rental companies gave you an hour before you had to pay added fees. Now try 30 minutes, in a little-announced development.
—Expect more and more cruise ship surcharges. Typical fees have been $50 to $70. More are on the way.
—You probably know to stay away from the overpriced mini-bar but some hotels have been charging — believe it or not — for water. Ask whether the water is free, advises Tom Parsons, publisher of Bestfares.com.
Other advice from Mr Parsons: “Be sure to read the fine print.”
Report by David Wilkening
David
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