Airline 'Junk Fees' That Are Costing You A Ton And How To Avoid Them

Last year, five U.S. airlines raked in over $3 billion from seat fees alone — a number that's likely to continue climbing. That's according to a Senate subcommittee report on so-called "junk fees" charged by airlines. It's aptly called: "The Sky's the Limit." If you feel like your airfare is only the beginning of the bill, you're not imagining things: Junk fees can add up to more than the price of the fare.

"Junk fees," officially known as ancillary fees, are charges airlines tack onto the price of your ticket. They're for things like seat selection, baggage, and priority boarding. In the past, these fees were the territory of budget carriers — think Frontier in the U.S. or Europe's Ryanair — but now, regular airlines have gotten in on the act with their Basic Economy fares. The report looked at five U.S. airlines, American, Delta, United, Frontier, and Spirit, to determine just how much they make from ancillary fees and how those fees are calculated. 

For travelers, the figures were sobering. Between 2018 and 2023, the five airlines made over $12 billion from seat fees and a staggering $25 billion from baggage charges. The additional fees make the base ticket price pretty meaningless and ensure it's more difficult for customers to compare prices across airlines. Everyone is upset, including Senator Josh Hawley, who ripped into Frontier in particular, calling flying with them a disaster. 

If you think buying a ticket means buying a seat on the plane, you're wrong (kind of). Certain ticket types buy you a randomly allocated seat; if you want to choose where you sit, that's going to cost extra. How much extra? It varies by airline, seat type, and even customer. Yes, airlines show customers different prices based on an algorithm that measures how much they're likely to pay. As an example of costs, extra legroom seats went for up to $319 on United in 2023.

You'll also pay to extra to sit by a window, toward the middle of the cabin, or simply to sit next to your traveling companion. While some adults flying alone might be able to skip this fee, parents with young children typically have no choice but to cough up to sit next to their kids. (Though there may be a way to ensure your family gets seated together for free!)

If you're willing to play roulette with where you sit, hold your nerve and check in as late as possible (with a margin for error). Checking in for your flight early doesn't usually bag you the best seats in economy unless you're willing to pay. If you check in later, you might get the unassigned seats no one wanted to fork out for. Extra legroom could be yours for free!

Now let's talk baggage fees. This tends to be the area where airlines make the most money. If you've flown with Frontier or Spirit in the past few years and witnessed passengers frantically trying to stuff their carry-ons into a miniature sizer at the gate, there's a reason for this chaos. The Majority Report discovered that "In 2022 and 2023, Spirit and Frontier paid more than $26 million to incentivize gate agents and others to collect bag and other fees." Yep: The airlines' employees get a bonus every time they deem your bag too large.

So what can you do? First, go over each airline's (complicated) baggage rules with a fine-tooth comb. Many airlines only allow you to bring a personal item for free on certain flights. Personal items are small — smaller than most regular carry-ons, so make absolutely certain that your bag will fit in the sizer. There's no room for error, and one extra inch could cost you big time. Maximize space by using these hacks to get the most out of airline baggage policies.

For larger carry-on baggage, you'll often need to cough up a fee. Compare the prices of checked luggage versus carry-ons to make sure you're not overpaying. For example, United Basic Economy passengers can pay $35 and up for a carry-on, but pre-paying for a checked bag can also cost $35 on many domestic flights. Don't get stung because you think carry-ons will always be cheaper. Finally, check whether your credit cards or airline memberships offer free baggage perks and take advantage.