Travel Expenses: Can You Claim Fees?

Travel fees are additional charges added to the standard pricing for services, often based on the distance travelled. Travel fees are common for photographers, who may charge a flat rate or a rate per mile. Some airlines also charge baggage fees, which are considered a type of travel fee.

Fees for checked luggage

In the United States, the general policy is that luggage weighing up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms) per piece is allowed to be checked at the government's expense. Any luggage exceeding this weight limit is considered "excess luggage" and must be specifically authorized in advance to be transported at the government's expense. Additionally, receipts are required for reimbursement of checked luggage fees.

Some airlines, such as American Airlines, offer discounts on checked baggage fees when bags are paid for online in advance. They also offer certain memberships, such as the AAdvantage® Executive Platinum®, that provide complimentary checked bags. Other airlines, like IndiGo, allow passengers to book prepaid excess baggage in advance of their flight.

It is worth noting that baggage fees are subject to change, and it is always a good idea to check the latest information on the airline's website before your travel.

Charges for travelling with sports equipment

When it comes to travelling with sports equipment, it's important to note that each airline has its own set of rules and fees. Some airlines let you take sports equipment as part of your free baggage allowance, while others charge additional fees. These fees vary depending on the type of sport, the weight and size of the equipment, and the airline itself.

American Airlines

American Airlines charges standard checked bag fees for sports equipment, which range from $30 to $40. If your equipment bag exceeds 50 lbs and 62 inches, it will be charged as a separate checked bag, and standard overweight and oversize fees will apply ($100-$200).

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines charges standard checked baggage fees for sports equipment, which range from $30 to $40. If your equipment exceeds the weight and size limits, additional or overweight baggage fees will apply ($150).

JetBlue

JetBlue charges an additional $100 handling fee plus the standard check baggage fee ($35-$45) for sports equipment. If your equipment is within the size and weight limits, you will only be charged the standard checked bag fee.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines charges sports equipment fees ranging from $30 to $150, depending on the size and weight of the equipment.

Porter Airlines

Porter Airlines counts sporting equipment as one piece of your checked baggage allowance, unless otherwise stated. While they do not specify the fees, they mention that overweight and oversized fees may apply if you exceed the size and weight restrictions.

Alternative Airlines

Alternative Airlines does not specify the fees but recommends contacting them to inquire about different airline restrictions and costs for transporting sports equipment.

When travelling with sports equipment, it is crucial to properly package and protect your gear. Some common requirements across airlines include removing pedals and fixing handlebars sideways for bicycles, and taping hockey sticks together and packing them separately from the equipment bag. It is also important to declare any firearms or ammunition and adhere to the relevant regulations.

Charges for travelling with pets

When travelling with pets, there are a number of charges to consider. Firstly, the pet must remain in an airline-approved carrier for the duration of the flight. The cost of these carriers can range from $35 to $150, depending on the size.

In addition, most airlines charge a pet fee, which is usually around $100 to $200 each way, but this can vary depending on the airline and destination. For example, American Airlines charges $125 for pets travelling in the cabin, and $200 for pets travelling in cargo. Southwest Airlines charges $95 each way for pets travelling in the cabin on domestic flights, but does not offer a cargo option.

Some airlines, such as United Airlines, charge an additional fee for each layover that is more than four hours in the United States and more than 24 hours internationally. United also does not count the pet carrier as your carry-on bag, whereas many other airlines do.

It is important to note that there may be additional costs for veterinary certificates and vaccinations, especially when travelling internationally. These costs can vary depending on the vet and the specific requirements of the destination country.

Furthermore, there may be charges for excess baggage, depending on the weight and size of the pet and carrier. This is especially relevant if the pet is too large to fit in the cabin and must travel in cargo.

Overall, the cost of travelling with a pet can vary significantly depending on the specific circumstances, but it is important to be aware of all the potential charges involved.

Charges for booking over the phone

Booking over the phone is a service that many people still rely on, especially when booking a complex itinerary with a stopover, or when flights are not displayed. However, most airlines will charge a fee for this service, which can be as much as $25 or more. This is usually waived for elite frequent flyers, but for the average customer, it is an unavoidable cost.

The simple answer is yes, because airlines have to cover the cost of paying a human to answer the phone and provide this service. Agents are not cheap, and airlines have to worry about salaries, benefits, training, turnover, facilities, computer terminals, and telecommunications systems.

However, it can be frustrating for customers who feel they are already paying a premium for the service and then have to pay extra for something they may not want to do. This is especially true for award tickets, where no airline displays award space for all their partners online, meaning customers have no choice but to call and book over the phone.

How to avoid phone booking fees

While phone booking fees are common, there are a few ways to avoid them. Firstly, try to book your ticket online if possible, as most airlines will waive the fee for bookings made through their website. Secondly, some airlines will waive the phone booking fee for certain partners, so it is worth checking if this is an option. Finally, elite frequent flyers usually do not have to pay phone booking fees, so if you fly frequently, you may be able to avoid this charge.

Charges for printing boarding passes at the airport

While some airlines are pushing passengers to use digital boarding passes, it is still possible to print boarding passes at the airport. However, some airlines are now charging for this service.

Printing boarding passes at the airport

Passengers can print boarding passes at the airport using self-service kiosks or by asking a customer service agent. Some airlines, such as American Airlines, provide self-service kiosks that allow passengers to print their boarding passes. Other airlines may require passengers to go to the check-in counter or ask a customer service agent for assistance. It is recommended to arrive at the airport early to allow enough time to print boarding passes, especially if there are issues with digital passes or if the passenger prefers a physical copy.

Charges for printing boarding passes

Some low-cost carriers have added physical boarding passes to their list of optional fees. For example, Breeze Airways charges $3 to print each boarding pass, while Allegiant Air charges $5 (unless the passenger is a current or retired member of the military). Spirit and Frontier Airlines charge up to $25 for a customer service representative to print a boarding pass. These fees are often justified as covering the cost of services that passengers could have done themselves.

Alternatives to printing at the airport

To avoid charges and potential delays at the airport, passengers can print their boarding passes at home if they have access to a printer. Alternatively, passengers can use digital boarding passes on their mobile phones, although this may cause anxiety for some travellers who prefer the security of having a physical copy.

Frequently asked questions