Here is a look and just some of the pay-as-you-go airline fees that you can be responsible for, no matter where you are going or what airline you choose to carry you to your destination.

Direct Ticket Purchase
With some airlines, you have to pay more money if you order your tickets over the phone directly with the airline, instead of making arrangements on the internet.

Bag Check
What used to be free now can cost you $15 or more. Not every airline does charge a per bag fee for the first bag but you also need to know that some airlines will even charge you extra if you do not prepay that per-bag fee ahead of time via the internet. The rate usually increases with each bag you add. Also, if your bag goes over the weight limit, expect to pay upwards of $50 for each overweight bag and even more if you are flying internationally.

Flight Change Fee
If you have to change your flight for any reason, expect to pay between $50-$150 for each ticket or up to $250 for international travel.

Drink Fees
Who doesn’t look forwards to the free soda and peanuts on a flight? Well, depending on what airline you flight, that snack might be a pipe dream. While most airlines still offer at least a free non-alcoholic beverage, expect to pay $5-$7 for one cocktail on most airlines.

Pet Fees
If you have to travel with Fluffy or Fido, expect to pay $100 or more for your pet.

While a cheap getaway flight may seem right up your alley and within your budget, don’t be deceived at first glance. Take a good, hard look at what else you have to pay to fly so “cheap”. Sure, there are legitimately great deals out there, especially via the internet but know what you are getting into before you go. It may save you money by researching other modes of travel, such as driving yourself or taking a train.

What’s The Deal With These Airline Fees? was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Photo Credit: TripAdvisor.com

In less than one week, travelers will be packing up the cars, turkeys and suitcases on the way to “grandma’s house” for a Thanksgiving holiday. Or perhaps a travel destination this holiday might be to the beach or a shopping mall. TripAdvisor® and AAA have announced the results of its Thanksgiving travel survey and forecasts and each have a slightly different ending.

Despite a continued downturn in the U.S. economy, 37 percent of Americans plan to travel this Thanksgiving, equal to 37 percent one year ago, according to TripAdvisor survey results. Other findings include that 57 percent of respondents plan to drive to their destination this Thanksgiving, down slightly from 59 percent, last year, while 38 percent intend to fly, up marginally from 37 percent, one year ago.

“We continue to see that Thanksgiving is a dedicated travel holiday among our respondents, regardless of circumstance,” said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor.

According to a released report by AAA, approximately 41 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a decrease of 600,000 travelers (1.4 percent) from last year’s total of 41.6 million. This is the first decline in Thanksgiving holiday travel since 2002 and is the fourth consecutive travel holiday this year with a year-to-year decline in the number of travelers.

Travelers are weighing spending money on holiday trips or conserving cash on other life needs. Even with the Dow dropping below 8000 on November 20, 2008, the continuing decrease in petroleum is contributing toward predicted decreases this holiday season from being worse.

“The overall state of the economy continues to present real challenges for some Americans looking to travel this Thanksgiving,” said AAA President and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet. “However, the desire to spend time with family, combined with significantly lower gasoline prices than earlier this year, will provide a strong impetus for many Americans to travel this holiday season.”

AAA reports the national average for self-serve regular gasoline is $2.07 per gallon. Today’s price is 88 cents less than a month ago and $1.03 less than a year ago.

Thanksgiving travel TripAdvisor survey results include:

Family Matters

Seventy-seven percent will see family and friends for the holiday. Seven percent said they are traveling specifically to avoid family and friends. Thirty percent of respondents said they feel pressure to travel and spend Thanksgiving with family.

Fifty-five percent said seeing family and friends makes Thanksgiving travel worth all the hassle, while 25 percent said just getting away makes it worth it.

Cash Considerations

Seventy-six percent of travelers said economic and market concerns have not affected their Thanksgiving plans. If money was no object, 30 percent said their dream Thanksgiving would be exploring an exotic tropical destination, while the greatest amount, 31 percent said their idea of a dream Thanksgiving is right at home with family and friends.

Time and Distance

Twenty-eight percent will travel to their destination on Thanksgiving Day, and 28 percent will travel the day before on Wednesday, November 26. Twenty-seven percent will travel home on Sunday, November 30. Thirteen percent will travel home on Thanksgiving Day.

Fifteen percent will travel less than 100 miles from home for Thanksgiving, and 36 percent will travel less than 300 miles. Nine percent said they will be traveling overseas this Thanksgiving. Fifteen percent of respondents said they will be traveling outside the U.S. for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Thirty-six percent will visit a city this Thanksgiving, 33 percent will go to the suburbs for the holiday and 15 percent will be going to a beach.

Thanksgiving Love and Hate

Thirty-four percent said they love everything about Thanksgiving. Ten percent cited flight delays as the most annoying aspect of Thanksgiving, 10 percent said getting stuck in traffic and 10 percent said they always eat too much.

Are you traveling this Thanksgiving holiday? If so, where and how far?

Thanksgiving Travel: Americans Preparing for Busy Holiday Trips was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

More often than not when you stay at a hotel now, during the check-in process you will be asked for a credit card.  The hotel is keeping it on file in order to cover any incidentals you may encounter.  Incidentals include:

• phone calls made from room phone
• drinks and snacks from the room mini-bar
• internet usage
• room service
• room damages

This almost always results in a “hold” on funds available with your card.  If you were hoping to use that card for all trip expenses, you could be in trouble should you be nearing your card limit.  Here are some tips for avoiding the hidden costs on your next trip:

• When making your hotel reservation, find out how much money they place a hold on during check-in.  It probably won’t tell you this on the hotel website or when you call the 800 number to reserve- but feel free to ask customer service and they will tell you.  Knowing how much they’re going to hold will let you know how much extra to bring with you on vacation.
• Instead of using a credit card when you check in, pay with cash.  They will probably try to tell you they need a credit card, but cash is an acceptable form of payment everywhere.  Ask to speak to a manager.  You can pay for the incidental deposit using cash and be billed upon check-out for anything that doesn’t cover.
• Choose a pre-paid credit card.  There is really no way around the incidentals “holding” of funds, so one way to make sure it doesn’t distrupt your trip is to place just enough money on a pre-paid card to pay for that deposit and use other sources of payment for the rest of your trip.  If it takes the hotel a long time to refund the money they “held”, you’re trip won’t be effected because you budgeted to cover these costs and have other methods of payment for the trip.
• Instead of staying in a hotel or resort, you could choose a campground, bed and breakfast, or hostel- these accommodations are not known for placing holds on funds for incidentals.

While there may not be away around the incidentals, if you know they’re there and you’ll likely have to pay for them upfront (and be reimbursed later) at least you can plan for them they will be less likely to ruin your trip!

How to Budget for Hidden Travel Costs was created by and is property of American Consumer News.