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The Real Cost of Flying - SmarterTravel.Com's Airline Survival Guide Prepares Travelers for Any Scenario

Posted on: Thursday, 24 July 2008, 09:00 CDT

BOSTON, July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Booking a flight is no longer a straightforward process; to help travelers make sense of the extra costs, SmarterTravel.com(TM), a comprehensive online travel resource, has reviewed each airline's policies and put together the "Airline Fees Survival Guide."

"Purchasing airfare is no longer as simple as putting in a destination and dates and then selecting the lowest price available online. Airline fees can really add up, making the discount tickets seem more like first class," said Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel.com. "Travelers need to be aware of how much each fee can tack on to already expensive tickets, and we wanted to go the extra mile to show the best strategies for saving travelers a few dollars."

SmarterTravel(R) reviewed several flight scenarios and compared ticket prices with the additional airline fees. Given all the factors that could affect travelers, SmarterTravel recommends the following strategies:

-- Book Non-stop. Connecting flights do not always mean cheaper flights -- they can end up costing more because taxes include Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs) for each airport in the itinerary.

-- Avoid Paying for Seat Assignments. The nominal fee may not be unseemly for one traveler, but multiplied by a family of four each way, and it's the airline that made out, not the travelers.

-- Determine Overall Prices vs. Checked Bag Fees. Some airlines publish significantly lower rates than the competition; however, the total number of fees they levy may add significantly to the overall trip. Add it all up before confirming the purchase.

-- Be a Defensive Packer. Packing light goes without saying, but travelers can also pack smart by including an empty water bottle in your carryon, packing clothes for multiple purposes and including snacks and entertainment -- all helping to avoid airline fees and additional charges.

To ensure the best deal, SmarterTravel has put together a chart of all associated airline fees at http://www.smartertravel.com/link/airline-fees-chart. For the complete "Airline Fees Survival Guide," visit http://www.smartertravel.com/link/airlinesurvival.

If you would like to repurpose SmarterTravel's airline fees chart, please contact Mel Bolton at 510-704-0870.

About Smarter Travel Media LLC

Smarter Travel Media LLC operates the airfarewatchdog.com(TM), bookingbuddy.com(TM) and SmarterTravel.com(TM) sites, including sites in the UK and India. SmarterTravel.com is the most comprehensive travel resource site available, offering consumers up-to-date expert advice and information for their every travel need. Created by an unbiased team of dedicated journalists, the site's goal is to help travelers better manage every aspect of their travel experience by making researched, informed decisions. For more information and travel advice, visit http://www.smartertravel.com/

Airfarewatchdog, BookingBuddy and SmarterTravel are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Smarter Travel Media LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.

Smarter Travel Media LLC. All rights reserved.

Smarter Travel Media LLC

CONTACT: Mel Bolton of Dotted Line Communications, +1-510-704-0870,mel@dottedlinecomm.com, for Smarter Travel Media LLC

Web site: http://www.smartertravel.com/http://www.smartertravel.com/link/airline-fees-charthttp://www.smartertravel.com/link/airlinesurvivalhttp://www.airfarewatchdog.com/http://www.bookingbuddy.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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