Tagged: fees

It's Happening! Airline to Start Charging for Use of Overhead Bins

Are airlines passing the point of no return with the industry's latest extra fee?Today's Rubicon: making customers pay a fee to put their bags in the overhead storage bins. The airline…

U.S. States with No Toll Roads—and the Worst State for Tolls

Since 2008, the U.S. Congress has failed to provide enough funding for the highways it previously authorized. Some states make up the difference through measures like gas taxes, but…

Europe Upgrades Flyer Rights with Free Luggage and More. Sorry, Americans.

After a yearslong process during which opposing interests got together and hammered out a compromise (remember how productive that can be?), the European Parliament has come up with a…

No More Trips to Walgreens? State Department Teases Passport Procedure Update

One of the more annoying requirements to getting a first-time U.S. passport may soon be a thing of the past. During a recent reception at the Department of State, Secretary of State…

What Are You Supposed to Do with Your Spirit Airlines Credit Card Now?

More than a month after the sudden and dramatic collapse of Spirit Airlines—which left thousands of travelers and former Spirit employees scrambling—Free Spirit Travel Mastercard and…

Mexico City Nightclub Announces $300 Cover Charge for U.S. Visitors

A nightclub in Mexico City has announced an eye-opening, budget-busting cover charge for U.S. citizens—and only U.S. citizens. In a provocative Instagram post, the club, which is…

Everybody's Least Favorite U.S. Airline Named Best U.S. Airline in New Ranking

One U.S. carrier sometimes seems less like an airline than a punchline. If you're making a joke about crummy service, outrageous fees, or uncomfortable seats in the skies, it's highly…

Checked Luggage Fees Have Gone Up Again. Here's What You'll Pay, Airline by Airline

The war in Iran has sent jet fuel prices soaring, and you can bet the airlines will pass along as big a share of those costs as possible to the consumer. That means higher airfares…

Traveling to the Caribbean? Don’t Get Scammed Into Paying for This Free Entry Form

It’s not just the sandy jet blasts from ultra low-flying planes above Maho Beach that visitors to the Caribbean island of St. Maarten should keep an eye out for.  Earlier this year the…

The Tourist Tax Is Becoming the Norm in Japan (and Other Places)

Bimyō (微妙) is an essential concept in Japanese culture. An embrace of ambiguity, of subtlety, of nuance, the word explains everyday conversations where nobody says exactly what they…

One of Europe's Most Famous Churches Plans to Charge for Entry. Critics Say That's a Sin

Is it wrong—or at least morally murky—to impose entrance fees for accessing certain spaces?That's a question being debated in Germany following a recent announcement that Cologne…

"The TSA’s New $45 Fee to Fly Without ID is Illegal," Says Regulatory Expert

On Sunday, February 1, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) began charging travelers without REAL ID $45 to fly.This may come as a surprise, but no U.S. law requires you to…

NYC Mayor Bans Hotel Junk Fees, or So Headlines Say. Here's What's Really Going On

The American media has never demonstrated much of an ability to confront junk fees in the travel industry with much strength or clarity. Take the New York Daily News headline from…

How to Save Hundreds on Royal Caribbean's Packages and Excursions

In the 1970s and '80s, cruises became a booming vacation option by offering a more-or-less all-inclusive pricing structure. One fare covers room, board, and access to a roster of…

The True Cost of a “Cheap” Cruise: What Each Major Cruise Line Actually Includes

The cruise deal looks unbeatable: seven nights for $499. Accommodations, meals, entertainment—all set, right? For most travelers, though, that bargain fare is only the opening bid. By…

Rome's Trevi Fountain Now Requires a Ticket and Entrance Fee

As of February 2026, tourists who want to get close to Rome's Trevi Fountain—of La Dolce Vita, coin-tossing, and nightmarish overcrowding fame—will need to buy a ticket. Rome's mayor,…

A Dodgy Travel Hack for Tricking Airport Luggage Scales—and What to Try Instead

When you're trying to keep your luggage under airline weight limits, traveling with gifts around the holidays can be a real hassle—unless, of course, you and your loved ones wisely…

American Airlines Blocks Basic Economy Passengers from Earning Miles

Bad news for budget travelers.The U.S. legacy carriers like to claim they moved to à la carte pricing and stripped-down cabin categories to give travelers more options for customizing…

TSA to Charge Travelers Without REAL ID an Extra Fee to Fly

Showing up at a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint without a REAL ID or passport will cost you an extra fee to get through airport security. Under the new program, set…

The Ways Our Changing Climate is Pushing Up Prices of Travel

AirfaresThere are several factors at play. From 2027, airlines in 126 member states will be required offset growth in carbon dioxide emissions. Some airlines are getting in there…

Why You Shouldn't Trust Uber's Price Quotes for Taxis

We've catalogued a lot of shady practices by Uber, the ride app. We've warned about how Uber pre-selects a payment method that costs you more money.We've warned you that Uber hides…

New Trend: Hotels Are Charging Much More for the Fees You Don't Ask About

One of the benefits of writing a published guidebook for the same destination year after year, as many Frommer's writers do, is that the constant observation of a place makes it much…

6 Ways Travel Is About to Get More Expensive—And Why

Hotel ratesAccording to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), hotel rates are expected to increase globally by 4% over the next few years.This is partly due to demand…

A Major Airline Now Serves Free Wine and Beer on Every Flight—Even in Economy

One of North America's biggest airlines announced in a press release this week that it's now serving free wine and beer to customers on all flights, even in economy class. That…

These Airlines Make More Money from Extra Fees Than Ticket Sales

Airlines raked in more money in extra fees last year than ever before—a whopping $148 billion, according to new research from IdeaWorksCompany, an aviation consultancy. The previous…