If you’re planning to travel during a peak time of the year, like Christmas or Labor Day, you might have to cough up a little extra for airline fees.
A report out from the consulting firm IdeaWorks Co. predicts that airlines will start hiking up ancillary fees on things like carry-on bags during the most heavily-traveled times of the year. The report forecasts that the airline industry worldwide will generate $50 billion from ancillary fees.
Spirit Airlines, based in Florida, has already started doing just this. They are charging an extra $2 for checked bags on flights between December 18th and January 5th. Their website says that the reason for the fee hike is to encourage customers to pack lighter so that there’s room for more bags.
Over the course of the next two years, the report says that other airlines will also start hiking up fees during peak travel times on things like early boarding, checked luggage, and seat upgrades.
Guest:
Mark Murphy, owner of Travel Pulse, an online resource for the travel industry