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SALT LAKE CITY -- If you're flying anywhere this summer, be prepared for some sticker shock.
Another new surcharge by some airlines means the price you end up paying will be a lot higher than what you first see at the beginning of the booking process.
The first checked bag, second, third, overweight bags, oversize bags, and Spirit Airlines says even carry-on bags, come with a charge.
Then there are fees for canceling or re-booking a flight. If you talk to a live person - you could pay extra.
Want an aisle seat or a window seat? That may cost you. Flying with a pet or sending a child flying alone? Another fee. Food, blankets, pillows all can cost extra.
But now, airlines have a surcharge for traveling "peak travel days this summer" -- which are nearly every day.
Rick Seaney, CEO of farecompare.com, says, "Anywhere from $10 to $30 each way. These are charges that they're putting along with the air fare. You see them in your quote. And it's allowing the airlines to basically raise prices for the summer."
"We're already seeing prices anywhere from 15 to 20 percent higher if you include these fuel charges for summer compared to last year's decade lows," he says.
Peak travel surcharges first came from American Airlines last fall for holiday days in November and January. But then other airlines copied American and the number of travel days with them grew.
"The most expensive day is Sunday throughout the summer with a $30 surcharge. The least expensive days are Tuesday and Wednesday. So, even if you take half your trip on a Tuesday or Wednesday, you can save some money," Seaney says.
But he says don't worry; it's only the big airlines.
"Big legacy airlines are the only ones instituting these charges. There are only five legacy airlines - American, Continental, Delta, United and US Airways," he explains.
Southwest and JetBlue have no surcharges on any flights.
One interesting note—there are no surcharges for July 4. That's usually one of the summer's least-busy travel days.
E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com
