How to Avoid Airline Fees in 2025: Smart Hacks for Budget Travellers
Airline tickets have never been more deceptive. You spot a flight for £29 / €33 / $37, feel like you’ve just won the travel lottery, and then by the time you’ve added a bag, chosen a seat, and dared to pay by card — you’re suddenly staring at triple the price.
In 2025, the art of flying cheap isn’t about finding the lowest fare anymore — it’s about dodging the hidden extras that creep in after you’ve clicked “book.” From luggage to snacks, the industry’s unbundled pricing model means almost every part of your journey is now an upsell. But the good news? With a few smart tricks and insider tips, you can keep your flight genuinely affordable and avoid being stung at the check-in desk.
In this guide, we’ll break down the most common airline fees — and show you how to beat them without sacrificing comfort or convenience.
Understanding Airline Fees
Once upon a time, the price of your ticket covered everything: your seat, luggage, a meal, and maybe even a small glass of wine. But as competition and low-cost carriers reshaped the travel industry, airlines began breaking tickets into smaller parts — known as unbundled pricing.
Now, that £29 / €33 / $37 fare often only covers the seat itself. Everything else — your suitcase, seat choice, food, even printing your boarding pass at the airport — comes at an extra cost. It’s how airlines keep headline fares low while still making a healthy profit.
These add-ons fall into two main categories: optional fees, which you can choose to skip (like priority boarding or Wi-Fi), and avoidable fees, which you can sidestep entirely with a bit of planning (like baggage or seat selection). Understanding which is which is the first step to saving.
Budget airlines such as Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Frontier pioneered this model, but now even legacy carriers like British Airways, Lufthansa, and United have adopted “basic economy” fares stripped of perks. It’s not necessarily bad — it gives you flexibility to pay only for what you use — but only if you know how to navigate the fine print.
Next time you book, don’t just look at the headline fare. Compare the real cost, including luggage and extras, before you click purchase.
Baggage Fees
Baggage is where most travellers get caught out. Airlines love to advertise rock-bottom fares, knowing full well that almost everyone travels with at least one bag. Understanding how luggage policies work — and how to bend them in your favour — can save you more than the cost of a night’s accommodation.
Carry-on vs Checked
Every airline has its own definition of “hand luggage.” Some allow a full-sized cabin bag plus a personal item, while others restrict you to a small backpack that must fit under the seat in front. Ryanair and Wizz Air, for example, only include a small under-seat bag in their cheapest fares — upgrading to a larger cabin bag or priority boarding can cost anywhere from £15–£40 / €17–€46 / $19–$51 each way.
Checked baggage, meanwhile, can add anywhere from £20–£60 / €23–€69 / $25–$77 per flight, depending on route and timing. The trick is to compare the total fare — not just the base ticket price. Sometimes, it’s cheaper to book a fare that includes a checked bag than to add one later.
Hacks to Avoid Baggage Fees
Pack smart — Choose lightweight, multi-use clothing and wear your bulkiest items on the plane.
Use a collapsible bag — If your airline limits cabin baggage, pack a foldable duffel inside your main bag to use on the return journey or for souvenirs.
Pool luggage — Travelling with someone? Combine heavier items into one checked bag instead of paying for two.
Invest in a digital luggage scale — Overweight fees can be brutal, and knowing your bag’s weight beforehand can save up to £100 / €115 / $128 at the airport.
Join loyalty schemes — Many airlines waive baggage fees for frequent flyers or co-branded credit card holders.
Book directly — Some airlines include a free checked bag when you book through their website rather than a third-party site.
Small changes add up quickly. Avoiding just one checked bag round trip could save you enough for an extra night out or a memorable meal at your destination.
Seat Selection Fees
Once a simple part of booking a flight, choosing your seat has become yet another revenue stream. Airlines now charge anywhere from £5–£50 / €6–€57 / $6–$64 just to guarantee your preferred spot — whether that’s an aisle, a window, or a seat together with your travel companion.
The logic is simple: people value comfort and certainty, and airlines know it. But here’s the catch — seat maps are designed to look more limited than they are. The goal is to make you panic into paying early. Wait until check-in opens (usually 24–48 hours before departure) and suddenly, dozens of “unavailable” seats often reappear for free.
How to Sit Together for Free
Check in early — Logging in the moment online check-in opens gives you the best shot at sitting together without paying.
Avoid mobile app panic — Some airlines’ mobile check-in systems push paid upgrades harder than desktop ones — try both.
Family seat rules — In the UK and EU, airlines must make reasonable efforts to seat children under 12 with at least one accompanying adult without extra cost.
Skip the middle seat fear — On less busy routes, leaving seats unselected can actually land you better spots once the system auto-assigns.
Join loyalty schemes — Frequent flyer status often includes free seat selection — even on basic fares.
The only times paying might make sense are for long-haul flights or when legroom really matters — think exit rows or bulkhead seats. Otherwise, the “random seat” gamble usually pays off.
Payment, Booking, and Check-in Fees
You’ve chosen your flight, packed light, and skipped the seat selection… only to find another sneaky surcharge waiting at checkout. From “administration” to “service” fees, airlines have a knack for tacking on small extras that add up fast.
Payment Fees
While most major carriers have phased out card surcharges, some low-cost airlines still sneak them in — usually around 1–2% of the fare total. Always double-check which payment methods are fee-free. Sometimes using PayPal, Apple Pay, or a debit card instead of credit can save a few pounds.
Booking Fees
These are common on third-party sites like eDreams or Kiwi, which often charge hidden service fees on top of the airline’s fare. Booking directly with the airline is almost always cheaper and makes changes or cancellations easier to manage.
Check-in Fees
This one’s a classic. Budget airlines such as Ryanair charge up to £55 / €63 / $70 per person if you arrive at the airport without checking in online or printing your boarding pass. Always check in as soon as it opens (typically 24–48 hours before departure) and download your boarding pass to your phone and a backup email — just in case.
Hacks to Avoid These Fees
Book directly on the airline’s website whenever possible.
Double-check your booking confirmation for extra admin charges before clicking “Pay.”
Always use online check-in and keep both a digital and printed boarding pass.
Use a no-foreign-transaction-fee card for international bookings to dodge currency conversion markups.
A few minutes of prep can save you £30–£70 / €34–€80 / $38–$90 — enough for a proper meal instead of an overpriced in-flight sandwich.
In-Flight Extras
Once you’re on board, the fees don’t stop. Budget airlines in particular have mastered the art of the “optional” purchase — from drinks and snacks to Wi-Fi and entertainment — but even full-service carriers are cutting back on what’s complimentary. Knowing what’s worth paying for (and what’s better brought from home) can save both cash and frustration.
Food and Drink
On short-haul flights, in-flight meals rarely justify their price. A basic sandwich and drink can cost £10–£15 / €11–€17 / $12–$19 — often more than a full meal at your destination. Bring your own snacks through security (just no liquids over 100ml) or grab something decent airside before boarding. Refillable water bottles are also a must; most airports now have refill stations past security.
Wi-Fi and Entertainment
Wi-Fi is still notoriously patchy on planes, and speeds rarely justify the price tag — often £5–£20 / €6–€23 / $6–$26 for a few hours of browsing. Instead, download playlists, podcasts, and films before take-off. For longer flights, invest in noise-cancelling headphones and a portable charger — they’ll make far more difference to your comfort.
Priority Boarding
Unless you’re travelling with a large carry-on and risk running out of overhead bin space, skip it. Boarding first only means sitting in a cramped seat for longer. The only real perk is guaranteed space for your bag — which you can usually secure by getting to the gate early instead.
Hacks to Cut In-Flight Costs
Bring your own food, snacks, and water bottle.
Download entertainment ahead of time.
Carry a lightweight travel pillow or hoodie instead of renting blankets onboard.
Skip the “bundle deals” — they rarely save money unless you’d use every included perk.
A bit of planning goes a long way — and means your first meal abroad is a local dish, not a lukewarm sandwich at 30,000 feet.
Loyalty Schemes and Credit Cards
While budget airlines rely on fees, savvy travellers know how to use the system to their advantage. Frequent flyer programmes and co-branded travel credit cards can unlock perks that cut your costs dramatically — if you use them smartly.
Airline Loyalty Programmes
Almost every major airline runs a free loyalty scheme. You earn miles or points every time you fly, which can later be redeemed for upgrades, free flights, or extra baggage. But even beyond points, there are hidden advantages:
Free seat selection and priority boarding for mid-tier members.
Complimentary checked baggage once you reach elite status.
Access to partner airlines through alliances such as oneworld, Star Alliance, or SkyTeam.
Even if you’re not flying regularly, signing up takes minutes and can pay off faster than you think. Many airlines now partner with hotels, car rentals, and even online retailers — so you can earn miles on everyday spending.
Credit Cards and Fee Perks
Travel-focused credit cards can help offset common fees. Some offer an annual allowance of free checked bags, seat upgrades, or airport lounge access — perks that can easily outweigh the card’s yearly fee if you travel often.
Just be selective. Compare cards based on your preferred airline and how you actually travel. For example, the British Airways American Express and Virgin Atlantic Reward+ cards are popular in the UK, while Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture Rewards are strong options in the US.
And a pro tip: always pay balances off in full. Interest charges will wipe out any savings from points or perks faster than you can say “boarding pass.”
Hacks for Maximising Loyalty
Always include your frequent flyer number when booking, even on partner airlines.
Stack rewards — use a travel credit card and book through an airline portal for double points.
Redeem miles for expensive routes where the value per point is highest.
Used wisely, these programmes can turn the system on its head — giving you free luggage, better seats, and cheaper flights while everyone else pays extra.
Smart Booking Tips
Even before you start thinking about luggage or seats, the way you book your flight can make or break your savings. Airlines use clever pricing algorithms designed to squeeze the most out of travellers, but there are plenty of ways to stay one step ahead.
Compare Real Prices, Not Headlines
When browsing, don’t just look at the initial fare — click through to the final payment screen to see the full price, including baggage, seat selection, and taxes. Tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kiwi let you filter by “carry-on only” or “checked baggage included,” so you’re comparing like-for-like.
Book at the Right Time
There’s no perfect formula, but studies suggest the sweet spot is 6–8 weeks before departure for short-haul and 2–4 months for long-haul. Midweek flights (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) are often cheaper, and flying early in the morning or late at night can also save money.
Use Fare Alerts and Flexible Dates
Sign up for alerts from apps like Hopper, Kayak, or Skyscanner — they’ll track fares and tell you when to buy. If you can be flexible by a few days, you can save up to 30% simply by shifting your travel dates.
Search in Incognito Mode
Airline websites sometimes use cookies to nudge prices higher when they detect repeat searches. Using incognito mode or clearing your cookies helps keep fares honest.
Bundle Smartly
Package deals can look tempting, but only book flight-hotel bundles when you’ve checked both prices separately. Airlines often inflate “savings” with flexible pricing tricks.
Extra Booking Tips
Use a VPN to check fares in different currencies — sometimes cheaper in the airline’s home country.
Avoid “basic economy” fares on long-haul flights unless you’re genuinely packing light.
If you’re travelling frequently, consider joining a fare club like easyJet Plus or Wizz Discount Club — they can pay for themselves after a few trips.
Getting smart about booking doesn’t just save money — it gives you control, turning a maze of hidden costs into a simple, predictable travel experience.
“Airline fees aren’t going anywhere — if anything, they’re multiplying. But that doesn’t mean you have to get caught out every time you fly. The trick is understanding how the system works and planning a few steps ahead.
Travel costs have become less about the ticket itself and more about the choices you make after you click “book.” Pack light, check in online, skip the seat panic, and take advantage of loyalty programmes where you can. None of it’s glamorous, but together these habits add up — saving you hundreds each year and turning budget travel back into what it was meant to be: freedom, not frustration.
So next time you see that £29 / €33 / $37 fare, don’t roll your eyes — smile. Because now you know the game, and you’re playing to win.”
