![How to avoid booking fees (1) How to avoid booking fees (1)](https://i0.wp.com/www.smartertravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/People-LaptopKeyboard.jpg)
Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.
By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Airfare is expensive enough these days without paying extra booking fees that can be easily avoided. If you’re willing to do a little more legwork on your own and work exclusively online, here are two simple ways to save a few dollars.
- Take an extra step in the booking process. Because online travel agencies have access to fares from many airlines, they can be great tools to use when researching. But, as with any helpful service, there’s a cost for that breadth and convenience. Agencies including Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz, and CheapTickets all charge booking fees for airfare, which range from $2.99 to $12.99. Keep these fees in mind when comparing agency fares to those from the airlines themselves.
- Always book online. Airlines and online travel agencies alike charge extra fees for booking via telephone or in person at the airport. Most airlines (with the exception of Southwest) charge between $5 and $20 for reservations over the phone or at an airport. Orbitz, Travelocity, and CheapTickets all charge $25, but Expedia and Hotwire don’t charge an extra fee for booking over the phone. Unless you really need hand-holding, stick with the Internet for your airfare purchases.
Have a great travel tip you’d like to share? Send your insider travel strategies to editor@smartertravel.com.
(Editor’s Note: SmarterTravel.com is a member of the TripAdvisor Media Network, an operating company of Expedia, Inc. Expedia, Inc. also owns Expedia.com.)
Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.
By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Top Fares From
See Deal
Airfare$See Deal
Airfare$See Deal
Airfare$See Deal
Airfare$Don't see a fare you like? View all flight deals from your city.
Today's Top Travel Deals
Brought to you by ShermansTravel
Ohio: Daily Car Rentals from Cincinnati
85OFF.com
![How to avoid booking fees (6) How to avoid booking fees (6)](https://i0.wp.com/d2619hvqn7b355.cloudfront.net/uploads/default_image/image/121/main_rental_car.jpeg)
Shop and Save with Country Inns...
Patricia Magaña
![How to avoid booking fees (7) How to avoid booking fees (7)](https://i0.wp.com/www.smartertravel.com/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/doc-root/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Louisiana-New-Orleans-Bourbon-Street-Horse-Railing-Hero-1024x323.jpg.webp)
$229 -- Chicago: Discounted Rates and...
Francesca Miele
![How to avoid booking fees (8) How to avoid booking fees (8)](https://i0.wp.com/www.smartertravel.com/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/doc-root/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Untitled-design-1-1-1024x576.png.webp)