Sometimes the most expensive part of traveling is the fees. Baggage, changing, or even seat selection can rack up the original price, so how do you conquer your fees? Read below to find out!

Bring your essentials without incurring an extra fee.

Baggage Phobia

Perhaps the biggest culprit, baggage fees are those wild and crazy add-ons that can range from a manageable $25 one way to a whopping $100 each way. If you check a bag, bam! Fee added, but don’t get bamboozled. You can avoid these with one easy step. RESEARCH! Not all airlines have a fee for the first or second checked bag. Prices might be higher when booking initially but may prove cheaper in the long run.

Avoid fees by becoming an airline credit card holder.

Another way to avoid baggage fees is by becoming an airline credit cardholder. Most airlines now have teamed with VISA or American Express to bring great perks to their flyers. By becoming a cardholder, you will be eligible for not only a free checked bag but also other awesome perks, like early boarding or access to the airline lounges. Sure, there might be a yearly fee, but a few flights usually supplement that amount. And the best part of being a cardholder? You’ll earn points/miles with every purchase and extra miles when using your card to book flights.

Of course, for quick trips, you can always carry-on your baggage, but for family jaunts and longer trips, that might not be an option.

Expect the Unexpected (Fees)

Know when to rebook to avoid fees.

Though less frequent, the rebook fee can become your mortal enemy. For cheaper flights, rebook fees may actually cost more than the initial investment! In this case, knowledge is your BFF (Best Friend Forever). Within the first 24 to 46 hours of booking, you can cancel a flight without incurring a fee. If you book at 1:00 A.M. one morning, you have until 11:59 P.M. the following night to cancel. Also, rebooking fees vary by airline, so you might want to choose one that has a lower fee. Many range from as low as $50 to as high as $200 per ticket, so depending on your budget and cancellation history, choose the airline/flight that best suits your needs.

Window or Aisle?

Seat selection is the newest fad when flying. Flyers don’t just choose between first class and coach. Now there’s even a coach-plus section with extra legroom and earlier boarding than coach. These seats cost more than coach and less than first class, obviously, and unless they are a necessity (traveling with crutches or a wheelchair and can’t endure something pressing their chair into your knees for a few hours?), the best way to avoid these fees is not to choose these seats.

Economy Class, though not the most comfortable seat, is the cheapest.

Travel with Fewer Worries

Travel insurance is imperative for most trips.

Read before clicking that final “yes” or “no” for travel insurance when booking any trip. While travel insurance can save you from those devastating rebooking fees, most policies do not cover preexisting conditions, and some do not cover layoffs under certain conditions. This is where a travel agent is imperative to planning. By explaining all your concerns to an agent, he/she can help you choose the best policy for you.