Yahoo Finance 9 Travel Fees That Will Cost You the Most in 2024, According to Experts
Whether you’re a regular globetrotter or you enjoy the occasional road trip, there’s just something about traveling that’s hard to resist. There’s just one downside, and that’s those pesky travel fees.
Like so many other things, travel seems to get more expensive every year. If you’re planning a trip this year, here are some of the most expensive travel fees to be on the lookout for.
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Hotel and Airline Service Fees
“Service fees for reservation of airline tickets and hotel rooms through travel agents or websites are becoming more widespread,” said Erika Pacini, a travel expert and head of marketing at Outdoorplay. “These charges vary between $10 and $50 per transaction, which can add up fast if one uses several services.”
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Car Rental Fees
You’ve probably heard of car rental fees, but you might not be prepared for how much those seemingly small fees can add up, especially if you’re a frequent traveler.
“We have seen an increase in car rental fees recently by municipalities, states and airports,” said Mark Mannell, CEO and co-founder of Car Rental Savers. Here are some examples of increasing fees:
$3 per day in Colorado to fund rail improvements.
Orlando International Airport increased their Customer Facility Charge from $3.50 a day to $6 per day at the end of last year.
Denver International Airport increased their CFC from $2.15 to $6 per day this year.
Richmond City Council adds 12.5% tax.
An additional $6 per day fee for car rentals from Cleveland Airport.
“These are just a few examples of ‘tourist taxes’ enacted in the last year,” Mannell said. “These fees are tricky. Rental customers are required to pay them as soon as they become law, although they are not included in their quoted price. We try to notify customers of changes before pickup but there are so many new fees it can be hard to catch them all.”
Car Rental Prices
If you’re thinking about renting a car, be prepared to spend a little more than in previous years — and not only on the smaller local fees.
“Car rental prices are expected to climb due to high demand and a limited supply of vehicles,” said Hollie McKay, VP of communications for Hotel Planner. “This trend started during the pandemic and continues as rental companies face ongoing challenges in replenishing their fleets. For 2024, car rental rates in the U.S. and Canada are expected to rise by approximately 5%.”
Checked Baggage Fees
Airfare continues to become more expensive, but more airlines are charging hefty fees for checked baggage and carry-ons.
“The most egregious fees are the ones that most travelers used to get for free. Most, for example, got checked bags (at least 1) at no extra cost and now many airlines ask you to pay for them, with an extra fee added on based on weight,” said Daniel Green, Co-Founder & CTO at Faye Travel Insurance.
According to McKay, some major airlines — including American Airlines, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines — have increased their checked baggage fees by $5 to $10 per bag. Some airlines also require you to pay to bring a bag into the cabin.
Health and Safety Fees
Another newer cost this year is health and safety fees.
“A few hotels and airlines are being subjected to [these] so as to offset the expenses incurred in boosting sanitation standards,” said Pacini. “Although these amounts may seem insignificant at around $5 to $15, they can gradually build up, especially over the course of a long journey.”
Park Entrance Fees
Whether you’re off to Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon for a few days, be prepared to spend extra money on permit and entry fees as these are increasing, too.
“Many hiking trails and national parks require permits, particularly for overnight visitors and highly traveled routes,” said Pacini. “However, permit charges range between $10 to $35 across all of them. In addition, entrance fees at parks have been increasing, sometimes costing $30 to $35 for each vehicle valid for seven days.”
And if your trip entails camping out at or near those parks, you might need to pay more.
“Popular national parks may have camping charges ranging from $20 to $50 per night while other sites that are secluded or premium could have even higher rates,” said Pacini. “Renting a cabin or lodge might cost you around $100 to $200 per night.”
Food
Grocery prices have increased significantly over the past few years. The average price of food in the U.S. rose by 2.1% from May 2023 to May 2024. While this might not seem like much, it can add up if you’re feeding several people across multiple days while traveling.
And if you’re dining out a lot, don’t forget to factor in increased expectations when it comes to tipping, VAT and overall increased costs. Right now, the expected tipping rate is between 15% and 20% in many parts of the country. Some establishments also suggest tipping more — sometimes up to 25% or 30%.
Hotel Rates
Booking a hotel was never exactly cheap, but it’s definitely gotten more expensive in recent years. Even Airbnbs and other short-term vacation rentals are pricier than before — in large part due to their excessive booking and service fees.
“While the base room rate might seem straightforward, watch out for hidden hotel fees that can add up quickly,” said McKay. “These include resort fees (often for unused amenities), extra person charges, parking fees, early check-in/late check-out premiums and even sneaky mini-bar sensor charges — so be cautious about what you touch!”
Equipment Rental Fees
For the adventurous traveler, equipment rental fees are also increasing.
“Though convenient, renting such things as camping gear, mountain bikes or perhaps kayaks is expensive, too,” said Pacini. “On average, you should expect a daily rate for a quality kayak of about $40 to $60, whereas mountain bike rentals will be within [the] $30 to $50 per day range. Additionally, another $50 to $75 may be required if you include camping gear like sleeping bags and tents over the weekend period.”
Angela Mae contributed to the reporting for this article.
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