The Infamous ‘Convenience’ Fee
This is perhaps the most frustrating charge of all. After you’ve selected your flights and are ready to pay, a ‘convenience fee’ or ‘service charge’ often appears. This is a fee charged by the booking platform (and sometimes the airline itself) for the service of processing
your ticket online. It is not a government tax and can vary widely. To minimise this, compare the final checkout price across two or three different booking websites. Sometimes, booking directly on the airline’s own website can be cheaper. Also, some payment methods, like UPI and net-banking, may incur lower fees than credit cards.
The Price of a Good Seat
Gone are the days when you could choose your seat for free. Today, most airlines have ‘unbundled’ their services, meaning you pay for your seat separately from the flight itself. This is called a seat selection fee, and airlines charge a premium for window seats, aisle seats, and especially those with extra legroom in the front or at emergency exits. If you are travelling on a tight budget, the best way to avoid this fee is to skip seat selection during booking. The airline will automatically assign you a seat during check-in, usually 24-48 hours before the flight. It might be a middle seat, but it will be free.
The Baggage Burden
Baggage fees are a significant source of revenue for airlines. The base fare on many budget carriers often includes only a small personal item or cabin bag. Checked baggage costs extra, and the fees can be substantial, especially if you pay them at the airport. Even excess cabin baggage can attract hefty charges at the boarding gate. The key is to read the baggage allowance carefully before you book. If you know you need to check in a suitcase, it is almost always cheaper to pre-purchase the baggage allowance online during your booking rather than paying at the airport counter. For short festive trips, try to pack light and stick to the free cabin baggage allowance.
Pre-Selected Add-Ons
Many booking websites use a sneaky trick: they preselect optional addons like travel insurance, inflight meals, or SMS notifications. These items are automatically added to your cart, and if you are not paying close attention to the price breakdown, you can easily end up paying for services you neither wanted nor needed. Before you click ‘pay’, always review every line item in your bill. Manually uncheck any boxes for services you did not consciously choose. While travel insurance can be valuable, it should be an active choice, not a default setting you failed to notice.
Dynamic Pricing and Festive Surges
While not a ‘hidden fee’ in the traditional sense, dynamic pricing is a major factor in last - minute festive bookings. Airlines use complex algorithms that increase fares as demand rises and the departure date gets closer. Prices for popular routes during Diwali, Christmas, or other holidays can skyrocket. While true last - minute deals are rare during peak season, you can sometimes find relatively cheaper fares by being flexible. Flying mid - week (Tuesday or Wednesday) is often cheaper than on weekends. Similarly, very early morning or late - night flights tend to have lower demand and thus, lower prices.
Cancellation and Amendment Traps
Last - minute plans can change. However, changing or cancelling a flight ticket can be an expensive affair. Airlines charge significant amendment or cancellation fees. Under recent DGCA regulations, these charges cannot exceed the sum of the base fare and fuel surcharge. To offer some protection, regulations now provide a 48 - hour 'look - in' window after booking, during which you can cancel or amend a ticket without charge, provided the flight is at least seven days away for domestic travel. Always check the cancellation policy before you confirm your booking, especially if your plans are not yet firm.
