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  4. I prefer to fly low-cost carriers like Spirit and Frontier over major airlines - here's how I avoid the extra fees for tickets, luggage, and food

I prefer to fly low-cost carriers like Spirit and Frontier over major airlines - here's how I avoid the extra fees for tickets, luggage, and food

Taylor Rains   

I prefer to fly low-cost carriers like Spirit and Frontier over major airlines - here's how I avoid the extra fees for tickets, luggage, and food
Spirit Airlines A320 at Boston airportTaylor Rains/Insider
  • Low-cost carriers offer an a-la-carte business model that charges for extra amenities like luggage and seats.
  • The surprise fees can frustrate passengers, but knowing what to expect can help avoid last-minute expenses.

Budget carriers like Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant have made flying affordable for many travelers, though the low-cost business strategy can throw passengers for a loop if they are unprepared.

Budget carriers like Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant have made flying affordable for many travelers, though the low-cost business strategy can throw passengers for a loop if they are unprepared.
Frontier Airlines Airbus A321      Carlos Yudica/Shutterstock.com

Part of the reason why flying on a budget airline is so cheap is because the carriers unbundle the fares, meaning when a customer buys a ticket, all they get is a random seat and a small personal item like a backpack or briefcase. Anything more, like a carry-on, checked bag, reserved seat, snack, or priority boarding costs extra.

Part of the reason why flying on a budget airline is so cheap is because the carriers unbundle the fares, meaning when a customer buys a ticket, all they get is a random seat and a small personal item like a backpack or briefcase. Anything more, like a carry-on, checked bag, reserved seat, snack, or priority boarding costs extra.
Spirit Airlines bundles      Spirit Airlines

Despite these carriers telling customers the add-on amenities will cost extra during the booking and check-in process, many travelers still show up at the airport with more than they paid for, causing last-minute stress and an expensive day of travel.

Despite these carriers telling customers the add-on amenities will cost extra during the booking and check-in process, many travelers still show up at the airport with more than they paid for, causing last-minute stress and an expensive day of travel.
Allegiant Air aircraft      Markus Mainka/Shutterstock

To avoid any surprises, it is helpful to understand the potential fees and learn how to dodge them, even if it means sacrificing a bit of comfort and convenience.

To avoid any surprises, it is helpful to understand the potential fees and learn how to dodge them, even if it means sacrificing a bit of comfort and convenience.
Spirit Airlines aircraft      Thiago B Trevisan/Shutterstock

Personally, I prefer flying low-cost carriers because, as opposed to popular belief, it is frequently cheaper to fly a-la-carte where I can pick and choose what I need for a particular flight versus flying on a mainline carrier.

Personally, I prefer flying low-cost carriers because, as opposed to popular belief, it is frequently cheaper to fly a-la-carte where I can pick and choose what I need for a particular flight versus flying on a mainline carrier.
Frontier Airlines gate      Thomas Pallini/Insider

For example, I flew six hours on Spirit from Boston to Las Vegas for a short weekend trip, and I chose to only add a seat to ensure I would not get stuck in the middle seat on the long flight, but I did not pay for a carry on or checked bag because I didn't need it.

For example, I flew six hours on Spirit from Boston to Las Vegas for a short weekend trip, and I chose to only add a seat to ensure I would not get stuck in the middle seat on the long flight, but I did not pay for a carry on or checked bag because I didn
Spirit Airlines A320 at Boston airport      Taylor Rains/Insider

As a frequent flyer on low-cost carriers, I have learned the ins and outs of ensuring I am paying the least amount of money possible for the service, which includes knowing exactly how to avoid certain fees.

As a frequent flyer on low-cost carriers, I have learned the ins and outs of ensuring I am paying the least amount of money possible for the service, which includes knowing exactly how to avoid certain fees.
Frontier Airlines kiosk      Thomas Pallini/Insider

First and foremost, what many people do not know is that purchasing airfare at the airport ticket counter can save customers up to $46 roundtrip per ticket.

First and foremost, what many people do not know is that purchasing airfare at the airport ticket counter can save customers up to $46 roundtrip per ticket.
Spirit Airlines counter at Boston airport      Taylor Rains/Insider

This is because low-cost carriers tack on a "passenger handling fee" for online bookings, but it is waived for customers who buy in person at the airport.

This is because low-cost carriers tack on a "passenger handling fee" for online bookings, but it is waived for customers who buy in person at the airport.
Spirit Airlines ticket bought at the airport      Taylor Rains/Insider

Three carriers impose these additional fees, including Spirit that charges up to $22.99 each way...

Three carriers impose these additional fees, including Spirit that charges up to $22.99 each way...
Spirit Airlines passenger usage fee      Taylor Rains/Insider

Frontier, which charges up to $23 each way...

Frontier, which charges up to $23 each way...
Frontier Airlines carrier interface charge      Taylor Rains/Insider

And Allegiant which charges up to $18 each way.

And Allegiant which charges up to $18 each way.
Allegiant Air carrier usage charge      Taylor Rains/Insider

It is important to understand that tickets can be bought at the airport ticket counter for flights on Frontier, Spirit, and Allegiant only - it does not work on other carriers.

It is important to understand that tickets can be bought at the airport ticket counter for flights on Frontier, Spirit, and Allegiant only - it does not work on other carriers.
Frontier Airlines ticket counter      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Spirit and Frontier tickets are available for purchase most times of the day, though Allegiant has specific windows of availability which can be found on the carrier's website.

Spirit and Frontier tickets are available for purchase most times of the day, though Allegiant has specific windows of availability which can be found on the carrier
Allegiant Air counter      Joni Hanebutt/Shutterstock

Source: Allegiant

Moreover, Allegiant also offers special discounts for roundtrip fares purchased on its website, but they do not apply to tickets bought in person.

Moreover, Allegiant also offers special discounts for roundtrip fares purchased on its website, but they do not apply to tickets bought in person.
Allegiant Air aircraft      Daniel J. Macy/Shutterstock

Another way to avoid surprise fees is by buying carry-on and checked luggage online before arriving at the airport. Paying bag charges at the airport can run passengers an extra $100 per bag depending on the carrier, versus $30-$75 it costs when purchasing in advance.

Another way to avoid surprise fees is by buying carry-on and checked luggage online before arriving at the airport. Paying bag charges at the airport can run passengers an extra $100 per bag depending on the carrier, versus $30-$75 it costs when purchasing in advance.
Spirit Airlines bag size checker      EQRoy/Shutterstock

Customers should also pay attention to the weight and size of their luggage. All three airlines have strict dimensions for personal items, carry-on bags, and checked luggage, and airline employees are required to enforce them.

Customers should also pay attention to the weight and size of their luggage. All three airlines have strict dimensions for personal items, carry-on bags, and checked luggage, and airline employees are required to enforce them.
Spirit Airlines bag size checker      Taylor Rains/Insider

Spirit personal items can be no bigger than 18 x 14 x 8 inches and carry-ons must be 22 x 18 x 10 inches or smaller including wheels and handles.

Spirit personal items can be no bigger than 18 x 14 x 8 inches and carry-ons must be 22 x 18 x 10 inches or smaller including wheels and handles.
Spirit Airlines bag check      Eric Glenn/Shutterstock

Frontier has the same dimensions for personal items as Spirit, though its carry-ons can be up to 24 x 16 x 10 inches, which is a little larger than Spirit's allowance.

Frontier has the same dimensions for personal items as Spirit, though its carry-ons can be up to 24 x 16 x 10 inches, which is a little larger than Spirit
Frontier Airlines bag check      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Allegiant's personal item and carry-on size allowance are the smallest of the three carriers at only 7 x 15 x 16 inches and 9 x 14 x 22 inches, respectively.

Allegiant
Allegiant Air bag restrictions      Allegiant Air

Source: Allegiant

Because of the strict restrictions, passengers need to ensure they measure their bags before heading to the airport or measure them in the dedicated bag size checkers at the ticket counter or gate.

Because of the strict restrictions, passengers need to ensure they measure their bags before heading to the airport or measure them in the dedicated bag size checkers at the ticket counter or gate.
Spirit Airlines bag size checker      Taylor Rains/Insider

Passengers need to be particularly mindful of the weight of their checked luggage on low-cost carriers. Spirit and Allegiant's maximum weight allowance for checked bags is only 40 pounds, which is less than the 50 pounds allowed on mainline carriers and Frontier.

Passengers need to be particularly mindful of the weight of their checked luggage on low-cost carriers. Spirit and Allegiant
Spirit Airlines kiosks      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Showing up at the airport with an overnight bag will run the customer anywhere from $30 to $100 extra depending on the weight and carrier.

Showing up at the airport with an overnight bag will run the customer anywhere from $30 to $100 extra depending on the weight and carrier.
Frontier Airlines check in      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Moreover, showing up with an oversized bag can cost up to $150 extra. Spirit and Frontier have a strict 62 inches total dimension for checked bags, while Allegiant offers a more flexible 80 inches.

Moreover, showing up with an oversized bag can cost up to $150 extra. Spirit and Frontier have a strict 62 inches total dimension for checked bags, while Allegiant offers a more flexible 80 inches.
Checked luggage      Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Low-cost carriers are no-frills, meaning they offer nothing onboard, not even water in most cases, so customers should plan on bringing their own drinks and snacks. Buying onboard will cost anywhere from $3-$35 depending on the package.

Low-cost carriers are no-frills, meaning they offer nothing onboard, not even water in most cases, so customers should plan on bringing their own drinks and snacks. Buying onboard will cost anywhere from $3-$35 depending on the package.
Inflight snacks and drinks cost extra      Thomas Pallini/Insider

If you're like me and do not care about where you sit on most flights, then you should be okay with the random seat assigned by the airline at check-in. However, if you want to ensure you are not in the middle seat, you should buy your seat in advance, which can cost anywhere from $5 to $80.

If you
Allegiant Air aircraft      Joni Hanebutt/Shutterstock

Reserving a seat as far in advance as possible is recommended because the closer the departure date is, the fewer options there will be. This means you may have to pay more for a window or aisle seat in the exit row or towards the front of the plane because the cheaper ones towards the back are already taken.

Reserving a seat as far in advance as possible is recommended because the closer the departure date is, the fewer options there will be. This means you may have to pay more for a window or aisle seat in the exit row or towards the front of the plane because the cheaper ones towards the back are already taken.
Frontier Airlines seats      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Checking in online or at the self-serve kiosks at the airport is also imperative for saving money. Spirit charges customers who check-in at the ticket counter $10 per boarding pass, so avoid this by using the airline's mobile app to check-in in advance.

Checking in online or at the self-serve kiosks at the airport is also imperative for saving money. Spirit charges customers who check-in at the ticket counter $10 per boarding pass, so avoid this by using the airline
Spirit Airlines passengers during the pandemic      PATRICK T. FALLON/Getty Images

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