Upon learning that my favorite comedian was set to perform nearby, I was eager to secure tickets. The price for each seat in my desired section was $84, which felt slightly steep, but it seemed reasonable for a comedian who never fails to entertain. However, by the time I accounted for the service charge, taxes, and a fee for receiving the tickets via email, the total for two tickets exceeded $200.
Anyone who recently purchased tickets to a live show, sporting event, or comedy act will likely recognize this scenario. Unforeseen fees can inflate the cost of a ticket, often catching you off guard until you’re ready to check out. By then, your excitement for the event makes it hard to back out due to unexpected charges.
Ticket purchases, however, aren’t the sole instances where hidden fees can surface. Here’s what you need to know about surprise extra charges on everyday purchases, along with ways to anticipate or contest them.
Events
The landscape of buying tickets has transformed dramatically over the years. In my high school days, I had to physically go to a box office or local retailer to get tickets for events. I even waited in line overnight for a chance to see a popular band. When buying tickets in person was the norm, the ticket price usually reflected a figure closer to what you would pay, typically just plus sales tax.
This all shifted with the rise of Ticketmaster as the go-to platform for purchasing tickets. This ticketing powerhouse began to impose numerous fees—service fees, delivery fees, processing fees, and facility charges. These added costs are only revealed after selecting your seats at the base price, and while a timer ticks down, effectively pressuring you into completing the purchase.
These additional costs can increase your final ticket price by 25% to 35%. The countdown timer combined with the surprise revelation of these fees often prompts customers to reluctantly pull out their credit cards.
At one point, Ticketmaster had a near monopoly on ticket sales and still holds more than 80% of the market share. Nevertheless, you do have some alternatives.
Minimizing Fees
For the savvy concert-goer or sports enthusiast, there are a few strategies to help mitigate these fees. First, consider purchasing directly from the venue, which often results in a lower final price. Even online purchases through the venue’s site can yield savings compared to larger ticket brokers. For my comedy tickets, despite being frustrated by an additional $32 expense, that was only a 19% increase. On Ticketmaster, the same tickets would have incurred a 34% hike.
If you have the time, adopting the traditional method of buying tickets in person at the box office can lead to even greater savings.
Airline Tickets
In the last decade, airlines have realized they could boost profits by eliminating many previously included services. This began with checked baggage fees, which can range anywhere from $10 to $150 per bag, varying by airline and the number of bags checked.
Next came seat selection fees when booking online. While some “free” seats are available, they’re often sparse and not located together. Consequently, if you wish to sit next to your group, you’ll likely incur additional fees for selecting seats.
Travelers might also face charges for onboard entertainment, drinks, and snacks. Altogether, these supplementary fees can inflate the price of airfare by 50% or even more.
Minimizing Fees
The airline industry presents varied fees, allowing shoppers to seek out better deals to avoid additional costs on top of their ticket prices. Some budget airlines permit up to two checked bags free of charge, waive seat selection fees, and offer complimentary snacks and entertainment.
Even if options are limited due to your proximity to a smaller airport, you can still keep costs manageable by booking your flights well in advance. Early bookings typically grant you more choices for free seat selection.
Moreover, understanding the specific fees charged by your airline can help you prevent unexpected costs. Being aware of a checked baggage fee before heading to the airport can motivate you to pack lightly and travel with just a carry-on. Additionally, bringing your own snacks and entertainment can help you bypass onboard charges. (See also: How to Save Money on Flights Using Fare Alerts)
Hotels
Booking accommodations online makes it easy to compare prices, helping you find the best offer. Unfortunately, the online rates often differ from the final amount due at checkout due to additional charges like resort fees, parking fees, online booking fees, and Wi-Fi costs.
These fees can fluctuate and are often hard to pinpoint in advance. For example, resort fees are daily charges for utilizing hotel amenities, such as gym and pool access or breakfast. Even if you don’t plan to use amenities, you still have to pay these fees, which may be a flat daily rate or a percentage of your room cost.
Minimizing Fees
Parking and Wi-Fi charges are typically straightforward to discover ahead of time. Inquiring about these additional costs can help you make informed decisions about where to stay. You might also secure discounts on these fees with memberships to organizations like AAA or AARP or through hotel loyalty programs.
While many countries ban undisclosed fees like resort charges and online booking fees, the U.S. lacks specific regulations—though deceptive pricing is illegal. Therefore, it’s crucial to gather information about fees from the hotel’s website or by calling upfront. However, calculating these costs can still prove challenging.
To avoid resort fees entirely, consider booking at hotels that don’t impose them. Websites like ResortFeeChecker.com can be invaluable resources.
Additionally, when booking a room with travel rewards points, it’s common for resort and booking fees to be waived. Loyalty programs often facilitate fee-free stays. (See also: How Travel Rewards Cards Can Help You Score Luxury Travel Perks)
Lastly, bypassing hotels altogether by opting for peer-to-peer rentals such as AirBnB or VRBO can lead to more affordable nightly rates without extra fees attached.
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