Ways Budget Airlines Can Cost More in the Long Run

Budget airlines offer customers incredible deals: plane tickets that cost half as much as a major airline fare. These less expensive airlines can feel like a way to get where you need to go without paying astronomical prices. If you’re a traveler with a limited amount of money earmarked for your trip, budget airlines are the way to go, right? Well, not exactly. As the saying goes, oftentimes “you get what you pay for”. And when you stop and consider that these airlines have to make a profit too, you start to question how it all works. Many ultra-low-cost carriers make up for cheap base tickets through hidden costs, like extra fees, inconvenient schedules, and unusual policies that all add up to more than you originally bargained for. Sometimes travelers end up spending nearly as much, or possibly even more, than they would have purchasing through a traditional airline. These are some of the biggest ways budget airlines can cost more in the long run.

1. Baggage Fees

At this point, budget airlines are synonymous with pesky bag fees. Many budget airlines charge for every bag you bring beyond one small carry-on. This was especially problematic when the airlines didn’t do their best to disclose this to customers. Passengers simply figured it out when they showed up at the airport with four bags in tow. We now expect this to be the case when it comes to budget airlines, but it can still pose a problem. You may tell yourself you can cram a week’s worth of clothes into your trusty backpack only to discover the night before your flight that you have to bring that second bag. Carry-ons and checked luggage are free on major airlines, but they are both costly on cheaper airlines, with checked luggage being shockingly expensive when added at the airport. Remember, they have to make up for the cost of that inexpensive ticket! Some unaware travelers could even end up paying more for luggage than for the ticket itself. Additionally, small backpacks that aren’t quite small enough may come with surprise charges if they don’t fit strict size requirements. All of this baggage nonsense can eat into the cash you saved on the initial flight.

Not an issue if: you’re a tried and true one-bag-carrier and you’ve double checked your carry-on fits the size limits

2. Seats Often Cost Extra

On standard airlines, you can generally select a seat if it is not already taken. Or ask for a window seat at the gate. If it’s available, they will usually be happy to offer this courtesy, but not so with Cheap O’Air. On many budget carriers, your ticket only guarantees that you will physically be on some seat inside the plane; if you want courtesy, that comes extra. Even if a window seat is available, they will charge you to sit there. If you want to avoid the dreaded middle seat, it’s going to cost you. If you have multiple legs of a flight, it will cost you each time. This can feel like you are choosing between comfort and cash; and knowing we will be uncomfortable for hours at a time may lead us to break down and pay even more for a decent seat. Some airlines even go so far as to charge more for seats with slightly more legroom or proximity to the front.

Not an issue if: you’re a very short or tiny person, don’t mind the middle seat, and have easily handled periods of discomfort while traveling in the past

3. Airports May Be Far from Your Destination

Budget airlines frequently use smaller secondary airports instead of big-city hubs. While searching for flights, the price may look so good that it is worth the inconvenience of landing 35 minutes outside of the city. However, this can create more expense down the line, as you’ll have to pay for transportation to and from the out-of-the-way airport. If you don’t have a buddy to drive you around, you’ll have to rely on Uber, which will be costly. What seemed like a worthwhile sacrifice to save a good chunk of money turns into an expensive headache. To make matters worse, certain budget airlines aren’t great at highlighting these location discrepancies. You see the name of the city and choose the best ticket price, and it can be easy to miss the fine print that reveals your chosen airport is on the far outskirts of said city.

Not an issue if: you can convince a friend to pick you up and drop you off (make sure it’s a reliable friend)

4. Food and Drinks Aren’t Free

Most traditional airlines still provide some complimentary snacks or drinks on flights. You might think you don’t need these little extras, but we forget how easy it can be to improperly plan on travel days. If you didn’t have time to grab something before the flight, you’ll likely be wishing the flight attendant would offer you those delicious Maui pretzels. Since budget airlines don’t give out snacks, you may be starving when you land, which leads to more spending on airline food. Or you find yourself so parched mid-flight that you whip out the credit card one more time for a $12 water. And nothing can make a stressed human throw financial caution to the wind quite like hunger.

Not an issue if: you plan ahead, arrive early, and pack (accessible) snacks

5. Strict Rules Can Lead to Surprise Charges

Budget airlines are famous for extremely strict policies. While traditional airlines tend to help you out if they reasonably can, it can feel like budget airlines are trying to ruin your day. Missing a check-in deadline by a few minutes can sometimes mean buying an entirely new ticket. Many travelers don’t realize the rigid rules until it is far too late.

Not an issue if: you’re chronically responsible and always on time

6. Delays and Limited Flights Can Become Costly

Compared to major airlines, many low-cost airlines operate fewer flights per route per day. This makes sense, as they simply don’t have the same customer base as larger carriers.  However, this means that if your flight gets delayed or canceled, there may not be another option until the next day. One unexpected night at a hotel can not only shorten your trip and increase stress but also add about $200 to your cost of travel. If it happens on your way home, you may be forced to miss work or pay for an extra day of childcare. Larger airlines often have more backup flights and partnerships to help stranded passengers.

Not an issue if: you’re willing to take the risk and don’t mind camping out in the airport overnight

7. Comfort Can Affect Your Entire Trip

You may think a half day or two of discomfort is worth it to save a few hundred bucks. However, Tiny seats, limited legroom, and cramped cabins may slowly wear on you throughout the day. And nothing adds to stress like claustrophobia. Even if you’re not entirely aware of it, uncomfortable travel can affect sleep, mood, and energy levels during your travel, and whether it’s a vacation or a business trip, these things matter to your mental health. When we are overwhelmed and exhausted, we tend to spend more on conveniences like upgraded accommodations and nice meals just to recover. And while we’re not trying to make budget air travel sound traumatic, spending three hours scrunched between two strangers with no free snack can feel an awful lot like trauma. Aside from finances, saving money on airfare sometimes comes at the cost of enjoying the trip itself.

Not an issue if: you’re the type of person who never gets riled up, bounces back super-fast, and has traveled extensively

8. Change and Cancellation Fees Can Be Brutal

Travel plans change more often than people expect. Your child gets sick, your cousin cancels the wedding, or a loved one unexpectedly dies. Budget airlines are not known for their flexibility when it comes to altering flights. Modifying a ticket can cost almost as much as buying a new one, and they know they have you over a barrel. Refund policies are often strict, require documentation, and involve difficult-to -navigate customer service. Travelers who need to reschedule due to emergencies or illness may end up losing most of their money. When life does not go according to plan (and it so often doesn’t), the cheaper ticket can become far more expensive.

Not an issue if: you are willing to take that gamble