Planning on using your frequent flyer points to book a free ticket?

If so, plan in advance, as the airlines are offering only a limited amount of seats on each flight.

When choosing peak travel dates many airlines are now charging double the amount of points!

The airlines created the frequent flyer programs 20+ years ago to reward their business travelers. Now the airlines sell miles to many credit card companies. This is one the biggest money makers for the airlines.

Short on points? Many airlines offer an option to purchase additional points by contacting them directly.

Once a “free ticket” was really a free ticket. Now there are many costs involved.

When calling Hawaiian airlines to book your frequent flyer ticket it will cost you $10.00 per booking, while American airlines & Delta will charge $20.00. Frontier, Midwest and United airlines & Continental are $25.00 per ticket. The most expensive ticket goes to US airways of $55.00 for domestic ticket or $70-95 for an international ticket. Southwest, Spirit and AirTran do not charge for phoning in to redeem your miles.

When booking a frequent flyer ticket online all airlines were waiving the booking fee with the exception of US airlines. They will be charging between $25-50 per ticket.

In addition to the booking fee there are also taxes and fees. This will vary depending on the airlines and your desired destination.

Please keep in mind all rates are subject to change without notice. For the most up to date rules and rates please contact the airlines directly!

Marie Glodt
Travel to Maui
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Hidden airline fees

Hidden airline fees

Written by Marie Glodt, Hawaiian Travel Specialist at Travel to Maui

In today’s blog I wanted to address the cost of membership fees for airport club lounges.

While this luxury service used to be limited to a very select few, now it is available to everyone but for a fee. Most airlines will offer a daily pass. This ranges from $30.00-50.00 depending on the airlines. Alaskan airlines charges the least with the daily fee of $30.00, American airlines and United airlines charge the most with the fee varying depending when and how you pay. Daily passes are not available with Frontier, Hawaiian, Jet Blue, Southwest, or Sprit airlines.

If you would like to purchase an annual membership pass for the airport club prepare to pay anywhere from $199.00-525.00.Hawaiian airlines annual fee starts at $199.00, with United airlines having the most expensive fee of $525.00. Different fees apply to renewal clients

Many lounges include light snacks, & soft drinks. While the airlines websites are a little vague of what is included you may contact them directly for details, or stop by the airport lounge for the most up to date pricing and information.


Coming in future blogs: Spa & romance packages in Hawaii,
Tours and activities in Hawaii, Honeymoon packages and travel tips to Hawaii & Tahiti, more hidden airline fees, great places to eat in Hawaii, the best beaches in Hawaii,fun things to do in Hawaii.

Planning a honeymoon, destination wedding or travel package to Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand or Australia?
Contact us at Travel to Maui at www.traveltomaui.net

Baggage Fees for Domestic flights in the United States

More “hidden airline fees!” By Marie Glodt @ Travel to Maui

In today’s blog I wanted to comment on baggage fees imposed by the airlines. This is ever changing so please keep this mind when traveling.

It is always a good idea to call the airlines directly a day or two before you depart! This is a good time to reconfirm your flight times and see if the baggage fees have changed since you booked your trip. Many airlines will not honor an earlier rate quoted.

Most airlines are now charging for the 1st & 2nd bags. On your first bag expect to pay from $15.00-25.00 if it is under 50#. The second bag will be range from $25.00-35.00. The exceptions to this rule would be JetBlue & Southwest airlines. JetBlue will allow the first bag at no charge. The second bag would be $30.00. Southwest is currently not charging for the 1st or 2nd bags as long as it is within the weight and length restrictions.

Do you have a 3rd bag? Then you can plan on paying an extra $50-125 for that bag.

Is your bag over 50 pounds? As long as it is between 51-70 pounds you will be paying an additional $25.00-100 depending on the flight. If your bag is between 71-100 pounds you will be charged an extra $75-175.00.

If your checked luggage is 63-80 total inches be prepared to pay $100.00 or more with Delta, United, Spirit, US Airways or American airlines. This size luggage is not allowed on Hawaiian airlines.

Coming in future blogs: club membership fees, frequent flyer costs, buying miles, my “staycation on Maui”, honeymoons, spa & romance packages to Hawaii, and the South Pacific.

Travel to Maui www.traveltomaui.net
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Hidden airline fees part #2

Hidden airline Fees part #2

Written by Marie Glodt Travel to Maui

This is a continuation from the blog I posted last week of the hidden airline fees.

Today I want to address the change fee policies. We all know it costs the airlines very little to make changes to your reservation once ticketed. But that doesn’t mean it cost you that amount!

Change fees vary depending on the airlines and the type of ticket you are on.

Are you traveling on an international ticket? Then expect to pay $100 on Alaska airlines (the least expensive). Or up to $250.00 on American, Continental, Delta or United airlines. This fee is per person.

If you are traveling domestically the lowest change fee is $50.00. Most airlines seem to be charging in the $100-150 price range.

Your fee to change flight to same the destination on the day of departure ranges from $0.00 on Alaskan airlines, to $150-200.00 on Hawaiian airlines.

On my next hidden fee blog I will address baggage fees! Look for this blog in about 2 weeks.

I am going to be taking some time off to do a “staycation” here on Maui. I will be writing a brief blog about that as well in the near future. Stay tuned.

Travel to Maui www.traveltomaui.net