Hi Dee,

Great question! Unfortunately, airline baggage fees seem to have become the norm these days, and it can often be frustrating not to know who's charging what. Here's a handy chart that compiles them all in once place, so that you can figure out what you're going to be paying before you book.

As for ways to avoid them, there are actually a few things you can do. Genevieve wrote a great post about this a couple of years ago, but a few general ideas are as follows:

• Try and stay loyal to one carrier when you fly: passengers who acheive elite statue with an airline are often exempt from baggage fees.
• If you've got miles to use, see if you can upgrade your ticket: once you're flying Business Class, you usually don't have to pay to check bags.
• Choose carefully when you're picking a carrier (the above chart should help.) If you're going to save $20 on your ticket but end up paying twice that in baggage fees, you might want to rethink your choice.
• Pack light! It seems obvious, sure, but the easiest way to avoid a checked baggage fee is...well, not to check a bag. If you can squeeze everything into your carry-on, you'll save yourself a bunch of money. Be sure to check with your carrier, though, for information about their carry-on bag policy---it can vary from airline to airline, and some are very strict about adhering to it---and with the TSA so that you're up to date on their rules for what you can carry on.

That's it! Best of luck and hope this helps you out.

--Holly

Dear Editors,

I've been reading about the new carry-on bag fee that Spirit Airlines will start charging their customers. At first, I wasn't really concerned because I don't fly them, but then I started reading about other airlines doing the same thing. What do you think?

Evelyn

Hi Evelyn,

I've spent the past week conducting media interviews on the new Spirit Airlines carry-on bag fee and was asked whether or not other airlines will follow in every single interview. My response to the question is perhaps a bit unsatisfactory: We'll have to wait and see.

For the time being, the other airlines are going to sit back and watch the reaction to this new fee. For the past couple of years, airlines have made it pretty clear that they're charting their way to an a la carte pricing model, but the carry-on bag fee to be imposed by Spirit Airlines really takes the cake.

Major airlines risk alienating a lot of high paying customers if they start charging for carry-on luggage, and they know this. The biggest difference between Spirit and major carriers is that Spirit relies on the leisure traveler looking for ultra low fares, and the other airlines rely more heavily on the big spending business traveler. No one is going to want to be the first major carrier to start charging for carry-on luggage, leaving travelers with no option but to pay for a bag.

The advice I've been telling travelers is simple: Do the math. If a low fare is what you're after, you may still get that with Spirit even after you add in that baggage fee. But know what you're getting - a no frills flying experience. If you don't believe in the policy, don't fly them. Your dollars will talk.

Happy Travels,

Jennifer

Editors' Note: We're here to help our fellow travelers, so if you have a travel question of your own, just ask! Each week, we'll publish a response to our very favorite question from one of our readers. Need travel help now? Peruse Travelocity's frequently asked questions.

Hi there,

I’m so impressed that you’re preparing for a departure tax even before you enter the country! (Unless you sent us your question from a Mexican airport, in which case I hope things worked out for you.)

The answer is yes, Mexico does charge a departure tax, but (if you’re arriving via plane) you almost certainly paid it when you bought your plane ticket. If you’re unsure whether it was included in your ticket’s taxes, just call your airline and confirm.

If you’re departing over land, or if your flight originates somewhere other than the U.S., you may indeed owe your fee upon departure, but it can be paid in either pesos or U.S. dollars. The fee will vary depending on exchange rates, but it should be less than $50.

For more general departure guidelines around the world, I usually start with two websites: the U.S. State Department and the International Air Transport Association. These sites should have the information you need, or point you toward where to find it.

Have a wonderful time in Mexico—I’m sure you will!

Michelle

Dear Editors,

I need some information about taking my dog with me on a flight to PA. Can you give me a site I can look at what I need to take the dog with me?

Thank you,

Lucinda

Hi Lucinda,

This is one of those situations that is very common among traveling pet owners. As such, you'd likely think there was a simple-to-understand, uniform policy across airlines that dealt with pet travel. Unfortunately, this is not the case and so there isn't one perfect resource I can direct you to for information. However, I will try my best to help you navigate various airline policies. For general information about pet travel, I recommend PetTravel.com.

You've probably heard that the airlines are charging for most extras these days, and taking your dog along is no exception. Plan on paying between $69 and $150 each way for your pet. The fee may also vary depending on whether your pet travels in the cabin with you or as cargo. In addition, your pet may need a certificate of health and there may also me restrictions on heat and weather temperatures that could affect your pet's health. Here is a list of links to the major domestic airlines' pet travel policies. If you've already booked your ticket, you can read up on the fees and requirements; if not, you may want to browse the various policies to find an airline that will work best for you and your barking travel companion.

AirTran Airways

American Airlines

Continental Airlines

Delta Airlines

Frontier

JetBlue

Midwest

US Airways

United