Watch For Nasty Hidden Extras on Cheap Flights

So you want to book a cheap holiday away somewhere nice to catch some winter sun or perhaps you fancy a ski holiday away in the Alps and are looking for a transfer to the slopes, which isn't going to break the bank. Wherever you are going, if you are looking to save money, then cheap flights are one of the best ways to cut your holiday spending.

The problem with cheap flights is that they are rarely as good value as they might purport to be. Most cheap flights come attached with the dreaded hidden extras, some of which can be avoided, and some of which cannot. Here is our guide to the best way to prepare yourself for hidden charges and how to avoid some of the unnecessary ones.

Cheap flights are often advertised with the one-way price highlighted before taxes and surcharges have been added. Keep in mind that you will have to pay double whatever the catchy eye-grabbing price is, if you ever want to come back from your holiday, and that the taxes and airport fees could be as much as £20 on a £10 flight, effectively tripling the cost of your ticket straight away.

Once you've got into the mindset of paying taxes and surcharges the other necessary hidden extra is your payment method. Most cheap flights bought online will force you to pay a credit card handling fee of between £2 and £10, depending on which airline you book with.

Whilst this is technically avoidable if you happen to have the right kind of payment, airlines deliberately choose minority payment types such as Visa Electron as the free payment method and any other form of card incurs the handling fee. Resign yourself to paying this fee and that should be the end of the necessary hidden extras.

One of the best things you can do to ensure that you don't get penalised with additional charges is to pack very carefully. For a summer holiday you shouldn't need many clothes anyway, so you can afford to pack light. Winter holidays are trickier but be strict with yourself and only take the clothes you really need, rather than the clothes you want.

When it comes to the day of your flight, make sure that you check in online beforehand to avoid airport check-in fees. Also make sure you bring with you food and drink for the flight so you don't have to shell out extortionate amounts of money for food on board.

Follow these guidelines and your cheap flights will remain so, without incurring the burden of hidden extras.

travel