Flying is already expensive, but airlines have found creative ways to tack on additional costs. One of the most frustrating is the “seat selection” fee, where passengers are asked to pay extra just to choose where they sit. The reality is, this fee isn’t mandatory, even if airlines make it seem that way.
How to avoid them: Instead of selecting a seat while booking, skip past this step. Airlines will assign you a seat for free at check-in. If you have a preference, you can always ask the gate agent politely upon arrival at the airport. More often than not, they’ll accommodate your request at no charge.
Few things are more annoying than paying to access your own money. Withdrawing cash from an out-of-network ATM can cost a few dollars each time, and those fees add up quickly.
How to avoid them: Stick to ATMs operated by your own bank to dodge these charges. If that’s not an option, consider switching to a bank that reimburses ATM fees. Another easy workaround is to get cash back while shopping at a grocery store—most retailers don’t charge a fee for this option. Keeping a little extra cash on hand can also help you avoid last-minute ATM runs.
Buying a car is already a big financial commitment, but dealerships love to add extra charges that may not be necessary. Advertising fees, delivery fees, and various "protection" services can quietly inflate the final cost.
How to avoid them: Ask to see the factory invoice. Any fees listed there are part of the actual cost of the car, but anything added on top by the dealership is up for negotiation. If a fee isn’t on the invoice, question it. Many times, simply pushing back will get the charge removed.
Hotels have increasingly added extra charges under the label of “resort” or “destination” fees. These can range from $25 to $50 per night, even if you don’t use the amenities they claim to cover. Some hotels now charge these fees just for booking a room, which can quickly inflate the price beyond the advertised rate.
How to avoid them: Call the hotel before booking and ask for a full breakdown of all charges. Request that the fees be waived or, at the very least, negotiate a discount on the room rate to offset the extra cost. Booking directly with the hotel instead of through third-party sites can sometimes improve your chances of getting these fees reduced. Travel agents may also have access to deals that help cancel out these extra charges.
Despite its helpful-sounding name, "overdraft protection" often results in substantial fees. If your account dips below zero, banks charge hefty fees, sometimes reaching $50 for a single transaction. Even small overdrafts can trigger these charges, making a minor slip-up very costly.
How to avoid them: Link your checking account to a savings account so any overdrafts pull from your own funds instead of triggering a fee. If that’s not an option, set up low-balance alerts so you can transfer money before an overdraft happens. Some banks also offer no-fee overdraft protection, so it’s worth checking if your bank has better options.
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Receiving a paper bank statement in the mail might seem harmless, but some banks charge a small monthly fee for it. Over time, even a couple of dollars a month adds up to an unnecessary expense.
How to avoid them: Opt for electronic statements instead. Most banks make it easy to switch to paperless billing through their online banking portal. It’s a simple fix that saves money and reduces paper waste.
Online shopping is convenient, but shipping costs can make a good deal less appealing. Some stores even set minimum purchase amounts to qualify for free shipping, encouraging customers to spend more than they originally planned.
How to avoid them: Consolidate purchases to avoid multiple shipping charges. Before checking out, compare shipping costs across different retailers—some may offer better rates. Signing up for free shipping programs like Amazon Prime or Walmart+ can be worth it if you shop online frequently. When possible, choose in-store pickup to bypass shipping costs altogether.
Rising costs have led many restaurants to add charges that were once included in menu prices. Some now include “kitchen” or “service” fees ranging from 5 to 20 percent, in addition to the tips that customers already provide to staff. Many restaurants also charge an extra 1.5 to 3 percent for credit or debit card transactions to offset processing costs.
Food delivery brings even more hidden fees. Third-party services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub often raise item prices on top of service and delivery fees, making meals far more expensive than expected.
How to avoid them: Restaurants are required to disclose credit card fees upfront, so if they don’t, ask to have the fee removed or request an equivalent discount. To avoid delivery markups, order directly from the restaurant and pick up your food in person whenever possible. Paying with cash may also help you sidestep certain charges.
Vacation rentals were once considered a budget-friendly alternative to hotels, but additional charges have made them far less appealing these days. What looks like an affordable $99/night listing can quickly balloon to over $400 for a two-night stay once service fees, cleaning fees, and various other add-ons appear at checkout.
How to avoid them: Once you find a listing on Airbnb, check if the property is available on other rental sites that don’t include the same extra charges. You can also try reaching out to the host directly to negotiate a better deal. Some travelers book only one night through Airbnb and arrange to pay for additional nights in person, though this carries some risk.
Popular payment apps like Cash App, PayPal, and Venmo charge between 0.5-1.75% for instant transfers to your bank account. Standard transfers (taking 1-3 business days) remain free. While it may not seem like much, these charges can add up quickly for frequent users.
How to avoid them: If you don’t need immediate access to your money, opt for the standard transfer, which usually takes one to three business days and is free. If instant transfers are essential, consider switching to Zelle, which works directly with banks and allows for real-time money transfers at no cost.
Cable and internet bills are notorious for company-imposed charges like broadcast TV fees, regional sports fees, equipment rental fees, and various vaguely named "infrastructure" or "technology service" fees. These allow providers to advertise competitive monthly rates while collecting much more.
How to avoid them: Call your provider and ask for a breakdown of your bill. If company-imposed fees are inflating the cost, threaten to cancel your service—many companies will remove unnecessary fees to keep your business. If that doesn’t work, consider switching to a streaming service or using an over-the-air antenna to cut costs.
Related: Never Open An Account with These Credit Cards
Buying tickets to live events often comes with a wave of extra charges, including transaction, processing, and convenience fees. Whether you're using primary sellers like Ticketmaster or secondary marketplaces like StubHub, these fees can dramatically increase the final cost.
How to avoid them: Some discount ticket sites like TickPick and Goldstar.com offer lower-priced options without extra fees. The best way to avoid charges altogether is to buy tickets directly from the box office in person. It may not always be possible for high-demand events, but it’s the only surefire way to dodge the extra costs.
