• Introduction
• 1. Carry On to Put Fees in Check
• 2. If You Must Check Bags, Check Wisely
• 3. Pack Sweet Dreams With You
• 4. BYOH: Bring Your Own Headset
• 5. Fight In-Flight Food Fees
• 6. Let Your Hotel Foot the Bill
• 7. Fly Southwest for Freedom From Fees
• 8. Join the Club
• 9. Don’t Get Beat on Your Seat
• 10. Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease

Fly Southwest for Freedom From Fees

Southwest has been reveling of late in its fee-free structure, which it owes largely to the fuel "hedges" that the company put into place back in 1998 – basically a type of insurance policy against rising fuel prices that locks in their fuel rates at well below what other airlines have had to dish out since barrel prices spiked. It was a smart business move that has paid off tremendously for the airline – and their customers. Visit their website and they proudly advertise slogans like “Freedom from Fees” and “No Hidden Fees.” And they aren’t kidding – customers' first two checked bags are indeed freebies, and it's only $25 to lug along a third (or overweight) bag. You won’t pay a dime to book fares on the phone or in person, while most other airlines tack on fees of $10 to $30 dollars for the 'privilege’ of dealing with a real, live person. Snacks and (non-alcoholic drinks) remain lip-smackingly free. They’ll even let you change your flight plans and pay absolutely nada (versus domestic change fees of up to $150 on other carriers) – instead, you’ll get a flight credit that is good for one year.

See United States Travel Guide