6. Don't pay for 'premium' seating in economy
Airlines are reserving an increasing number of seats in economy or coach cabins as "premium" seating for frequent fliers and travelers willing to pay more fees. Not only does this make it more challenging to find adjacent seats for you and your travel companion(s), but you will also likely have to pay for what once was a standard window or aisle seat. Emergency exit row seats, once a burden and responsibility for the leisure traveler, also now command a premium for the little bit of extra legroom they generally provide. Don't despair. If you don't want to pay the extra fees, even just on principle, select any available seat when you book your ticket. Then, keep checking online for seat availability. Airlines typically release some of the reserved seats as demand declines, e.g. when frequent fliers upgrade their tickets.
7. Make sure your carry-on items can fit underneath the seat
Most travelers are savvy enough to avoid baggage fees by carrying on as much as possible. As a result, overhead compartments fill up fast. Some airlines offer priority boarding for $5 to $10 each way for travelers who want to ensure compartment space. However, you can avoid these fees if your carry-on fits under the seat in front of you. Even if you decide to risk it, you should make sure your bag meets your carrier's specified carry-on luggage size. Checking bags at the gate is a hassle and can also cost you. Spirit Airlines, for example, recently announced it will charge $100 per bag each way (beginning in November) if the "carry-on" is checked at the gate.
8. Bring a book and/or magazine
Most airlines allow passengers to carry on reading material separately. It will not count toward your carry-on and personal item size and/or weight restrictions. Taking advantage of this policy will provide you with entertainment on your flight. Particularly on longer flights, having an interesting book or magazine will prevent you from succumbing to the temptations of onboard Wi-Fi and entertainment. Many airports offer free Wi-Fi. If you plan ahead, you can send your work emails before boarding, save the $12.70 most airlines charge for a 24-hour pass, and curl up with a good book on your flight.
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9. Bring your own food
Airline food prices (and airport food prices) are inflated, because restaurants have to factor in the higher cost of using airport space (i.e. airport surcharges). Bringing your own food will save you some cash. More importantly, unless you are traveling through San Francisco's SFO Virgin America terminal or New York's JFK JetBlue terminal, where "state-of-the art" includes gourmet dining, bringing your own will ensure you get a good meal. Let's face it: Airline food really isn't food unless you are flying first class, so why pay an arm and a leg for it?
10. Dress warmly and bring an extra sweater
It's definitely a bit chilly thousands of feet in the air. Dressing warmly and bringing extra layers will help keep you comfortable and hopefully help protect you from germs and viruses that may be circulating around. The real impact on your wallet: You won't consider paying extra for a pillow and blanket. That's right. Airlines charge for those now!
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