How to Save Up to $3,000 a Year

The Leak: Paying Airlines for Extras

The fix: "Everybody charges for everything nowadays," says travel expert Joe Brancatelli, whose website, joesentme.com, chronicles the airline-fee frenzy. Northwest Airlines, United Airlines, and US Airways now charge $1 to $2 for curbside check-in. Almost all domestic carriers, except Alaska Airlines and Continental Airlines, charge for meals on domestic flights, and American Eagle Airlines tested a program that charged $1 for a 12-ounce can of soda on flights out of Los Angeles International Airport. Air Canada charges $2 for a pillow and a blanket. Frontier Airlines charges $6 for DirecTV and $8 for pay-per-view movies. And bags that exceed the domestic-flight weight limit of 50 pounds will set you back $25 each (international flights have higher weight limits but also higher penalties, varying by airline and destination). Dodge fees by: 

• Weighing luggage at home to make sure each piece stays under 50 pounds. Divide contents into two bags if necessary (savings: $25 or more).
• Skipping curbside check-in and using a time-saving kiosk or checking in online at home (savings: $1 to $2).
• Bringing your own headphones (savings: $2) and snacks and meals (savings: $2 to $9).

Savings: $30 or more per flight.