Travelers may notice that their wallets are feeling a little thinner this summer. That’s because travel costs have increased, and while some charges are avoidable, others aren’t. To help consumers keep travel costs at bay and understand why their vacation may cost more this summer, AAA would like to provide insight on this trend.

“The airlines pioneered the fee movement when they started charging for checked bags in 2008,” said Jim Prueter, travel spokesperson for AAA Arizona. “Since then, others have joined in, making it imperative for travelers to be aware of travel fees they can mitigate or avoid, while still understanding those that could be beneficial to them.”

The following offers a brief explanation of fees travelers may experience this summer:

• Air Travel. In addition to paying for checked bags, air travelers will shell out more cash for priority boarding, seat selection, premium seat perks, such as extra legroom, as well as pillows and blankets.
  
  
• Car Rental. Those who rented a vehicle in years past are likely accustomed to fees including pre-paid fuel, underage drivers or late returns. However, many rental car counters are enacting mileage caps, energy surcharges, no show fees, early return and premium location fees.
  
  
• Hotels & Resorts. Many hotels and resorts have added fees for safes, business and fitness centers, newspapers,  housekeeping, and bottled water.

“Many items that were complimentary to travelers in the past now come with a price tag,” Prueter said. “Unfortunately, this trend could make some travelers opt out of optional fees that could protect their vacation from unforeseen events, such as travel insurance.”

Ranging from four to eight percent of total trip cost, travel insurance can help safeguard your vacation against illness, injury and other disruptions. However, it is important to note that not all travel insurance is created equal. For this reason, AAA encourages consumers to consider the following before purchasing this coverage:  

• Choose the right policy.  Because travel insurance can vary, be sure to carefully review what is covered and what is excluded in the policy.  A policy, for example, may cover illness or injury, while excluding natural disasters, such as a hurricane. 
  
  
• Review trip interruption and cancelation coverage. Many policies have limitations on canceling, cutting short or extending a trip. Some policies, for example, state that you must cancel 48 hours before departure in order to be covered.
  
  
• Don’t overlap coverage. Many policies offer a certain amount of rental car coverage, which could mitigate purchasing additional coverage at the counter. In addition, homeowner’s insurance, in some cases, may cover lost baggage.
  
  
• Shop around.  Keep in mind that you don’t have to purchase insurance through the vendor you purchased travel from.  For example, you do not have to buy insurance from an airline just because you booked your flight through them. It may be purchased outright from many companies, including AAA.
  

“A travel agent is an excellent resource to consult before purchasing travel insurance, as they can define what is and isn’t covered in a policy and answer additional questions travelers may have,” added Prueter.

AAA Arizona, the Arizona affiliate of AAA, provides automotive, insurance and auto travel services to nearly 800,000 Arizona members.  Annually, AAA’s Emergency Road Service responds to more than 450,000 calls for help on the streets and highways of the state as well as providing insurance, travel, and financial services to AAA members and motorists. Since its founding in 1927, AAA Arizona has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.  In 2008, AAA was ranked the No. 1 “socially responsible” brand by Landor’s BrandAsset® Valuator.