Author: Holly Johnson / Source: Wise Bread
Almost every day of the year, you can find a new story about a blogger who spent a month in some far-flung country for almost nothing out-of-pocket. And why wouldn’t you believe them?
Travel credit cards do, indeed, offer points and miles that can cover the costs of airfare and hotel rooms.
With a savvy strategy and enough stockpiled points, it’s possible to craft a rewards-fueled plan that lets you travel for almost nothing. (See also: 5 Steps to Getting a Free Vacation in 9 Months or Less With Credit Cards)The problem: Travel credit cards — and rewards cards in general — don’t cover every aspect of your trip. They can pay for the bulk of your major travel components, sure, but you may come up short when it comes to covering other common travel expenses.
Hidden costs of travel to watch out for
There’s nothing wrong with aiming for “free travel,” but it’s important to know what your real expenses might be so you can plan accordingly. How much does free travel really cost? We interviewed a handful of points and miles bloggers to find out some of the biggest expenses people fail to plan for.
Airline taxes and fees
According to Ariana Arghandewal, the blogger behind the popular Point Chaser blog, the biggest expense people forget about is airline taxes and fees. For domestic flights, these include the Passenger Facility Charges, U.S. Excise Tax, Domestic Flight Segment Tax, the September 11th Security Fee, and others.
International flights are also subject to a U.S. Arrival/Departure Tax, U.
S. Customs User Fee, U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Fee, and U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Fee. Foreign taxes, inspection fees, security charges, and departure taxes can add up to hundreds of dollars more, as can carrier-imposed surcharges. “Some airlines, like British Airways, even impose fuel surcharges, which can set you back over $1,000 round-trip to some destinations,” notes Arghandewal.Flight incidentals
Lee Huff, a travel writer who blogs for Boarding Area at BaldThoughts.com, says that, while some airline cards let you and your travel companions check bags for free, not all do. Checked bag fees can run you $25-$35 per bag, which could easy add up to $100 each way for a family of four.
Then there are other flight incidentals to be aware of. In-flight internet service on domestic flights (if you need it) can cost $5-$20 a day, depending on the airline and itinerary. Snacks in the airport can also be pricey, and so can drinks and magazines. Drive your own car to the airport and you will also need to pay for airport parking, says Huff.
Hotel extras
Even when you pay for a hotel with hotel points or a free night certificate, that doesn’t mean you’ll escape all costs of staying there. While hotels that let you book with rewards don’t charge taxes on your stay, you could still be on the hook for parking, internet…
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