Flying with kids is an exhausting ordeal, but with all of the additional fees airlines are pushing on passengers these days, it can be extremely expensive too. And I’m not jut talking about the dough you have to shell out to buy your kid the mid-flight Pringles she’s screaming for. Airlines are fee happy and you could easily drain your wallet before you arrive at your final destination.
If you plan to fly with kids during the busy summer travel season, but can’t afford to go broke in the process, consider the following tips:
If you plan to bring a hefty stroller, be prepared to pay. Extra-large strollers must be checked in as baggage, which could add an additional $35 to your travel bill. To avoid having to pay, consider purchasing a lightweight stroller or an even cheaper collapsible umbrella stroller. You can find the latter at WalMart for less than $20.
A lightweight stroller can be gate checked, which means you can use it to transport your child through the airport (instead of having to check it in at the ticket counter) and you reduce the risk of it not making it to your final destination. You also reduce the risk of your large, expensive stroller getting damaged in transit.
If you are traveling as a family, then you will likely want to check in for your flight online as early as possible in order to reserve good seats. If you have young children you’ll want to sit near the front of the plane, so you can get off and on quicker. Another option is to reserve seats near the restrooms on larger airplanes, so if you need to stand with your baby at any time during the flight you can do so in the little open area near the lavatories.
The downside to strategic seating is that airlines such as AirTran and Spirit have seat selection fees as high as $35. Travel experts call these “hidden taxes on parents.” To spare yourself the added expense, call the airline ahead of time. Most carriers will waive the fee for parents traveling with children.
Bulkhead seats with extra legroom are also a great option for parents flying with young children. However, most airlines only assign bulkhead seats at the airport, so if you want the extra space you will need to arrive at the ticket desk early.
For an additional fee you can reserve seating with extra legroom on United and American Airlines. However, if you want to save on seating, simply get to the airport early and reserve the free bulkhead seats.
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