7 hidden charges of budget airline that you must know before booking a ticket

Last Updated on 2016-05-19 , 1:52 pm

Have you heard of free plane tickets? That’s right, budget airlines can offer tickets with prices as low as $0 and all you need to pay for are the airport taxes involved. However, there is definitely a catch to all these low prices – the extra charges for everything else besides your cramped seat. Before you grab that ticket on sale, consider all these things! If not, you might end up paying a lot more than you really planned to.

Insurance
Some airlines automatically opt-in for you when you are making your booking. Remember to uncheck the boxes if you don’t want to pay an extra $10 without even knowing it!

Payment surcharges
Paying by credit or debit card? Pay for paying. Have you heard of a more ridiculous concept?! It’s usually about $10 per ticket or booking.

Extra legroom
If you are taller than 170cm, you might find the small seats quite a bit of a squeeze. The solution? Pay extra money to upsize your seat to one with more legroom!

Water
Yes, this is the most ridiculous charge. You mean, I have to pay $3 for something that I can get for free anywhere in Singapore? Yes well, you really have no other choice when you are 30,000 feet in the air.

Check-in luggage
Most other airlines will include this in their air tickets, but not budget airlines. Be prepared to fork out $20 for a 15kg allowance, or $20/kg if you take on the risk of cheating the system at the airport.

Choosing your seats
If you want to sit nearer to the exit or even just sit next to your friend, pay up. That’s if you don’t want to risk being separated. Of course, since you can simply get to the airport as early as possible to get your preferred seats for free.

Meals
For $15, you get a luxurious and nutritious (note the tone) packed lunch which looks like it costs $1. It’s a deal!