Brace Yourself for Higher Air Travel Costs

Written by Sherry Jackson of Entrepreneur.com

In today's U.S. airline fare wars, base ticket prices may be on the decline in some cases. But carriers are making up for it by charging extra for services and conveniences that used to be customary. Read on to learn more about these additional charges and how business travelers can keep an eye on the bottom line.

At the Airport

In 2008, the Transportation Security Administration is expanding its Registered Traveler program. Once an applicant is approved, benefits are expected to include reduced wait times and/or dedicated security lines, a concierge service for luggage, parking privileges and discounts for services and concessions. The program is available at the discretion of each airport authority.

Baggage

The convenience of checking your bags curbside and avoiding long lines in the airport will now cost $2 per bag at some major U.S. airports. Just checking bags also now costs money with some carriers. Spirit Airlines charges $10 each for the first two checked bags or $5 if you pay via the company's Web site. The cost is $100 per additional bag. Go over the standard 50-pound weight limit and fees will range from $25 to $150 per bag.

If you don't want to hassle with luggage at the airport, Luggage Free and Luggage Forward are two of the new companies that provide luggage shipping service. The cost depends on the number of bags and when you need them to arrive. The price ranges from $1.65 to $4.40 per pound each way.

While this may seem expensive, you won't have to check or pick up your baggage, and your luggage is less likely to get lost. If you have extra time and don't need the door-to-door service, you can save money by shipping your luggage through FedEx(FDX Quote) or UPS(UPS Quote). ...