Which airline fees are worth it? It depends

A few weeks ago, American Airlines made news by announcing a new option for passengers, the ability to lock in a ticket price beyond the standard 24-hour window for up to one week's time. You won't be surprised to know this service is attached to a non-refundable fee; American is charging $7.99 for 3 days, $9.99 for 5 days and $11.99 for 7 days.

I've probably devoted as much ink to the topic of airline fees as anyone writing about the industry, and I've been particularly vocal about the need for greater consumer transparency in obtaining the full price of a ticket prior to booking. But the reality is that all of us who fly must decide if and when to pay extra money for services that in many cases used to be included in the airfare.

So is the new American hold fee worth it? The answers are yes, no and maybe, depending on who you are and the circumstances of your trip.

Airlines giveth—and taketh away

According to the latest report from the fee experts at IdeaWorksCompany, this year 180 airlines worldwide are estimated to generate $59.2 billion in ancillary revenue, in large measure from "a la carte" services. The challenge for passengers, of course, is that 1) airlines don't all charge for the same services and products, and 2) they don't all charge the same fee amounts. So deciding what extras are "mandatory" is not only specific to each trip, but it can be a very personal decision as well.

Consider that Southwest Airlines has — quite rightfully — earned kudos from many passengers by not charging ticket change fees and allowing not one but two free checked bags for all passengers. If avoiding such fees is a consideration, then obviously many consumers should weigh such savings when booking flights.

On the other hand, Southwest's "open seating" policy can turn boarding into a veritable mosh pit, particularly considering Southwest keeps posting record passenger load factors that translate into fuller and fuller airplanes. Even so, as someone eager to avoid fees, I never considered paying the "upgraded boarding" fee of $30 to $40 per flight. At least, I didn't until I got stuck in traffic, arrived at the gate just minutes before departure and was forced into a dreaded middle seat between two other large passengers. All three of us were miserable. On my next Southwest booking, I paid the early boarding fee — not quite "happily," but certainly without any regrets.

Of course, other passengers would not have minded that middle seat. That's why when I considered compiling definitive lists of Airline Fees You Should Pay and Airline Fees You Should Avoid, I soon realized it couldn't be done. Those are two lists that are constantly in flux, and they are never one-size-fits-all.

Instead, consider the following suggestions for how to avoid certain fees at certain times, even as we all acknowledge that the a la carte fare we select will not always be the bottom-line fare we pay.

To fee or not to fee

Here are some common ancillary fees, and some thoughts on when and how to avoid them.

• Baggage fees: This is one point on which I'm destined not to agree with most airline executives; they maintain flying with baggage is an "option," and I submit it's intrinsic to the act of traveling, particularly on an airplane covering great distances. Debates aside, it seems fair to conclude that certain itineraries require you to check baggage. (Yes, a cottage industry of "packing experts" has arisen, but a two-week vacation toting only a carry-on?) As mentioned, Southwest allows those first two bags for free, while other U.S. airlines typically charge $25 for the first checked bag, with oversized and overweight baggage costing more. That's why shipping your belongings (or gifts at the holidays) may make sense. In addition to the U.S. Postal Service and those delivery drivers in shorts, Greyhound's Package Express service can work for even 11th-hour deliveries. Of course, if you're annoyed at paying fees that can range up to $100 for CARRY-ON baggage alone, the simple answer is to avoid flying the nation's three Ultra Low Cost Carriers — Allegiant, Frontier and Spirit. But if price is the only determinant, you should compare the total cost of their fares and fees against rival airlines' bottom-line prices.

• Seat selection/boarding fees: Securing the perfect seat — and the perfect pathway to that seat — can cost you in several ways. For some people, early boarding may mean a more comfortable seat. For others, it's first crack at the overhead bins. And still for others, it's the chance to deplane first. On open seating carriers like Southwest, boarding early may be quite important. On other airlines, boarding may not matter but paying extra for a specific seat— either because of its size or its location in the cabin —may be critical. There's no shortage of airline products designed to give you a bit more legroom and they're often bundled into packages, such as JetBlue's Even More Space and Delta's Comfort+. In these days of overcrowded cabins, many seasoned travelers have developed their own hacks to cut security, boarding and deplaning queues, though some methods are ethically questionable. Fees for more comfortable seating can be tough to avoid but two strategies can sometimes help — confirm seating online as early as possible and politely make your case for a desired seat to an agent while checking in. Dressing neatly won't hurt.

• Change fees: Unless you're flying Southwest, changing your mind can be expensive — flight change fees can start at $200 and run up to $1,000. There are many reasons why itineraries may be in flux, particularly for business travelers. The best way to avoid? Try rigorous comparison shopping, pricing apps and hold fees to avoid booking until you're sure you'll be going. It's a lot of work, but it can save quite a bit in fees.

• Price-hold fees: That new American hold fee could be a bust in some cases, but it also could be a bargain if only $8 to $12 saves you $100 or more. Locking in a high price obviously doesn't make sense, and neither does paying for a ticket that you are not likely to use. Of course, many airlines offer free pricing apps and many travel sites provide fare alerts, and these might help you avoid paying to hold a price. But if you're still nailing down the specifics of an itinerary and you see an attractive fare that you don't want to lose, then this fee easily could pay for itself. Are such fees pure profit for an airline? Experts I've spoken to say they suspect that's the case, but that doesn't mean a price hold can't pay off for you.

• Onboard Fees: Sometimes it's the last-minute impulse purchases that cost the most. Since most domestic flights impose fees for meals and larger snacks, the easiest way to avoid such costs is to brown bag it. Just be careful what you pack prior to leaving for the airport because the TSA will still screen your carry-ons; this is particularly important for beverages, even plain old bottled water. Of course, some airlines — particularly outside the United States — offer complimentary food in economy class, while even the stingiest domestic carriers still serve meals on long-haul international flights. And fees for headsets, movies, pillows and blankets? You can always pack your own entertainment and comfort items.

Paying in the end

Airline pricing has been transformed by ancillary fees, and complete avoidance of all add-ons is virtually impossible. But careful planning can help you avoid the sting of much of the nickel-and-diming.

Then there's the most subjective purchase of all: buying travel insurance for protection against everything from itinerary disruptions to full-scale disasters. Some passengers wouldn't even consider such coverage, while others wouldn't think of passing it up. No fluctuation in fees is likely to ever change that.

Bill McGee, a contributing editor to Consumer Reports and the former editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, is an FAA-licensed aircraft dispatcher who worked in airline operations and management for several years. Tell him what you think of his latest column by sending him an e-mail at travel@usatoday.com. Include your name, hometown and daytime phone number, and he may use your feedback in a future column.