How to avoid travel fees that are more common than you think

Taking a vacation is meant to be a time to relax and detach from your “normal” life — but we all know how expensive that can be.

Nowadays, it feels like traveling comes with more costs, whether it’s throwing hotel staff a few extra bucks for room service, paying Airbnb cleaning fees, or adding more drivers to your rental car agreement.

With that in mind, USA Today compiled a list of seven surprising hidden travel fees that are actually more common than you would think.

So before you finish booking your summer vacation, below are some hidden travel fees and ways to avoid them.

Cleaning fees for vacation rentals

Vacation rental companies such as Airbnb and Vrbo tack on cleaning fees so that hosts can prepare rooms in between stays. Airbnb’s cleaning fee is “a one-off charge for cleaning the space you stay in and is set by the host,” according to the vacation rental’s website.

The fee is added to the nightly rate when guests book a listing. Airbnb lists the cleaning fee separately in the price breakdown and the fee is not given back to the guests at the end of the trip.

Vrbo operates in the same fashion, but not all hosts charge a cleaning fee because they think it could make their listing too expensive, hospitable reported. It’s also worth noting if the Vrbo you want to book is listed as a luxury stay, because you could pay a higher cleaning fee.

Hotel amenity costs

If you choose to stay at a hotel or resort instead of a vacation rental, then be wary of paying extra to use the gym, pool and rooftop deck, among other amenities.

Hotels may charge an amenities fee or resort fee on top of your nightly rate whether you plan on using them or not, USA Today said. Hotels charge resort fees to lower base rates and draw in more customers, NerdWallet reported. Some hotels also claim these fees let them reduce the commissions paid to online travel agents.

Examples found by the personal finance company included a $48 resort fee for “a welcome basket of local snacks” at Hyatt’s Andaz Maui in Hawaii and a $50 fee at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara, California, that includes fitness classes, tennis racket, electric bike rentals and guided hiking tours. After analyzing more than 100 hotels around the U.S. with December 2023 check-in dates, NerdWallet found that the average average resort fee was $38.82 per night.

To avoid shelling out some extra cash for amenities you may not use, Forbes has several solutions such as booking a stay with hotel reward points and using rewards credit cards.

Foreign transaction fees

Speaking of credit cards, if your bank charges foreign transaction fees when you use a debit or credit card, then you could pay even more for your travels with every swipe. These fees, which can add up quickly, apply when using a card for meals, excursions, souvenirs and other expenses.

That is why it’s important to see if your bank charges foreign transaction fees. Banks with no debit card foreign transaction or ATM fees include Capital One 360, Charles Schwab Bank, Discover Bank, HSBC and Varo Bank, according to NerdWallet. Banks that do charge a fee include Bank of America, Chase, Citi, Citizens Bank, Fifth Third Bank, Navy Federal Credit Union, TD Bank and Wells Fargo.

NerdWallet said an easy way to avoid foreign transaction fees is to use a travel credit card. FinanceBuzz has a list of the “Top No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards of June 2024″ to assist would-be travelers.

Roaming fees

Before heading on your next adventure, check your cellphone plan to see if it covers international service. If it doesn’t, you could be paying for roaming fees once your travels are all said and done.

Most U.S. mobile companies charge extra to roam on non-U.S. networks, especially for faster speeds. Some companies may even charge high fees for data, texting and talking while abroad, USA Today said.

Some ways to avoid roaming fees include buying a local SIM card, turning off data roaming or putting your phone on airplane mode, according to Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

You can also get an international cellphone plan. NerdWallet has a list of the “5 of the Best International Cell Phone Plans 2024,” which includes carriers AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Google Fi Wireless and Boost.

Costs for rental cars

When it comes to booking a rental car, you may want to take a closer look at the agreement before signing on the dotted line. In addition to rental insurance and daily rates, many car rental companies charge additional fees for renting a car at the airport or tack on a hidden fee for gas, USA Today said.

Some even charge extra for adding a driver or for drivers under 25. A way around these fees is to find a local rental agency, USA Today suggested. But if you find yourself in the position to rent from a major company, Money.com has a list of the “Best Car Rental Companies” for 2024. It is also worth knowing that AAA members get 20% off on car rentals, free additional drivers and car seats.

Parking fees

Before you pick up your rental car at your vacation destination, you have to leave your own car somewhere. Travelers should be aware of parking fees if they leave their vehicles at local airports or train stations.

Hotels can also charge high parking rates if you leave your car there for the day. Check your hotel’s website for parking fees. In addition, go to the airport website to find out how much it costs to park.

For example, parking at Boston Logan Airport can cost you up to $82 for one day after you initially park, with an additional $41 each day after. Be sure to hang onto your parking ticket because a lost ticket costs another $5 on top of your parking pay total.

Hidden cruise costs

Not only do you get to travel the world, but cruises are also great for having access to shops, restaurants and pools all on one deck. While most cruise lines include access to these activities, some require extra charges.

“If you must work during your cruise, some extras, including Wi-Fi, might be necessary rather than a bonus,” USA Today wrote. “When it comes to food and beverages, many cruises include water and coffee all day and fountain drinks with meals. However, alcoholic beverages usually cost more.”

Some cruise ships also offer premium dining on board at an additional cost, the outlet said. You could also pay more for spa treatments, fitness classes and room service, as well as “taxes, fees and port charges,” The Points Guy reported. Of course, there are also staff tips and paid guided excursions, so you might end up paying more for your worldly travels than you originally signed up for.

Therefore, it’s important to factor these added costs as part of your cruise expenses. Cruise Critic offers solutions to reducing or avoiding 10 common hidden cruise fees such as how to save on land excursions and cutting costs on food and drink options.