Most hated passenger charge: Bag fees

The world’s airlines collect more than $27 billion in passenger fees a year, according to one estimate. Of those, the most hated are the baggage fees.

That was the conclusion of a survey by the travel website Airfarewatchdog.com, which polled more than 6,100 travelers on the topic of “the worst major airline fees.”

When asked to name the fee they hate the most, 48% of website visitors named baggage fees, 38% said flight change or cancellation fees, 6% said advance seat-selection fees and 5% said they hate reservation-by-phone fees.

Airlines charge between $15 and $25 to check the first bag, with charges that go as high as $100 or more for oversized luggage.

“It’s the most annoying fee because most people can’t avoid them,” said George Hobica, founder of Airfarewatchdog. “A lot of people don’t have a choice about carrying a bag.”

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