Gas prices affect everything and everyone. All you have to do is walk into any store and see the prices of products and how they have increased recently. The same holds true for the cost of your airline tickets. On average they have increased by ten percent and some airlines even more so than that.
If you have been following the news lately then you already know that many airlines are looking for many ways to keep the price of tickets down to a minimum as gas prices rise. This is not an easy task for them. If you want to get a better understanding of what I mean, all you need to do is look towards your own lifestyle. As gas prices have exceeded four dollars per gallon in many parts of the country what have you had to cut back on to make sure you can put fuel in your tank so you can get back and forth to work everyday.
The airline industry is no different. Today most airlines are looking for different yet creative ways to keep prices down. Some airlines have removed the service of all food and beverages while others have removed all unnecessary weight from the airplanes such as too many magazines.
Many of the major airlines have taken it a step further and now restrict the number of bags you can bring and their weight. They have even added a surcharge by as much as fifteen dollars per bag for any bag that you check in regardless of its weight. Before you fly or even before you purchase your ticket, call the airline you intend to fly with and see what kind of extra fees they will be charging you. While you are on the phone ask them how many bags you are allowed to check and what the maximum weight they should be is. The normal number and weight these days are two bags not to exceed fifty pounds per bag, and no you can not bring one bag that will weigh one hundred pounds. Even though it is the same weight, I am sure the airline employees do not want to carry anything that heavy.
Learn how to pack your bags properly and only bring what you absolutely need. If you can purchase it at your destination and it can save you room and weight in your bag then by all means do so. There is no need to drag something along when you can get it where you are going.
I own a hard case piece of luggage. The case by itself weighs twenty pounds and although I absolutely love the case I know in today's world of airline travel it is no longer practical. If you own a hard case switch to a soft case and carry anything that might be breakable with you on the plane (if you can).
Finally, beyond all the new rules and regulations that you will face these days when you travel, you can avoid any undo stress by getting to the airport at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. You never know what issues may arise so by getting there early you will have plenty of time to deal with those issues and still make your flight.
About the Author:
Mr. Tucker is the senior editor for Vacation Nation, an online vacation resource where you can learn about various destinations and travel tips.
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