LAS VEGAS -- Some budget airlines charge extra fees when you book a flight online. However, when you book in person, these charges are waived.
So, if you want to save money, go to the airline's ticket counter at the airport and speak with an associate who can waive these fees when you book your trip in person. All you need is an ID, where you wish to fly, and when.
Though this tip can yield savings of nearly $50 on round-trip flights, it also comes with some stipulations, including limited counter hours for some airlines.
Sun County's fee is $22 per passenger per flight segment. A flight segment is a single undivided trip between two cities with one distinct flight number. For example, a nonstop flight from Las Vegas to Chicago has one segment, while a flight from Las Vegas to Chicago with a stopover in Arizona has two segments.
As is the case for other airlines like Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Breeze Airways, the charge is assessed when a customer makes a reservation online or through the airline's call center.
This means that if you purchase one nonstop round-trip ticket, you may be charged $44 on top of the base airfare cost. If you travel with multiple passengers or have layovers, these fees can add up.
For example, if you want to travel as a family of four on nonstop flights -- or even as a couple with connections on both departing and returning flights -- booking online could rack up nearly $200 in fees.
Stephanie Garibay, a spokesperson for the company, said that passengers who buy tickets at the airport do not pay this fee. Still, Garibay said, "a small number" of passengers use this method.
Lukas Johnson, Breeze Airways' chief commercial officer, said that customers can often save on their reservations by booking directly at the airport, where this charge can be waived. However, Johnson added, this method is not always the best way to save.
"To qualify, Guests must purchase their tickets at the ticket counter between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. PT on Tuesdays," Johnson said in an email.