Examining those annoying hidden airline fees

As an industry, airlines have never made money since the Wright brothers.

Because of mismanagement, they've decided to try lining their coffers by coming up with a slew of obnoxious extra charges: pay TV, using the Internet aloft, food and drink. After all, planes aren't flying restaurants or movie theaters, and why should we all pay for a movie that only some of us watch?

Then there're those escalating excess-baggage charges, which can sometimes cost more than your fare, although some airlines (especially international ones) clearly overdo it. But passengers overdo it, too, and an airline ticket should not entitle you to move your entire household by air. Let those who over-pack pay for the privilege.

However, the following fees seem nothing more than new profit centers for the airlines, and whatever additional costs these services could possibly impose on the airlines are clearly lower than what passengers pay.

1. Making a reservation on the phone or in person

Fee: $5 to $45

US Airways is the greediest on this count: $35 to book over the phone, or $45 to book at the airport or at a city ticket office (if you can find one). Can it possibly cost the airline that much for a simple, 10-minute call? Surely it doesn't pay its reservationists that much. United levies $15 for the privilege of speaking to a human. American, JetBlue and Southwest charge $10 (for Internet-only fares in Southwest's case, but it does make exceptions, we were told). Northwest and Virgin America charge just $5.

2. Re-banking frequent-flier miles

Fee: $50 to $100

If you cash in your miles and decide not to use your ticket, you'll be hit with a fee to place the miles back into your account. Why? What cost exactly is involved here on the airlines' part? These tickets are issued electronically, so what's the big deal?

3. Cashing in frequent-flier miles without sufficient advance notice

Fee: $0 to $100

Some airlines will let you book a frequent-flier seat even up to the day of travel with no fee. These include Airtran, JetBlue, Northwest and Southwest. But others (Continental, Delta and United) charge $75 if you book without enough notice (defined as three days on Continental, but an unreasonable 22 days on Delta); and American charges an insane $100 if you book six days or fewer before departure.

4. Bringing a pet onboard

Fee: $50 to $85 (each way)

These fees have skyrocketed lately. Muffy and Buffy won't be ringing the call button for a glass of milk, and they won't be carrying bags or imposing on the airline's bottom line in any way, but their fare might end up costing more than yours. Most airlines now charge $80 each way. On United you'll pay $85, on JetBlue "just" $50.

5. Checking luggage

Fee: $3 to $10 (each way)

We're talking here just about checking even one bag, even if they're not oversized or overweight (that's a whole other story). Spirit Airlines charges $5 for each of the first two bags if paid for online, $10 each otherwise. The third bag costs a whopping $100, more if it's oversized or overweight. SkyBus also charges $5 for the first two, and $50 for each additional. Allegiant charges $3 for the first, $5 for the second. Air Canada gives you a discount for not checking baggage, which is a sneaky way of charging you if you do.

It's not like the airlines are giving us bigger overhead bins, so what's the big idea here? Don't be surprised if you see other airlines following suit.

Get double Amtrak points on fall travel

Amtrak Guest Rewards members can earn more points for travel and other rewards by taking the train with Amtrak's Fall Double Points Promotion. Through Dec. 14, members will receive double points for every qualifying trip taken on any route. To take advantage of the promotion, travelers must be Amtrak Guest Rewards members and must first register at www.amtrakguestrewards.com/91707 or by calling (800) 307-5000, selecting option 2 and using registration code 91707.

Members may earn double points on up to two qualifying trips per day (one round trip or two one-way trips). Remember to include your membership number when making reservations. The promotion does not apply to travel Nov. 20-27.

If you're not a member, you can enroll at www.amtrakguestrewards.com, and new members will earn 500 bonus points for enrolling and traveling within 90 days of enrollment.

Book New England winter packages

The historic 15,000-acre BALSAMS Grand Resort Hotel in New Hampshire's White Mountains is offering a variety of winter packages this season for couples, families and ski enthusiasts.

The first is the Ski Free deal starting at $89 per night, per person, based on double occupancy, available Sunday to Thursday from January through March. This package includes lodging, breakfast in the dining room, lift tickets and trail passes for cross-country skiing. Enter promo code SKIFREE when booking this package online.

Families can take advantage of the Frosty Family Fun Package, starting at $289 per night, per suite, for up to four people. The package includes accommodations in a two-bedroom family suite for up to four people; full buffet breakfast for four; resort activities including ice skating and snowshoeing; nightly entertainment; homemade cookies; and a stuffed moose for every child. The package is available Sunday through Thursday and subject to availability.

Couples looking for a romantic getaway can book the Passion Package. For $139 per night, couples will receive an overnight stay and have access to the numerous activities offered during their stay.

Listed as the No. 1 resort for dining in the U.S. on Conde Nast Traveler's 2007 Gold List, the BALSAMS Grand Resort Hotel offers 202 individually decorated guestrooms and suites, four dining venues and year-round recreation. In addition to the amenities and activities already mentioned, also available are alpine skiing, culinary demonstrations and children's programs, including Camp Wind Whistle, a supervised program for children ages 5 to 10-plus. For reservations and information, visit www.thebalsams.com or call (877) 225-7267.

Reach George Hobica at hobica@gmail.com, Kim Liang Tan at KimLiangTan@aol.comor log on to www.airfarewatchdog.com.