Peter Greenberg: Airline Pet Fees

By: Peter Greenberg | Source: AARP.org | 2009-06-25

Hi, Peter. My 70-year-old mom flies in from Louisiana to visit me several times a year. She stays a few weeks. She likes to bring her small dog with her. When she first started visiting years ago, the airline pet fees were $50 each way. Now many of them cost $150 each way. Why are the fees so high for a carry-on dog kennel that sits under the seat? Which airline has the cheapest pet fees? Are there any discounts for seniors?
–Stacey, Knoxville, Tenn.
 
Over the last year or so, airlines have raised their fees (or started charging fees) for such things as checking baggage and buying tickets over the phone in order to raise revenue and boost their sagging bottom lines at a time when many of them are facing bankruptcy. Unfortunately, pet fees are part of this trend, and the costs are going nowhere but up.
 
Charges up to $150 or even $175 are common on the older, legacy airlines, such as United, Continental, and Delta, while budget carriers such as AirTran, Spirit, and Jet Blue tend to be a bit lower, at $69, $85, and $75, respectively. There are no discounts for seniors.
 
The fees are subject to change at any time, so to be safe, have your mother call the airline or check its Web site before booking to find out what the current fee is. The only way she can get around the fee is to leave the dog at home or in a kennel when she visits, or to drive instead of fly.