The worst airline fees for 2012

If you're flying this summer, especially with your family, get ready to be nickel and dimed with fees.

Boarding fees, preferred seating fees, baggage fees: wait till you see how much these can end up adding to the cost of your flight.

It started 5 years ago with fees for checked bags. Most travelers have adapted to that one.

CNN and Fox News travel expert Andrea Woroch says the fees are now getting out of hand.  New fees include:
    
    --Spirit Airlines $25 carry on bag fee.
    --American's fee of $19 to pre board with children.
    --US Airways $25 frequent flier seat booking fee.
    --Many airlines: now charging more for seats with extra legroom.

Doesn't That Stink?

And from the doesn't that stink file, the newest gotcha fee for travelers:  the international lap baby fee.

While infants still fly free on most flights within the US, on international flights parents will now pay 10 percent to 25 percent of a ticket. That means $250 - $500 in many cases.

Many parents are saying "doesn't that stink."

Of course, safety experts say mom's lap is the most unsafe place for a baby, and suggest buying a ticket and a car seat.

My advice?  If you are flying with kids or with a group, check with the airline in advance to get an idea of the extra fees you may be facing, especially if you have kids and have a lot of luggage.

That way you're not surprised and you don't waste your money.

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