I remember when flying was both fun and affordable. While I still love to fly, the extra costs associated with flying in today’s world have me weighing my options more today than I once did. With the demand for travel rapidly increasing, it comes as no surprise airlines are trying to get the biggest bang for the buck charging customers less expensive airline tickets only to tack on hidden fees after the fact.

You may think you are saving dollars with these airlines, but with their a la carte menu options, the opposite can be quite true.

Here’s a list of the airlines that charge the most hidden fees.

Jet Blue Airlines

JetBlue airplane landing near a beach with resorts and palm trees in the background under a blue sky with clouds. — Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Jet Blue Airlines is one of the many airlines that does not provide the consumer with cost savings. This airline most recently updated their baggage fees distinguishing between on and off-peak season charges without announcing this to customers. If you’re booking your flight during a period Jet Blue determines is peak season, you will pay more for your baggage.

Be sure to measure and weigh your baggage before check-in at the airport. Jet Blue charges a distinct $150 for any baggage over the allowable dimensions and another $150 for any baggage exceeding the maximum acceptable weight for checked bags. This exceeds the cost of booking the actual flight in most instances!

If you’re looking for early onboarding preferences such as early access to the overhead bins, that unfortunately comes with a cost to your wallet. Are you cold on your flight? Need a pillow? That’s going to cost you too flying with JetBlue! This airline appears to come in at the lower end, yet they are still part of the namely budget-friendly airline family.

United Airlines

United Airlines is one of the well-known airlines in the aviation industry. Over the years this airline has followed suit with some of its’ counterparts charging for services that were once offered at no additional cost. United’s hidden fees surpass some competitors, such as Delta and American Airlines. Are you booking a flight over the phone? Easy $25 charge!

Don’t bother changing your flight plans at the airport with a United representative in person. Easy $50 charge! United takes the cake with their astronomical fee of anywhere from $100-$400 if your baggage exceeds their maximum weight of 50 pounds or above 70 pounds, per baggage, per flight!!

Sun Country Airlines

Sun Country Airlines falls in line with the other airlines charging customers the most hidden fees. The difference lies in the cost per item you’re being charged. Like other airlines, Sun Country Airlines charges for cancellations or changes to your itinerary.

This airline, as well as all of its competitors, also charges a hidden fee most people are not aware of unless you look at the breakdown of your airline ticket charges. It’s the passenger or security fee. This fee can total up to approximately $18 one way depending on the duration of your flight.

Do you need to make a change to your flight itinerary but you booked your flight through a third-party provider? Get ready for this Airline to charge you another hidden fee to accommodate your requested flight changes.

The major difference with this airline is the checked baggage fees are much lower for exceeding the maximum allowable baggage weight.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines follows suit with its competitors ranking them the second airline with the most hidden fees, along with their available a la carte menu selection.

While this can seem advantageous to the solo or light traveler, there’s no cost savings for the family of four with luggage for the parents and kids in tow. The disappointing news with these a la carte options is many travelers are not aware of these hidden costs until after they’ve already booked their airline tickets.

Spirit’s highest hidden fees are found in their baggage and the fees apply per person per flight. If I were you, I’d eat before getting on your Spirit flight or you’ll pay additional fees for that meal and drink. Spirit charges for the same amenities as Frontier, yet their maximum baggage weight limits vary.

Be sure to verify those weight limitations before booking your flight through Spirit. Directly put, you will pay additional fees for anything above and beyond your flight ticket with your highest hidden fees residing in your carry-on and checked baggage.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines boasts its’ cheap airfares ranking number one with its competitors for the most hidden fees. Shockingly these initial cheap airfares are gaining attention among travelers.

The airline advertises their flights for an exceedingly low cost which almost seems too good to be true – because it is! Frontier provides an a la carte experience for its customers. Buy your airline ticket cheaply and get ready to potentially spend more than you would be booking through a full-service airline provider.

Frontier’s a la carte menu charges additional fees for anything outside of booking your flight. Think seat selection, boarding preferences, online check-in versus in-person, on-flight food/drinks, Wi-Fi, carrier interface charge (CIC), and baggage. Booking your flight with Frontier online or via phone, you will be charged the CIC fee.

According to Frontier, this aids in their cost to maintain customer’s technology services. The baggage fees for carry-on or checked baggage tend to be the highest, doubling in price if you exceed the maximum weight allowance. Flying solo and packing light may work for you. Otherwise, I recommend looking at other airlines.