Looking over my credit card bill for my recent (last month) trip to California, I realize that my initial budgeting for the trip was slightly inadequate--mostly due to unforeseen extra fees that I really hadn't taken into consideration--like the daily cost of hotel parking.

After visiting my parents, I missed my flight back to New York by two minutes (long story!). I was quickly rebooked on the next flight that left 30 minutes later; the process was so simple that I felt there must be a catch. There was no mention of a charge at the airport; but checking my statement---sure enough there's a flight change fee of $50.

Anyway, just curious to hear your "live and learn" stories of the hidden fees you've encountered. What charges do you look out for (and maybe try to avoid all together?)

Don't rent a car in Ireland with your one credit card that covers the CDW - and then leave that credit card at home.


Also, don't forget to drop off the keys for the rental car as you are sprinting to your plane, just because the office is closed and you can't find the drop off box!

Don't forget tips if you are traveling to a country that expects them for service, for maids, for bellboys, etc.

Add gas/petrol into the equation as well!

Don't forget ferry costs/tolls.

- When booking plane tickets, hotels, rental cars etc, always check the <b>final</b> charges before clicking on the &quot;BOOK&quot; button. The taxes &amp; fees can easily be an additional 10-25% of the base price.

- If you are a &quot;audioguide&quot; person, check the museum website beforehand to see if the audioguide is included in admission or is extra

- Remember that most US airlines now charge a fee (~$25) for a 2nd checked luggage for domestic flights

- In European restaurants, some countries automatically add a &quot;cover charge&quot; (eg Italy), or some countries charge for bread (eg Spain)

- When taking a taxi, some charges extra for lugguage, or extra for after hours

- When booking a hotel, make sure you understand the cancellation policy. Most hotels allow free cancellation if done 24-48 hours before arrival, but some will charge a 5% fee even if you do it way in advance

- When driving in the NorthEast USA, many Interstates have tolls

- In Europe, when you attend a symphony concert or opera, the programmes are not free

- Many museums charge extra for special exhibitions. E.g. the National Gallery in London is free, but their blockbuster exhibitions charge &pound;10

A lot of these &quot;hidden&quot; fees are things I cannot avoid. That's why my trips always end up more than what I thought would be.

Well never say never, but so far I am unwilling to pay a &quot;single supplement&quot;. No way Jose.

I check these things before I leave for my trip. I check admissions, hotel parking, etc. When I work out my budget for the trip, I set up the preliminary numbers at the highest end of what I am willing to pay.

If the highest room rate I'm willing to pay is $100, then I calculate it at $120 to include taxes, etc.

I plug in the high end for airfare.

I calculate the car rental at the highest rate I'm willing to pay, then add an additional 20%.

I calculate the expected mileage I'll be driving, then round it up to the nearest 100th or 1000th, then I estimate the gas cost at 10mph and $1.00 over the current price per gallon.

For food, admissions and shopping, I add up the planned admissions, a budget for shopping and a budget for meals. I add it all up, round it up so there's a cushion, and that is my per diem.

I add all this up and this is the amount I set aside for the trip.

Then, as I make reservations, etc., I plug in the actual amounts into my worksheet. If I budgeted $1000 for the airfare, but it only cost $500 after fees, etc., then I have $500 to add to my per diem.

I don't reduce the mileage estimate because that's the most volatile. As long as I calculate the cost at 10mph, I'm unlikely to fall short - although with gas prices these days, it's not as much cushion as I like.

So far, since using this system, I have not spent more on the trip than I budgeted. But, my first trip, I ran out of money halfway through the trip so I'm extra careful.

With hotel reservations Katie I always ask if there are additional fees. In that I never use a hotel refrigerator I refuse the key to the refrigerator when checking in. I always ask about phone charges if I use the hotel room phone. Normally I don't as I use my cellphone but I want to know what their charges are anyway.

Katie, I figure a budget and then figure the trip will cost an additional 20% more. Rather like construction costs, lol. And anyone that has ever hired a contractor will know what I mean.

Little things one doesn't always think of, a drink, food, reading material at the airport for example. Tips that you hadn't thought of. Higher prices then last time for taxis.

There are always unexpected extra expenses so at least adding on 20% over the budget hopefully gives one a more realistic picture of the cost of the trip.

Arthur Frommer had a good recent blog posting on the many new airline fees this year (which I've started calling The Year of the Fees):

http://www.frommers.com/blog/2008/04...-added-to.html

When I flew to London late last year, I found some great fares, but the various taxes and fees ended up being more than the actual fares!

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These are great... I always warn visitors coming to New York to remember the tax on hotel rooms; it makes a big difference if you're trying to stick to a specific budget.