Don't Purchase Flight Ancilliary Services

You’ve declined enough pop-ups to know how much airlines love to cross-sell. These extras typically fall into three categories: additional services provided by the airline (e.g. seat selection), third-party offers (e.g. hotels) and financial products (e.g. insurance). The first are often unnecessary, the second always a bad deal and the third never worth it. Let's break it down.

Airline services

Seat selection

Pay only on pure low-cost carrier, and if the total price is still lower than what you get with a higher fare class or with a traditional airline. Otherwise, flights are often under-occupied, and there are various ways to secure a decent seat for free.

Extra luggage

A backpack around 33x53x33cm (13x21x13in) is a great compromise. It offers the same capacity as a carry-on suitcase, is usually accepted as a personal item on traditional airlines, and its soft design often fits low-cost carrier size checks. Flights tend to target wheeled bags for gate checks, so it's less likely to be taken away. Weight limits on carry-on are rarely enforced beyond the check-in counter, which you can avoid by checking in online if you need extra kilos. If they ask to weight it, move items to to the side temporarily. For checked luggage, you can't always avoid it, but if you are traveling with a light-packing friend or someone with status, they can check it in for you.

Third-party offers

Rental cars

Never book a rental car through an airline. Going through a third-party entails plenty of risks. For instance, if you don't get the car you expected, the rental company will likely blame the intermediary and refuse to help. These options are not cheaper, they're simply affiliate deals designed to earn commissions for the airline.

Hotels

Same as rental cars, booking through an intermediary introduces complexities and risks that can complicate your trip. It's better to book with reputable providers, or even better, directly with the hotel.

Financial add-ons

Insurance

This is a hard no. You are likely already covered by your credit card or an existing insurance policy. If you're not, it's better to purchase a standalone policy. You can generally get a yearly coverage for the same price as two or three single-trip policies.

Price guarantee

There is already a 24-hour free cancellation policy in place. If you find a better deal, you can cancel and rebook without any penalty.

Credit card

Cabin staff often offer credit card sign-ups with the promise of miles or other benefits. These "special offers" are not better than what you can find on your own. If you're interested in a credit card, do your research and find the best one for you.

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