The Travel Tab

And it's not just meals. American Airlines' subsidiary American Eagle this year did a test run of charging passengers $1 for a soda. Last month, the airline eliminated that fee, at least for now. And if you want to catch the in-flight movie, you may be better off bringing your own headphones, otherwise you'll probably have to pay $2 to $5 if you're flying Delta, American, Continental, US Airways or Northwest.

The airlines say many of the costs are added to cover items that might otherwise be taken off a flight because of increased costs. "It's a balance. We are responding to the increasing cost pressures from fuel and government taxes and fees and balancing that with customer requests for simple and less expensive travel," says Gina Laughlin, Delta Air Lines Inc. spokeswoman. Delta is trying to cut its costs while reorganizing under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Northwest Airlines Corp. spokesman Kurt Ebenhoch said the airline began testing a fee for exit-row and aisle seats after many last-minute passengers -- who often pay higher fares -- complained that the preferred seats are not available when they book their flights, the good seats having been snapped up by leisure travelers paying discounted fares booked sometimes months in advance. Ebenhoch said that the test was "exceeding" initial estimates and that the practice would generate at least $15 million in annual revenue and was expected to grow as "more customers become more familiar" with the offering.

Some travelers say the increased charges could send even the most loyal customer fleeing. Falls Church architect Carleton Hawpe said he would take an airline that has a connecting flight that doesn't charge fees for items rather than a non-stop flight on an airline that has numerous fees. "The bottom line for me is the need to respect the customer and understand the customer's needs and provide convenience," he says. "To me, [the fees are] disrespect."

Car Rental

Car-rental companies charge numerous fees, most of them government taxes. But there are others. Most renters already know the best way to avoid having to pay a high gas charge, which could be as much as $4 to $6 a gallon depending on the company, is to return the car with a full tank.

Budget Rent A Car charges an additional $9.50 on all vehicles driven fewer than 75 miles. And last year, after numerous complaints from its major corporate clients, Hertz eventually backed away from its plan to charge customers a $2.50 reservation fee for rentals booked in the United States whether through a Web site or with a Hertz telephone agent.

Hotel

It's not just the airline and car-rental industries adding charges. Since 2003, some full-service hotel properties have begun charging $2.50 to $5 for mini-bar restocking and $1 to $5 for guests who use the in-room safe. Some hotels with spa facilities have been known to automatically charge patrons regardless of whether the pool or health club were used. Some Starwood properties also charge guests about $1 or $2 per bag to store their luggage until they check in or check out of the hotel. And if you want to receive an overnight package while staying at a Hyatt, it could cost between $2 and $6.

The hotel fees vary depending on city and chain, says Bjorn Hanson, an analyst at PricewaterhouseCoopers. For example, one Starwood property may charge a fee in one city, but another property may not.

"Hotels have spent a record amount on capital improvements such as Internet access and flat-screen TVs. Now hotels are looking to recover some of the investment that they made," Hanson says. By charging fees and not increasing the room rate, the hotels in some places are also able to avoid having the fees taxed.