For Flyers, It's Going to be a Fee-rocious Summer

— -- First, some good news on the airline fee front, and as usual it's from Southwest. The popular carrier just announced a bunch of new routes to Mexico, and Caribbean and Central American resort destinations but what's nice is Southwest treats international tickets the same as domestic: If you change your mind about traveling, you pay no change fee, a fee that can range from $200 to $400 on some airlines.

Leaving money on the table is pretty daring of Southwest in this era of charging for any and everything, but Southwest is doing just fine without the change fee. Yes, it makes money off other fees but not as much as some airlines: overall last year, U.S. carriers racked up $3 billion from change fees alone. Considering there was another $3.5 billion in baggage fees, expect them to keep on coming in 2015.

Sometimes fees appear in disguise. For example, Delta's recent Basic Economy class has the airline's cheapest fares but does not offer advanced seat selection; for that, you must pay a little more for "regular" economy, which sure sounds like a seat fee in disguise.

Bottom line: If you haven't been on a plane in a while, expect a fee-rocious summer and I list some here along with tips on how to avoid the worst of it.

Temporary higher baggage fees

Spirit has unapologetically raised baggage fees for summer, in some cases by $10 round-trip but this isn't anything new. They got passengers into the holiday spirit late last year with higher fees for Christmas/New Year's. Seasonal fee hikes on discount European carriers are not uncommon either, so if heading abroad, watch out.

Permanently higher bag fees

Frontier is following the Spirit model closely, and that goes for fees on every bag from full-sized Samsonites to bin-sized carry-ons. Just a couple of weeks ago, it raised some bag fees permanently and because Frontier's fees are complicated, it's worth studying before you pack.

Expected new bag fee

JetBlue threw in the towel late last year and announced a first checked-bag fee was on the way, but when? All signs point to June 30, just in time for summer.

Avoid bag fees

Use a carry-on, because most airlines don't charge for these bags. True, Allegiant, Frontier and Spirit do, but they will allow very small carry-ons for free provided they fit under the seat. Alternative: Some branded credit cards give you a checked-bag for free, and of course, there's always Southwest with free bags for all.

Family boarding fees

It wasn't so long ago that gate agents would always announce first and business class would board first, followed by families with little ones. Haven't heard that in a while, have you? Let's face it, the relatively new boarding fees are just too good not to collect, and while they're not aimed at families, they're aimed at just about everyone. If you want to get on first, be prepared to pay.

Avoid boarding fees

In some cases, a polite request to be allowed on early sometimes works but be prepared to give a good reason. Another idea is to use a branded credit card that includes this perk (some cards even waive bag fees). Your last resort is to ask a fellow passenger to swap seats so you can sit with your child but if that person has paid good money for an aisle seat, don't expect much.

Hungry/thirsty fees

Everyone should know by now that the days of free meals in coach are as dead as fawning flight attendants, so bring a lunch or be prepared to make a feast out of a quarter-ounce packets of peanuts. Bring your own water on the super discounters, too (Allegiant, Frontier, Spirit) because even that will cost you.

Avoid food/water fees

JetBlue and Southwest still offer decent-sized (and decent-tasting) snacks for free. As for water, more and more airports have water bottle filling stations, so bring an empty through security and fill 'er up to avoid $5 water at the airport newsstand.

Worst fee ever

This would be the itinerary change fee we talked about earlier, which is incurred when dates are moved (or cancelled) on non-refundable tickets. This "privilege" costs an extra $200 for many domestic and Caribbean flights and as much as $400 for international travel on at least one airline.

Avoid change fees

Think fast, because airlines are required to give you 24 hours after booking to change your mind without penalty. Even better, think ahead to nail down your dates but we understand emergencies happen (we understand but the airlines, not so much). Again, some credit cards will cover this fee but not all. Last resort for those whose plans are up in the air: fly the change fee-free airline, Southwest.

Fees are here to stay. But with a bit of ingenuity and a maybe a little sacrifice of comfort, you don't have to pay them.