How to avoid the travel fees quietly inflating your vacation costs

With summer travel season around the corner, chances are your next getaway is already on your mind. But if you've been waiting for airfare prices to finally drop, you're not imagining things — they haven't. Airfares were up 21% year over year as of April, according to the Consumer Price Index , and that's before you've even paid for checked bags. This spring, every major airline raised checked bag fees by another $10, pushing the typical first checked bag to $45 each way — or $90 round trip just to bring luggage. Add in seat selection fees that now average $33, plus carry-on charges on budget airlines and extras like priority boarding, and that "cheap" ticket suddenly doesn't look so cheap anymore. Here's how to avoid paying most of those added costs. Checked bag fees For those who favor Delta, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card might be your new best friend. It waives the first checked bag fee for you and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation, which means a family of four on a round trip could save up to $360 in bag fees alone, more than enough to offset the $150 annual fee. On the American Express site On the American Express site $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 You may be eligible for as high as 80,000 Bonus Miles See rates and fees , terms apply. Read our Amex Delta Gold review . Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Welcome Offer: To view your personalized offer, you must first submit an application. …