5. Avoid Basic Economy

When you’re searching for flight tickets, you’ve probably noticed the lowest advertised prices are described as Basic Economy. While a “basic” flight may be what you need to travel from one place to another, it’s important to know what’s included in the price and what’s not.

Basic Economy fares usually don’t let you choose a seat ahead of time. This means that you’ll receive a seat on the plane when you check in, and it may or may not be anywhere near those you’re flying with.

In fact, Basic Economy fares don’t include a carry-on bag either. In other words, you’ll need to pay extra dollars if you want to check a bag and perhaps even bring anything larger than a purse or backpack on the plane.

The bottom line: You may want to avoid Basic Economy if you want to bring a carry-on bag and pick a seat without any additional charges. The plane ticket may be cheaper, but you’ll have to pay extra money along the way.