The cost of a family holiday starts creeping up long before you’ve packed a suitcase. You spot a bargain flight, click through to book, and suddenly you’re faced with a long list of extras: checked bags, seat selection, priority boarding, airport hotels, lounge access, in-flight meals and more.
As a family travel expert and mum of two, I’ve learned that not all add-ons are created equal. Some genuinely reduce stress and improve the travel experience, making them worth every penny. Others can quickly add hundreds to the cost of a trip without offering much value in return.
Here are the flight extras I always consider spending money on – and the ones I’m usually happy to skip.
Checked luggage (sometimes)
Sharing a big, checked-in suitcase can be a sound investment (Photo: Oscar Wong/Getty Images)
