People wait in a security line at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Aug. 12, 2026, in the Queens borough of New York City. A union representing 47,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers is suing the TSA over a new program introduced by the Trump administration aimed at expanding the privatization of airport security screening called TSA Gold+. The union claims that the private-public partnership for TSA Gold+, which would allow airports to hire outside contractors for airport security, was carried out without formal disclosure or the union's involvement. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images/TNS)
Travelers often focus on the big-ticket expenses when planning a getaway—airfare, hotel rooms, and rental cars—but it’s often the little extras that quietly inflate the final bill. From checked baggage fees and airport parking to resort charges and premium seat selections, travel add-ons can turn an affordable vacation into a budget-busting experience.
The Points Guy reports that holiday airfare in 2026 is up an average of 23% due to rising oil prices, with Thanksgiving flights increasing by 31%.
People wait in a security line at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Aug. 12, 2026, in the Queens borough of New York City. A union representing 47,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers is suing the TSA over a new program introduced by the Trump administration aimed at expanding the privatization of airport security screening called TSA Gold+. The union claims that the private-public partnership for TSA Gold+, which would allow airports to hire outside contractors for airport security, was carried out without formal disclosure or the union's involvement. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images/TNS)
