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Hidden fees can be costly and can come as a nasty surprise if a company doesn’t openly disclose them. Whether you lose your car keys, buy theater tickets from a vendor, or have a foreign transaction deposited in your bank account, these sneaky fees can add up over time.
The problem with these unexpected fees is that you can rarely get them back. The company says the fees are disclosed on their website or in print. However, most of the time, you’d need a magnifying glass to read the tiny text.
These are 16 of the sneakiest hidden fees you may come across. Be prepared and avoid these unnecessary costs.
1. Foreign Transaction Fees
You’re on vacation abroad, having a fabulous time and using your credit cards to pay for everything, knowing when you return home, you’ll clear the balance before interest kicks in.
When your credit card bill arrives, don’t be surprised by sneaky foreign transaction fees, which can be up to 3% of the cost of your purchases. Use credit cards that waive foreign transaction fees or pay with cash.
2. PayPal Subscriptions
PayPal makes it easy to pay for goods, services, and subscriptions. However, cancel monthly payments if you no longer wish to use a service. Otherwise, the company will keep charging your PayPal account. Log in and look for “recurring payments” and filter for “active.”
Another PayPal tip is to check that you opt for payments using your balance first before deducting them from your bank account.
3. Buy Directly From the Box Office
Buying tickets for concerts, theaters, and other events directly from the venue’s box office is generally cheaper than purchasing from an online ticket vendor.
However, since online ticket vendors need to make a profit and cover the costs of maintaining their website, they may add extra fees to the standard costs. Although they make their offers seem tempting, we recommend checking the box office prices first.
4. Hotel Check-in Surprises
Most vacationers don’t know that some hotels in popular tourist destinations charge resort fees, which can be as high as $30 a night. It’s natural to assume your hotel room price is all-inclusive.
It’s best to contact the hotel to ask whether they impose resort fees. If they do, it’s worth negotiating a better deal.
5. Prepaid Cash Cards
The saying “there’s no such thing as a free lunch” applies to prepaid cash cards. These cards are convenient for accessing cash without credit, but read the small print before signing the dotted line.
Most prepaid cards have an activation fee, monthly maintenance, or swipe fee. These fees may seem minor but can add up if you use the card often.
6. Outrageous Overdraft Fees
Some banks lure you into opening an account, promising cheaper banking, but they forget to mention the ludicrous overdraft fees if you dare use a service they’re willing to offer. These costs can be over $30 when your account goes overdrawn.
There are two ways to navigate this issue. First, check with the bank to find out precisely what the overdraft fees are. Second, download the bank’s app and register for overdraft alert notifications.
7. Beware of Free Checking Accounts
Do banks offer truly free checking accounts? Check the small print for a proviso or a hidden fee lurking somewhere. They may charge fees on a minimum balance, such as $1,000 or more, and you may have to maintain that balance or face a fee.
Before opening a new bank account promising “free” banking, clarify the terms for keeping the account fee-free.
8. Free Credit Card Balance Transfer Fees
How wonderful, you think. You transfer your credit card balance of a few thousand dollars to a new provider promising a 0% interest rate. You daydream about all the money you will save, and then you get the bill and see a whopping 4% surcharge fee for transferring your balance. What happened? That wasn’t part of the plan.
Check the small print before making the transfer.
9. Sneaky Hotel Fees
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Stop yourself from opening the mini bar in your hotel room. That tiny bottle of wine or whisky could cost you as much as a regular-sized bottle of alcohol.
The same goes for tempting snacks. You pay a hefty charge for convenience. The hotel might charge additional fees if you ask for anything extra in the room, like spare towels. Check fees before booking in.
10. Don’t Lose the Car Rental Keys
Whatever you do, don’t lose the rental car keys when you’re on vacation. Let the most responsible person in the family hold onto them. You could face a ridiculously high fee of about $300 for your oversight. The same goes for the hotel key.
Hand the key or key card to the front desk when you head out for the day to avoid fees upwards of $25 if you lose the key.
11. Watch Out for Cable TV Provider Fees
Your cable provider may announce they’re keeping prices the same, but check for additional fees that creep up over the months. You might be paying for channels you never watch.
You can save money by negotiating fees for cable packages or Internet services. Tell the company you’re considering switching to a different provider, and you may get a discount.
12. Surprising Out-Of-Network ATM Fees
You head out of state for a road trip and, along the way, use various ATMs. Some may be through other banks. These are the ones to watch. You could pay over $4 per cash withdrawal for using an ATM that isn’t associated with your bank.
Before traveling, check if your bank has an app listing ATM locations.
13. Sneaky Home Buyers Closing Fees
If you’re a first-time buyer, this tip could save you money. Closing fees can be mind-bogglingly expensive when added together. These could include survey and search fees, loan origination fees, and other sneaky add-ons.
Before starting the buying process, find out exactly what fees you will pay on closing and negotiate better prices.
14. Surprising Airport Exit Fees
You’ve had a fantastic vacation and are glowing as you head through customs. Then, you get whacked with an exit/tourist fee of about $25.
Yes, you must pay to leave, which seems unfair. Where does that money go anyway? Research the exit fee costs for the planned destination as part of your travel planning. At least then, it’s not a shock.
15. Leave a Suitcase at Home
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Most of us take too much baggage when we travel, especially when we live in the same pair of shorts and a T-shirt while away.
If your suitcase exceeds the airport’s recommended weight limits, baggage fees will be added. This is an easy problem to avoid. Take less stuff or weigh the bag on the bathroom scales. It should be less than 50 pounds.
16. Eating Out Costs You More
With rising food and utility costs, restaurants worldwide struggle to keep prices competitive. When you pay for your delicious meal with a credit card, the providers charge the restaurant up to a 3% “swipe fee” per transaction.
Many restaurants charge a credit card surcharge to help cover these costs. These charges can be expensive if you’re having a family meal.
17. Costly Food Delivery and Rideshare Apps
With rising gas prices, some food delivery and rideshare apps are adding fuel fees. It’s a competitive industry that must strive to find reliable drivers.
Most companies tack on a fuel fee to cover the higher pay and fuel costs to keep their drivers happy and working. While the decision is understandable, you may notice the rising food delivery or rideshare prices.
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