Budget travel with pets requires some homework. Pet travel is one of those topics that deserves research, not only to save money, but to provide the best possible situation for your pet.
Pet transport: airlines and buses
Pet travel on airlines is divided into two categories: carry-on baggage and carry-on baggage. As you can imagine, both methods of transporting your favorite pet are getting more and more expensive.
Fares of at least $ 100 USD one way are now common. It’s one of those airline fees that could have been around in some form for years. Expect these fees to slowly increase over time.
Like the baggage fee schedules, travelers should dig into the website maps of their favorite airlines to find information on pet fees. For example, I found United’s pet fees within the web center for “travel information.” For your domesticated pet to travel with you in the cabin, reservations are required on flights with space available for pets in the cabin. If space is available, there is a one-way fee of $ 125.
Advance reservations are essential when traveling with pets, so you can miss out on last minute deals.
Pet owners argue that since they have paid for legroom as part of their fee, placing a small animal carrier under the seat should not necessarily incur another charge.
But airlines need revenue to survive, and they are getting pretty good at finding new ways to raise money, charging for blankets, snacks and sodas on some flights.
Shipping larger pets as cargo can be extremely expensive. US Airways won’t do it at all, citing high temperatures in central cities like Las Vegas and Phoenix.
For budget travelers, there is sometimes good news on the pet front. The rates of some operators have fallen in recent years.
The New York Times , for example, reported some time ago that Delta had reduced its pet fees from $ 275 to $ 175, and the charge is now $ 125 each way for pets that are carried on a flight, down from $ 175. 150).
Keep in mind that airlines approach this problem with a variety of philosophies.
Frontier did not accept pets in their cabins, only as cargo. A spokesperson called that policy a “customer service problem” because some passengers have allergies or simply a low tolerance for other people’s pets. But Frontier now allows certain domesticated pets in its cabins. Frontier’s pet policy is quite specific and should be read carefully before heading to the airport.
Most of the major bus lines in the United States do not allow the transport of animals other than service dogs. Since budget travelers sometimes take the bus, this is not good news. Plan accordingly.
Pets and Hotels
Many reasonably priced hotels will add a pet fee. The reason pet-friendly rooms need constant attention, and it costs money. Most places will also hold you responsible for any damage your pet does to carpets or other furniture. If your dog barks at night and causes another guest to leave on the first day of a planned three-day stay, expect to hear from him and pay compensation for the loss.
Other places, of course, will not allow pets at any cost.
To get a better handle on these acceptance lines, visit PetsWelcome.com. Here, they claim to have a database of 25,000 pet-friendly hotels, B & Bs, ski resorts, campgrounds, and beaches. Don’t automatically assume that your planned hotel bans pets if it’s not on your list. Use this resource as a starting point for pricing hotels that will accept your pet, along with additional charges.
Another useful feature here is an international database that includes pet policies in dozens of countries.
Pets and Trains
Amtrak has a no pets policy. The only exceptions allowed on Amtrak trains are for small pets and for service animals accompanying passengers with disabilities.
It’s a different image on board most trains in Europe. Busy lines in France, Germany, and Italy generally allow pets, as do national rail-operated trains in England. For a good directory of train policies and prices, see PetTravel.com.
Other useful links for traveling with pets
BringFido.com offers a list of “pet friendly destinations” and travel considerations for dogs, including 10 tips for flying with Fido.
GoPetFriendly.com offers a database of service providers in the US Pet sitters, kennels, and vets are just a few clicks away from many popular destinations.
PetTravel.com provides a helpful list of what airlines expect in terms of pet carrier size and construction. Here you can buy an airline that fits your budget and your airline’s requirements. With that in mind, PetTravel offers links to the airline’s rules for transporting pets.
