Hidden Fees Abroad: What Travelers Often Miss

Avoiding Hidden Travel Fees Abroad in 2025

Exploring new cultures, tasting local flavors, and immersing yourself in different languages and landscapes are experiences that can transform anyone.

But among flight bookings, hotel reservations, and itinerary planning, there’s one aspect travelers often overlook: the hidden fees charged during international trips.

1. Conversion rates and foreign currency operations

Many Americans traveling to Europe, Latin America, or Asia end up paying an additional 2% to 5% on every purchase made in a foreign currency.

To avoid this type of cost, it’s worth using cards that offer zero foreign transaction fees, such as those issued by some digital banks or travel programs.

2. International withdrawals and ATM use

Even if an ATM shows a reasonable exchange rate, your U.S. bank may still apply a fixed withdrawal fee for overseas transactions—typically between US$3 and US$10 per transaction—in addition to the fee charged by the local bank in the country you’re visiting.

The result is that travelers pay twice for the same operation.

The best advice: always decline automatic currency conversion and let your own bank handle the exchange rate, which is usually fairer.

3. Hotels and the infamous “resort fees”

Cities like Cancún, Dubai, Rome, and Paris have hotels that charge extra under different names: amenity fee, city tax, and service charge—all essentially the same thing.

These fees may cover anything from gym access and Wi-Fi to so-called “municipal tourism taxes.” In popular tourist destinations, resort fees can reach up to US$50 per night.

Before finalizing your reservation, always check the fine print for any mention of extra charges.

4. Airfare and “disguised” charges

Low-cost airlines—especially in Europe and Asia—often advertise attractive ticket prices but hide part of the total cost in separate fees.

Charges for carry-on luggage, seat selection, priority boarding, ticket printing, and even credit card payments are common.

The best strategy is to compare the final total cost directly on the airline’s official website and consider all fees, including baggage.

5. Car rentals and mandatory insurance

Many travelers book rental cars online, tempted by daily rates of US$20 or US$30, only to discover at the counter that the real cost is much higher.

Mandatory insurance, additional driver fees, automatic toll devices, and after-hours return charges are all billed separately.

Before traveling, review your credit card’s policy and print out the insurance certificate in case you need to prove coverage at the rental desk.

6. Connectivity and data plans

U.S. carriers offer international roaming plans, but the daily cost can be steep—averaging US$10 per device.

Many travelers choose to buy an eSIM or local SIM card instead, but it’s important to check for activation fees, speed throttling after a data limit, or short plan validity.

Another useful tip is to use free Wi-Fi whenever possible—but with caution. Public networks in airports and cafés aren’t always secure.

7. Automatic tips and service charges

In many countries—especially across Europe and Latin America — gratuities are automatically added to the bill, typically ranging from 10% to 15%.

Always check whether your receipt includes mentions like “service included” or “servicio” before paying.

Also, in some tourist-heavy restaurants, a cover charge may be added per person, even if you don’t consume the item it refers to (like bread or appetizers).

8. Digital platform fees

Alternative lodging services such as Airbnb are also filled with hidden fees. Cleaning fees, for instance, can cost as much as an extra night’s stay.

The same goes for ticketing platforms, tours, and event bookings—many—gratuities charge processing fees or booking fees that go unnoticed until the very last click.

9. How to protect yourself from hidden fees

• Always read the fine print on bookings and contracts.
• Use cards with no international fees.
• Compare final totals, not just base prices.
• Disable automatic currency conversions on ATMs and payment terminals.
• Check receipts and statements during your trip to catch and dispute unauthorized charges quickly.

Financial planning is just as important as planning your itinerary. Hidden fees aren’t merely annoying—they distort your perception of what your trip truly costs.

Written by

Gabriel Gonçalves