If you're flying this summer, you should know about airline fees and do some planning to avoid whatever fees you can. Everybody knows about charges for checked baggage, but some of our family members were shocked to find that USAirways charges for "preferred" seating (anything that isn't a middle seat!) when we flew south last month. Bud asked for a pillow on the same airline, and the flight attendant said, "I am humiliated to tell you that I have to charge you $7 for a pillow or blanket." Jeez!

Hold that bag: Think about luggage fees first, although it's not always best to book only on the airlines that have, for example, no fees for your first checked bag. At the moment, this would restrict you to Jet Blue and Southwest. Do the math - if the fare on USAirways or American for the same itinerary is $40 less and you have to pay $15 for a checked bag, you're still ahead by $25 even if you pay for a bag. That's enough for a few Mohitos at your destination! Naturally, each airline is different, so check with yours, or download an up-to-date chart of fees that covers most domestic airlines at smartertravel.com. You can also consider traveling with carry-on only. Most airlines allow a 40-pound bag (as opposed to 50 pounds for a checked bag). We find this is more than enough for most long weekends or even a week at a beach destination where you live in your bathing suit. An added benefit to carry-on is that your bag won't get lost - unless you do. Try it!

Drinks, snacks, pillows and blankies: Unless you're in first or business class, anything more than a soft drink or water will probably cost you. On our USAirways flight, for example, we got complimentary water/juice - but nary a peanut or pretzel. The flight was short (under four hours) and also mid-afternoon, so we were okay. We'd lunched at the airport beforehand and would arrive before supper. If your flight is longer, very early morning, you have kids, or your itinerary covers a prime meal time (10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. etc.) consider carrying on your own food. Sticking with sandwiches or one of those ubiquitous individually wrapped snacks - cheese sticks, cheese and crackers, cookies - is easiest. Just remember to avoid anything like yogurt or a drink until after you make it through security. Kiosks and shops with food/drink items now line most airport concourses. As for pillows/blankies (I am always cold on airplanes and those nasty coach seats kill my back), I wear a fleece/sweater even in summer and tuck a large, lightweight scarf/throw in my carry-on. The throw becomes a blanket and I roll the sweater behind my lower back for lumbar support.

Hidden bennies: Frequent flyers with preferred status (i.e. fly more than 25,000 miles a year on a given airline) have many of these fees waived, especially luggage fees and fees for the better seats. Normally, your status will be taken into account automatically when you book - but you must remember to enter your frequent flyer number when you book online, or make sure your travel agent uses it whenever booking you! But don't despair if you're not up in the high-flyer league. Check the benefits that come with your credit card(s). Some cards, like USAirways Signature VISA/MC series and some American Express cards, allow you (and your party) to board with first class passengers. Bypass those horrific coach lines and get settled ahead of the throng. Some cards even provide club access on certain itineraries . . . wow!

So before you fly, do your homework - and do read the fine print on your credit card. Your comfort is at stake!

(E-mail Chase Binder at ChaseBinder@comcast.net.)