Show
Whether domestic or international, traveling with a dog can get complicated. Here’s what goes into the cost to fly a dog—or any other pet.By Kristina Russo | American Express Credit Intel Freelance Contributor 4 Min Read | December 20, 2019 in Travel At-A-GlanceBringing your dog or other pet on vacation or other trips adds complexity and cost. It can pay to know the different pet-related policies and fees of airlines and hotels. Fees and rules can even vary by airline flight or hotel location. Cost to Fly a DogMore than two million pets and other live animals travel by air each year in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.2 Each airline has its own pet travel policy that adheres to parameters set by the Federal Animal Welfare Act. Those regulations have become more restrictive recently and can impact your travel budget. The cost to fly your dog. Where your pet rides impacts your cost. There are two classes of airline carriage for dogs and other pets, determined mostly by size: cabin and cargo. Expect to pay more for pets that fly as cargo.
But wait! There’s more cost. Besides the dog’s or other pet’s “fare,” there will be ancillary costs. For example:
Keep in mind that pet requirements on international flights can be even more complex and, in turn, more costly. And by the way: You can’t buy an airline seat for your pet, even if you want to. On-the-Ground Costs for Flying Your Pet
On the plus side, certain airlines will grant your pet loyalty rewards for travel. Traveling with Service Dogs Is DifferentService dogs and emotional-support animals aren’t subject to the same costs and requirements as pets. However, that may be changing, at least slightly. A recent sharp rise in the number of service animals on planes has caused increasing concern about fraud and the safety of passengers and flight attendants. Government regulators are developing guidelines to address these concerns, spurring airlines to revisit their policies as well. Contact your airline for its most up-to-date policy and requirements. Lodging with PetsPet-friendly accommodations are a growing trend in the hospitality industry, whether at budget motels, B&Bs, or luxury hotels. To find the best lodging for you and your pet, you can consult lists and rankings on specialty pet websites, as well as features on popular travel booking sites. The cost to room with your dog. While there are a handful of popular “pets stay free” hotels, most hotels and rental homes charge an extra fee. Sometimes they charge for pets per visit, but most often it’s on a nightly basis, ranging from $20 to $100.10 Fees may differ by location within chains. Individual owners set the fees for the homes they rent on sites such as Airbnb and VRBO, so there may be room for negotiation. Beyond their per-night or per-stay fees, even pet-friendly hotels may charge incremental cleaning fees for any pet accidents as well as room-damage fees. Similarly, rental homes may require a higher security deposit in case of pet-related damage. Cost Considerations When Lodging with Your Pet
Because pet policies can differ within a hotel chain, experts suggest having multiple travel reward credit cards to broaden your options.11 The TakeawayBringing your pet with you when you travel will add costs. Policies and rates can vary significantly by provider or location, so you’ll want to do your research and budget accordingly. 1“Traveling with Pets for the Dogs, According to TripAdvisor Survey,” TripAdvisor2 “Plane Talk: Traveling with Animals,” U.S. Department of Transportation3 “Jet Set Pet: Flying the Pet-Friendly Skies,” Pet Plan4 Ibid.5 “Taking a Vacation With Your Dog May Cost More Than You Realize,” Consumer Reports6 “New Rules of Flying With Your Pet,” Consumer Reports7 “Using Miles to Fly With Miles: My First Time Flying With a Dog on American Airlines in Business Class,” The Points Guy (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 8 “Jet Set Pet: Flying the Pet-Friendly Skies,” Pet Plan9 “A Comprehensive Guide to Traveling with Pets,” The Points Guy10 “Here’s How Much It Really Costs to Travel With Your Dog,” Travel + Leisure11 “How to Make Traveling With Your Pet Affordable,” NerdWalletKristina Russo is a CPA and MBA with over 20 years of business experience in firms of all sizes and across several industries, including media and publishing, entertainment, retail, and manufacturing. All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express. The material made available for you on this website, Credit Intel, is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal, tax or financial advice. If you have questions, please consult your own professional legal, tax and financial advisors. How much does AA charge for a dog?Fees
Can I take a 25 lb dog on a plane?Dogs usually need to be 20 lbs or less to fly with you inside the plane. As Checked Bags: The majority of airlines allow crated dogs to fly as checked bags. This means you will bring your dog's crate to check-in like your other baggage, and he or she will be weighing and transported like the rest of the plane's bags.
How strict is American Airlines pet policy?There are no strict weight restrictions on pets as long as they fit in this carrier. But, there is an exception to this rule if you're flying business or first class, in which case the weight of your pet and carrier combined cannot exceed 20 pounds. Additionally, all pets flying must be at least eight weeks old.
|