Flying from Bangladesh should be exciting.
One day, you find a great deal online for just Tk 15,000. But at checkout, the price jumps to Tk 25,000!
What happened? —- Hidden airline fees.
Hidden airline fees are extra charges that airlines and booking sites don’t show upfront.
These sneaky costs can double your travel budget. In Bangladesh, travelers lose thousands of taka every year to these surprise fees.
However, you can avoid most of these charges.
This guide shows you exactly what to watch for. You’ll learn the real cost of flying. Plus, we’ll share simple tricks to keep more money in your pocket.
Let’s dive into the 10 biggest hidden airline fees Bangladesh travelers face today.
1. Airport Departure Fees that You Must Pay
Every single passenger pays an embarkation fee (a government tax for leaving the airport).
This is a government charge you cannot avoid. Here’s what you’ll pay:
- International flights: Tk 500 per person
- Domestic flights: Tk 50 per person
Airlines collect this money when you buy your ticket. It’s like a departure tax. The fee goes straight to the government.
How to Budget for This Fee
Always add this fee to your flight cost when planning.
Most airlines include it in the ticket price. But some booking sites show it as a separate charge. Ask for the total price, including all fees, before you book.
2. Government Taxes That Increased This Year
The Bangladesh government charges excise duties (special taxes on specific goods and services) on air tickets. These fees increased sharply in January 2025. Here’s the current breakdown:
| Destination Region | Fee Amount | Effective Date |
| SAARC to Non-SAARC Asia | Tk 2,500 | January 2025 |
| Europe & America | Tk 4,000 | January 2025 |
These duties add serious money to your budget. A family of four flying to London pays an extra Tk 16,000 just in excise duties!
How to Stay Updated on Fee Changes
Government fees change without much warning.
Always check the latest rates before booking. Ask your travel agent or airline about current excise duties. These taxes apply to every ticket, so factor them into your total travel budget.
3. Extra Fees When Airlines Owe Money
Some airlines delay paying their government fees.
When this happens, they pass the cost to you as surcharges. These extra fees vary by airline. They might disappear if the airline settles its debts.
How to Avoid These Surprise Charges
Choose well-known, financially stable airlines.
Research the airline’s reputation before booking. Ask if there are any current surcharges on your route.
Avoid airlines that frequently add last-minute fees to tickets.
4. Third-Party Platform Service Fees
Online travel sites like ShareTrip often add hidden service fees.
You think you’re comparing fair prices. But at checkout, they add booking charges. These fees range from Tk 200 to Tk 800 per ticket.
How to Spot These Hidden Charges
Always check the final price before paying.
Look for words like “service fee,” “booking charge,” or “processing fee.”
Check if the final price matches what was first shown. If they don’t match, ask why. Consider booking directly with the airline to avoid these extra costs.
5. Sneaky Convenience Charges
Many booking sites add “convenience charges” or “processing fees.”
These sound official, but they’re just extra profit for the platform. The charges typically cost Tk 100 to Tk 500 per booking.
How to Avoid Convenience Fees
Read the fine print (small text with terms and conditions) before booking.
Look for any mention of convenience or processing charges.
Ask the booking site why these fees exist.
Consider booking directly with airlines, as they rarely charge convenience fees. Always compare the total final price, not just the advertised fare.
6. Expensive Change and Cancellation Rules
Need to modify your travel plans?
Different booking methods have very different costs and support. Other platforms usually have high fees and limited customer service hours.
Direct airlines offer moderate fees but only help during business hours.
The best option provides high flexibility, competitive fees, and round-the-clock support when you need changes.
How to Choose Flexible Booking Options
Before booking, ask about the change and cancellation policy and airline rules.
Compare modification fees across different booking methods. Choose options that clearly explain all policies upfront. Avoid sites that hide change fees until you need them.
7. Student Discount Verification Fees
Many platforms charge extra fees to verify student status.
They add Tk 200 to Tk 500 for document processing. This defeats the purpose of student savings!
How to Get Real Student Discounts
Look for platforms that don’t charge verification fees.
Compare the final price after verification fees with regular fares. Sometimes the “student discount” costs more than a regular ticket!
Choose booking sites that offer genuine student savings without hidden charges.
8. Routes with the Highest Hidden Fees
Some popular routes from Bangladesh have especially high hidden fees:
Dhaka to Europe Routes:
- Hidden fees can exceed Tk 4,500 on other platforms
- Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways routes are affected the most
Dhaka to Middle East Routes:
- Extra costs often top Tk 3,000
- Emirates and Flydubai bookings commonly hit with fees
Popular Domestic Routes:
- Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) to Cox’s Bazar: Extra Tk 200-500
- Dhaka to Chittagong: Platform fees up to Tk 300
How to Save on These Popular Routes
Compare prices across multiple booking sites for these routes.
Look for direct airline deals that include all fees upfront. Book early for domestic flights to avoid last-minute surcharges.
Consider alternative airlines that may have lower hidden fees on the same routes.
9. Baggage and Seat Selection Surprise Costs
Budget airlines charge extra fees for baggage and seats that can shock travelers:
- Checked baggage: Tk 2,500 to Tk 8,000 per bag
- Seat selection charges: Tk 500 to Tk 3,000 per flight
- Priority boarding: Tk 800 to Tk 2,000 extra
Airlines like AirAsia and SalamAir are known for these ancillary revenue (extra money from add-on services) charges.
How to Avoid These Extra Costs
Check what’s included in your ticket before booking.
Pack light to avoid baggage fees. Skip seat selection if you don’t mind where you sit. Arrive early for boarding instead of paying priority fees.
Compare total costs, including all extras, when choosing airlines.
10. Foreign Payment Processing Fees
Booking on foreign websites often triggers banking fees:
- Credit card foreign transaction fees: 2-3% of total cost
- Currency conversion markups: Additional 1-2%
- Payment gateway charges: Tk 100-300 per transaction
For a Tk 50,000 ticket, these fees add Tk 1,500-2,500 to your bill!
How to Avoid Payment Fees
Use local booking sites that accept BDT payments.
Check with your bank about foreign transaction fees before booking.
Look for sites that don’t charge currency conversion fees. Consider using local payment methods like mobile banking to avoid international charges.
Why Choose FTO Travels for Fee-Free Booking
FTO Travels commits to complete pricing transparency.
We show all government charges, airline surcharges, and service costs upfront. No surprise fees appear at checkout.
Direct Airline Partnerships
We work directly with major carriers, including:
- Biman Bangladesh Airlines
- Emirates
- Qatar Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- AirAsia
This gives you access to the best rates without platform markups.
24/7 Support When You Need It
Our expert team helps with bookings, changes, and questions around the clock. Call +880 1712 345678 or email info@flytripoverseas.com for immediate assistance.
Your Next Steps to Save Money
Avoiding hidden airline fees is easier than you think.
Here are three things you can do right now:
- Always ask for the total price including all fees before booking any flight
- Choose transparent booking platforms like FTO Travels that show complete costs upfront
- Factor in government fees when comparing prices – they’re not optional
Start saving money on your next flight today. Book with FTO Travels and see exactly what you’ll pay from the first click to final confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which airlines have the most hidden fees in Bangladesh?
A: Regional low-cost carriers such as AirAsia and SpiceJet add the highest extra charges for baggage, seat selection, and convenience fees, often doubling the base fare.
Q: Are budget airlines in Bangladesh really cheaper after adding fees?
A: Rarely—once you include checked baggage (Tk 2,500–Tk 6,500), seat-selection (Tk 500–Tk 2,000), and convenience surcharges, full-service carriers often end up more cost-effective.
Q: Can I avoid seat selection charges?
A: Yes—skip paid seat selection and check in as early as possible; you’ll receive a free standard seat assignment at online check-in.
Q: Does Fly Trip Overseas charge booking fees?
A: No. Our pricing is transparent with zero hidden fees.
Q: Are all government charges included in FTO’s prices?
A: Yes. Embarkation fees and excise duties appear before you pay.
Q: How does FTO compare to other platforms?
A: We offer direct airline rates, 24/7 support, and no platform markups.
Q: Can I modify flights last-minute?
A: Yes. Our support team assists with changes at competitive rates.
Q: Do you handle both domestic and international bookings?
A: Absolutely. We cover destinations within Bangladesh and worldwide.