Fuel surcharges and baggage fees may have you paying more for your next trip — what you can do to save instead

It’s a strategy that won’t suit every traveller. For instance, if you have a dream destination locked in, flexibility isn’t really an option. But if you just want to get away — somewhere European, somewhere new — this approach could put serious money back in your pocket.

Michelle Sutton’s experience is one such example. She told Bloomberg she and her wife scrapped their plan to visit Croatia after they noticed one-way business class fares departing at US$6,000 (C$8,200) each — roughly 100,000 points. The couple decided to book whatever destination offered the lowest points redemption instead, with Germany and Portugal on the shortlist.

Fares are going up — and more than only the ticket price

The surge in airfare isn’t a Canadian-only problem, but it’s hitting Canadians hard. Higher jet fuel prices tied to instability in the Middle East have prompted Canada’s major airlines to raise fares and tack on surcharges.

According to the KAYAK Canada Airfare Trends Dashboard, average domestic flight costs in Canada were up between 11% and over 26% through April 2026 compared to the same month in 2025 (2). International flights from Canada have also climbed — from an average of $1,052 in January to $1,173 in April, a 12% jump.

It’s not just the base fare that’s gone up. Daily Hive National reports that Air Canada updated its checked baggage fees for Economy Basic and Standard fares purchased on or after April 13, 2026: The first checked bag now costs $45 to $54, up from $35 to $42. WestJet also added a $10 increase to first and second checked bags at airport check-in (3). Travellers should price out the full trip — base fare, fuel surcharges and bags — before assuming they’ve found a deal.

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Being flexible could mean big savings

If you have your heart set on one European country, you can still save by choosing a city with lower-cost accommodation — or by crossing into a neighbouring country.

According to Expedia, travellers are increasingly searching for what the company calls “destination dupes” — cities that offer experiences comparable to famous hotspots, but at a meaningfully lower cost.

Travellers are also leaning on points to manage costs. But that strategy has become more expensive, too — Air Canada updated its Aeroplan Flight Reward Chart effective June 1, 2026. Most partner award redemptions increased by just over 7% to 20%, with some long-haul premium cabin routes rising by up to 30%. Practically speaking, the points you’ve been saving won’t stretch as far as they did last year.

For finding the best fare, flight-tracking apps and websites — including KAYAK, Google Flights and Hopper — let you monitor price changes over time and set alerts when fares drop on a specific route. It’s also worth checking whether booking directly on an airline’s website saves you anything versus a third-party platform.

Consider traveling outside peak season

If summer dates aren’t locked in, there’s an even simpler solution: Travel during the shoulder season. The window between the peak summer rush and the winter holiday period tends to bring lower fares and less crowded destinations.

According to Expedia’s Fall Travel Outlook, booking international travel around October 26 and November 24 tends to yield the best deals on airfare.

Smart travel moves for Canadians

• Compare total trip cost, not just the base fare. Fuel surcharges, seat-selection fees and new baggage fees from Air Canada and WestJet can significantly change which deal is actually cheapest.
• Check your reward balances sooner than later. With the June 2026 chart update now in effect, most Aeroplan partner redemption rates have risen 10% to 25%. Lock in bookings before additional devaluations occur.
• Use Canadian flight-tracking tools. KAYAK’s Canada Airfare Trends Dashboard (ca.kayak.com) tracks domestic and international fares from Canadian origins on a week-over-week basis — useful for spotting the right moment to book.
• Try a “destination dupe” mindset. Rome, Paris and Barcelona aren’t the only options. Naples, Brussels and Porto offer comparable experiences at significantly lower accommodation costs.
• Consider shoulder season. Based on Expedia data, the window around late October to late November offers international travellers some of the year’s best airfare deals — and far fewer crowds.
• Bundle when possible. Expedia data shows that combining flights and hotels into a package can save hundreds of dollars compared to booking each separately.

-With files from Melanie Huddart