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Money Talks: The World's Most Insulting Fees
Posted: 12.03.2012 at 6:30 AM
Stacy Johnson
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When we need something, we expect to pay for it. That's only fair.

But what isn't fair is fees that exist just to fatten some businesses bottom line. I'm talking about fees so silly, they're insulting - the financial equivalent of a cold slap in the face. Here are some examples.

First stop? The airport - a building so full of insulting fees, it's hard to count them all.

Here you're going to find not just fees to check bags, but depending on the airline, fees to bring a carry-on bag, select a seat, book by phone, print a boarding pass, bring a pet, and on some International flights, carry your own baby on your own lap. Spirit airlines even charges for in-flight water.

And that's just flying. Rent a car, and you might encounter one of the most overpriced charges anywhere, the collision damage waiver. A substitute for insurance, it can most per day than the rental car. Some rental companies also charge for returning a car early.

Next stop for a cold slap in the face? Your neighborhood bank. It's not enough that they're paying practically no interest...

Now most are charging monthly just to have a checking account. You'll pay to get your own money from another bank's ATM. Some credit cards have fees for foreign transactions, some banks charge to talk to a teller and many charge up to 10 bucks just to cash a check.

Then there's your home away from home: hotels.

Some hotels charge resort fees to use the pool, a fee to park your car, for in-room coffee, late check-out and even for the newspaper.

Bottom line? The only time you should ever pay extra is when you get extra. Anything else is an insult. What fee bothers you the most? Sound off and learn to avoid fees at MoneyTalksNews.com. Just do a search for "fees."

Click here to see other stories from "Money Talks"

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