We daily see all kinds of advice in airline ads and by online travel experts. Savvy senior travelers may get some benefits from reading them. However, the basic reality is that airlines are in business to make money, and they do everything possible, usually in sneaky words, to get you to pay more for that temporary seat in the sky.

The basic ways you can attempt to keep some of your money are: buy tickets online directly from the airline, study details of ever-changing airline ads for days before you buy and/or deal with a trusted hometown travel agent. With all the obvious and sneaky airline add-ons, you’re very likely to pay more than you want. However, you can at least have the satisfaction of doing your homework.