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Saturday, May 26, 2012

Airlines must soon report previously hidden fees

Updated: February 15, 2012 8:03AM



The cheap fares that some airlines advertise — $29 to here or $59 to there — might look more expensive later this month. The federal government is forcing airlines to be more upfront about what your flight will really cost.

Here’s a rundown of what consumers should expect as, barring any last-minute court postponements, the Transportation Department imposes new rules on airlines starting Jan. 24 that it says will make ticket prices more understandable for consumers. Airlines will have to:

†Include any fees for checking bags when you book and pay for a ticket online.

†Give customers 24 hours to change their reservations without having to pay “rebooking” fees — in case they make a mistake.

†Provide prompt notification about flight cancellations, diversions or delays of more than 30 minutes.

†Not raise the price of a ticket after it’s been bought.

Also, starting Jan. 26, airlines must pProvide “full-fare” ticket prices — including all government taxes and other fees that now are hidden behind asterisks or stuck in footnotes but which can add 30 percent to 50 percent to a ticket price.— when prices are advertised or first shown on websites.

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