With many airlines now hawking “unbundled” fares, it’s easy for travelers to mistake low advertised prices for cheap plane tickets. But for consumers eager to get the best deal on flights heading into the summer travel season, it pays to learn how “drip pricing” can make airfare more expensive.
Indeed, selecting the cheapest base fare is no longer the best way to get a good deal, according to travel experts. That’s because airlines now routinely charge more money for “extras” such as seat assignments, checked bags, snacks or wifi.
“Nobody likes feeling nickel-and-dimed, like the price they saw for a flight was a bait and switch,” Scott Keyes, founder and CEO of travel site Going.com, told CBS MoneyWatch.
Here’s what to consider. At first glance, the initial pricing for a flight you find on an online travel site might seem temptingly low. But after factoring in the cost of selecting your seat, checking bags and other add-ons, …