The Web vs the world: 9 epic battles

Cheaper Flights vs. Hidden Costs

These days, you can jump online to find flights, compare costs, and book tickets, all in a matter of minutes. Travel sites like Orbitz and Travelocity make scouting out super deals easier than ever — but they also indirectly encourage carriers to develop sneaky fee policies. To keep their ticket prices competitive, airlines break out add-on fees for seat assignments, baggage checking, and other previously included (or nonexistent) services. As a result, the listed fares seem relatively low, and most people don't notice all of the tacked-on tolls until after they've clicked and committed. Sneaky fees are a shady way of doing business — and ultimately they negate much of the value to consumers of comparison shopping.