Orbitz fined $60,000 for failing to disclose taxes and fees

October 19, 2011 | Online Travel

The Department of Transportation fined the Orbitz travel website $60,000 for violating federal laws that require travel sites to clearly disclose taxes and fees on airfares.

The federal agency said that during a period in early 2011, the Orbitz home page advertised air fares without disclosing that passengers must pay extra fees and taxes for the airline tickets.

“Consumers have a right to know the full price they will be paying for airfares,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. “We established airline price advertising rules to protect the consumer and will take enforcement action when these rules are violated.”

An Orbitz spokeswoman said that a glitch that resulted in fares being displayed without the prominent link to fees and taxes for a short period of time has been addressed, and that Orbitz is in compliance with the Department of Transportation.

Get the full story at The Los Angeles Times

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