How to find and stop hidden fees

When I’m booking air travel, it seems like the price goes up with every click. By the time I pay to check a bag or two, that “great deal” isn’t looking so, well, great

So of course airlines are fighting the Biden administration’s “junk fees’” rule, which would make them show their fees upfront for checking bags, carrying on a bag, and changing or canceling a reservation. 

Virtually every major airline (American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Alaska and Hawaiian) is suing to stop this rule. Yeah, and they probably don’t want you to know their checked-baggage fees are going up again (at least, for American).

Airlines aren’t the only ones

It’s called price obfuscation, and I bet it’s happening in your online shopping carts all the time. You see one price when you hit “buy,” and as they tack on more fees, you’re less likely to notice them. 

Concert tickets are some of the worst offenders, with service fees, order processing fees, delivery fees and facility charges. 

The price obfuscation for concert tickets got so out of control, some states finally made Ticketmaster show “all-in pricing” — your actual ticket cost — instead of the ticket price you think you’re paying. 

  • 🎶 How to avoid it: When you can, buy tickets at a physical box office to avoid some of the fees. 

Hotels stays: Many hotels tack on a “resort fee” they claim is for amenities. Some local governments charge a tourism tax, too. It can add up! 

  • 🧳 Ask about the charges: If your hotel’s “resort fee” is for a closed pool or a gym you’re not using, politely ask if it can be removed from your bill. 

Online shopping: That outfit was a good deal … until you saw the shipping and handling fees. 

  • 🛍️ Do your own legwork: Literally. If you’re purchasing online for a store with a brick-and-mortar shop in your town, get it shipped there for free and pick it up. 

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5 ways to improve your LinkedIn profile

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How does in-flight Wi-Fi work?

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Reader question: 'I want cameras to watch my house when I'm gone, but not when I am home'

In times of crisis, it’s hard to get a clear view of the situation. That’s why irrefutable evidence is so valuable. Say a friend visits for a party, and your favorite vase is missing the next day.

Or maybe two family members get into a fight, and their stories contradict each other. You’ll have a hard time hammering down the facts. Security cameras can tell you what really happened when you have doubts. Tap or click here for five uses for security cameras you never thought of before now.

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3 secret uses for your home security system

You buy a home security system to defend against thieves, but there are more threats than just masked robbers outside your home. Garages, sheds, other outside buildings, and vehicles parked long-term can be just as much of a draw to crooks as your main house. To fully protect your home, you’ll need to know some of the best-hidden home security secrets.

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Taking care of aging parents? Here's a simple way to keep an eye on what's happening

Independence, safety and peace of mind. These are the most important elements for seniors living at home and their loved ones. Parents who wish to maintain their independence by living alone can be a double-edged sword. You’re happy they’re still self-sufficient, but you’re nervous about what can happen in an emergency.

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Best ways to block scam calls - And an easier way to stop scammers

When it comes to telemarketing and scam calls, the best thing to do is not pick up the phone. But it’s not always easy to tell whether an incoming call is legitimate — especially if your phone doesn’t show that scam or spam warning.

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Official trailer for 'All the Light We Cannot See'

Drawing from the acclaimed Pulitzer Prize-winning book, “All the Light We Cannot See” shares the story of Marie-Laure Leblanc, a young blind girl seeking solace alongside her father and reclusive uncle in the sheltered confines of St. Malo, France, during World War II.

One of the strangest places on Google Maps

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Viral hit 'The Boundaries Song' is a must-watch for all children

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The last Beatles song, "Now and Then"

“Now and Then,” the first new Beatles song in decades, was recently released on streaming services. It’s an amazing story. Producers used machine learning to separate John Lennon’s voice from an old blurry demo tape, allowing Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to create a composition around Lennon’s vocals. Give it a listen.

Flashback: Driver's ed in the 1950s

Insurance company Aetna Casualty needed a way to train new drivers without the risk of the road. Enter the Drivotrainer. It combined a simulator with motion pictures to show students what being behind the wheel is really like. You have to see this.

Weekend project: 5 simple ways to make your home safer

When building a home security system, every little bit helps. You can make significant changes, like setting up outdoor cameras with facial recognition. This helps you spot familiar faces crossing your street every day.

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The YouTuber who keeps breaking records

Mr. Beast hosted a global competition that millions probably agree is cooler than the Olympics. The winner (I won’t spoil it) took home a gold medal worth $250,000.

The trick tech-savvy job seekers are using

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The true stories behind Comic Sans and Ctrl-Alt-Del

China, Elon Musk and the Space Race to Launch Thousands of Satellites

While Elon Musk’s Starlink takes over space like a cosmic empire, China’s not sitting idle. It’s aiming for the stars by launching thousands of broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit. Starlink may have the lead, but China’s got tricks up its space sleeve. Check out this video to see the satellite showdown.

Grandpa's YouTube channel gains nearly 500,000 subscribers due to act of kindness

Every Sunday after family dinner, a Utah grandpa would grab the comics and read them to his grandkids. When COVID hit, he needed a distanced way to do it, so he took to YouTube.

His “Grandpa Reads the Comics” channel wasn’t getting much action — until an influential Instagrammer stumbled across his videos. The content was so heartwarming he had to share it. It wasn’t long until grandpa soared past 100,000 subscribers.

📺 Today, he has half a million subscribers and some of the sweetest videos you’ll see on YouTube. Watch his story here.

Replacing an irreplaceable plate

You know the feeling. You have guests over for dinner, so you take out the good dishes. And then, oh no, you slip, and with a loud crash, a plate is broken. You might think you can never replace it as it’s been in your family for decades. But you may be wrong. One company has taken it upon itself to specialize in finding and replacing items just like that. So, how do they do it?