Watchdog: Airfares For Many Travelers Rise Due To Bag Fees

WASHINGTON – Travelers who check at least one bag when flying domestically are paying more overall than they did before airlines began unbundling fares in 2008 and charging separately for checked baggage, a government watchdog said Wednesday. A report by the Government Accountability Office said airline officials told GAO investigators that base airfares are now lower than before airlines began separately charging passengers for checked bags, reservation changes, priority boarding and other services.