WASHINGTON (AP) -- Orbitz has been fined $50,000 by the government for not properly warning customers about potential airline baggage charges.
The Department of Transportation said Monday that Orbitz Worldwide Inc. didn't prominently show a message on its website saying that fees for checked bags might apply in addition to the airfares it showed. DOT said the violation occurred for a "short period of time" on Jan. 24, the first day that new passenger-protection rules went in effect. DOT claims the warning was too far down on the page.
Even though online ticket sites and travel agents don't know if certain people will check bags, they are required to warn everyone booking travel that additional charges might apply.
Orbitz shares fell 17 cents, or 5.8 percent, to $2.76 in afternoon trading.
