New Airline Regulations Take Effect

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has imposed new regulations on the airline industry that went into effect on January 24 or January 26, 2012.

What do you need to know?

• When you search for airfare now, you will see the total price (including all mandatory taxes and fees) upfront
• The airline must reveal before you purchase what it will cost you to check or carry on bags. 
• You can cancel a ticket within 24 hours of purchase as long as it is booked at least 7 days before the date of departure.  

The DOT wasn't the instigator of these great ideas; the good airlines introduced these things and federal regulators decided to impose them on the whole industry.