An end to truth in advertising airfare prices?

Josh Roberts believes the best trips involve long hikes and muddy boots. His life goals haven't changed much since he was a kid: He still wants to be Indiana Jones when he grows up.

Follow him on Twitter (@joshwhowrites) and Instagram (@joshwhowrites), and visit his website (joshrobertsbooks.com) or Goodreads page to learn more about his forthcoming novel.

Josh joined SmarterTravel in 2001, and is an active member in both the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

In addition to SmarterTravel, he has written for USA Today, The Boston Globe, Yahoo! Travel, The Huffington Post, Airfarewatchdog, TripAdvisor, Jetsetter, ABC News, Oyster, and Business Insider. His travel photography can be seen in Britain and Ireland's Best Wild Places, published by Penguin UK.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A lacrosse ball. It's small, lightweight, and works wonders on loosening up tight muscles."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Being the first to discover an ancient lost city. Failing that, visiting as many of the already-discovered ancient ruins as possible."

Travel Motto: "Not all those who wander are lost." -J.R.R. Tolkien

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle."

See recent posts by Josh Roberts

It’s hard enough these days to know what a flight is going to cost before you make it all the way through the booking process. An advertised fare of $198 round-trip to London might actually set you back $500 when you factor in various taxes, fees, fuel surcharges, and other often hidden costs. And now, reports travel writer/consumer advocate Christopher Elliott, things may get a lot worse.

“The government could now either end its rule compelling airlines to include government-imposed charges in its fares, or revise its rule to eliminate most or all requirements for airfare advertisements, or eliminate the full-fare advertising regulation in its entirety,” writes Elliott. “If any of those scenarios unfold… it could make shopping for an airfare much more complicated.”

If adopted, the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) proposed changes would render consumers helpless in a jungle of different advertising schemes. The airlines, of course, love this idea because it means they can advertise rock-bottom “base” prices that don’t really exist.

I’d say that’s criminal, but—if the proposed rule changes go through—it would be perfectly legal.

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