FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)— You see a low price upfront, but by the time you check out, it’s way higher.
Those extra charges are called “junk fees” and some of them are actually avoidable.
The Federal Trade Commission says these types of fees can show up in everything from travel to tickets to everyday transactions.
Let’s start with hotels. That low nightly rate you see often doesn’t include “resort fees,” which can add $20, $30 or even $50 a night.
To avoid surprises, look for the “total price” before you book or click through to the final page to see the real cost.
For concerts and events, service fees can add a big markup.
One way around that is to buy directly at the venue box office, where those fees are sometimes lower or not charged at all.
And at the ATM, you could be paying two fees at once: one from the ATM owner and one from your bank.
Stick with your bank’s ATM or use a fee-free network to avoid both.
Bottom line: don’t trust the first price you see. Always look for the full total before you pay.