Image Credit: Alessandra Taryn

When it comes to advertising airfares, it’s still buyer beware.

When you’re motivated by rate, you may be easily misled when you see an advertised airfare.

Welcome to the nasty world of the asterisk.

Before 2011, it was not unusual to see ads claiming you could fly to London for $69.

These were followed, of course, by the asterisk.

That fare certainly got your attention, but what it didn’t tell you was that it only represented the one-way fare of the base fare, but did not include taxes and fees.

The real fare, if you bothered to find the fine print, was closer to $800.

Then came the rule making that practice illegal.

But now the airlines are lobbying the Trump administration to eliminate that rule.

In the meantime, what can and should you do? Interpret every asterisk as misleading and find that fine print.

The advertised discount airfare will certainly get your attention. But will it get your respect?

You need to be your own best airfare detective, or you will never be able to efficiently and accurately budget your travel expenses.

For more information about airfare, check out:

• How the Cross Border Express is Influencing Air Travel
• Why A New Travel Law Isn’t Going Into Effect
• How You Can Book Fifth Freedom Flights

Keep reading for more travel tips.