You have booked a flight a hundred times. You see a price, you tap continue, you tap again, and you are done. Most of us never imagine there could be extra charges waiting out of sight.
The Federal Trade Commission says that is exactly the kind of habit some companies bet on. In a consumer alert published November 3, 2026 by FTC staff, the agency warns holiday travelers that extra charges can be hard to notice or buried in fine print.
The Alert Says Dishonest Companies Are Betting You Will Not Look Closely
The alert does not mince words. It says, “Dishonest companies are betting that you’re too rushed, too distracted, or won’t look closely enough.” Anyone who has booked tickets at midnight with a toddler on one hip knows how true that feels.
The holidays make it worse. Prices are high, plans are tight and you just want it done. That is the moment a hidden add-on is most likely to slip through.
A Big Total Price And A Continue Button Allegedly Told Travelers They Were Done
To show how it can happen, the FTC points to its case against Hopper, Inc., a company behind travel apps. The agency alleges that the company showed a prominent total price and a continue button, which suggested that was the full price. These are allegations, not findings.
According to the FTC’s account, the next screen led with a “Swipe to Book Flight” button above the itinerary details. In other words, the button to buy came first and the details came second. A traveler who swiped right away would never see what sat below.
Pre Selected Tip And VIP Support Charges Allegedly Sat Below The Button
Here is the twist. The FTC alleges that pre-selected “Tip” and “VIP Support” charges were added to the total automatically. Only users who scrolled past the booking button could see them, and the agency says most did not.
Think about what that means in plain terms. Charges were allegedly already ticked and already added in, and the person paying had no reason to look further down the screen. It is the digital version of a surprise line item on a restaurant check, only you pay before you see the check.
Four Steps The FTC Says To Take Before You Tap Book
The good news is that the agency offers simple advice. First, scroll past the payment button and read everything on the page. The details that matter may be below it.
Second, check for pre-selected options. Look for boxes that are already ticked, because those can add up without your say-so. Third, compare the final total with the price you first saw. If the number has grown, find out why before you pay.
The fourth step is to report hidden fees. The FTC asks people to report them at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Reports help the agency see which companies and tricks keep showing up.
A Few Extra Habits For Holiday Booking
A few more habits can protect your budget. Book on a computer when you can, since a bigger screen makes extras easier to spot. Give yourself a few quiet minutes instead of booking in a rush.
Take a screenshot of the final price screen before you pay. If a charge shows up later that you did not expect, that picture can help you when you contact the company or your card issuer. Keep the confirmation email, too.
If your card statement shows a charge you do not recognize, call the company first and ask what it is for. If you do not get a clear answer, you can contact your card issuer. Acting quickly gives you the best chance of getting a fair answer.
Why It Pays To Slow Down Even When You Are In A Hurry
It feels silly to slow down when a flight deal is about to vanish. But a few extra seconds can matter, and so can the principle. The more we all check before paying, the less room there is for sneaky extras.
Share this with the family member who books everything for the whole clan. Often one person handles the tickets for ten, so one missed checkbox gets multiplied. A quick look at the bottom of the screen is a cheap gift to give your own wallet this season.
Why Add-On Charges Cost Families The Most
Holiday trips often involve several tickets, and that is where a small extra becomes a real bill. A charge that looks modest for one traveler is multiplied across the whole family. A surprise add-on on four tickets can quietly eat the money you set aside for gifts.
That is why the FTC’s advice to compare the final total with the original price is so useful. It takes only a moment and needs no special skill. Write down the number you were first shown, and do not pay until the last screen matches it or you understand each difference.
Remember, the button at the top of the screen is not the whole story. Scroll down, read it all, and make the company earn your money fairly.
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