Compare airfares, with key fees included

ByABC News
February 26, 2009, 7:28 PM

— -- Figuring how much checked bag charges and other pesky airline fees add to the final cost of your ticket is getting easier.

TripAdvisor.com's just-launched flight search engine will automatically calculate airline-imposed baggage fees (which can total up to $80 per person, round-trip for two checked pieces), plus the estimated cost of in-flight booze, food and entertainment, for U.S. airlines.

Several travel sites, including Kayak.com, list airline fees separately. But TripAdvisor is the first major search engine to calculate and compare the cost of domestic flights with checked bags and on-board services in the results. (You'll still have to do your own math for other fees, including premium seat assignments, unaccompanied minors and flying with a pet.)

The TripAdvisor search engine taps results from Expedia, Hotwire and Travelocity as well as airline sites Southwest is the major exception and also uses seat information and maps from partner SeatGuru.