TRAVEL: The end of hidden fees?

CLEVELAND - Here's some promising news for air travelers: If you book a flight this week, you shouldn't have any surprise hits to your budget.

On Monday, a new Department of Transportation policy goes into effect.

This new policy is supposed to protect passengers from buying tickets, then dealing with hidden fees.

One of the new rules requires airlines to include all mandatory taxes and fees in advertised fares. Bag fees and other optional charges don't have to be rolled into the price, but they need to be better disclosed.

Passengers will also have 24 hours to hold reservations... and the ticket price can't be increased after purchase.

The idea is to help passengers know the bottom line when they try to book.

Some airlines oppose the new protections saying air travel isn't any different than other services, where taxes are not included in the price.

By the way, looking for the lowest fares. Travel experts say book 6 weeks in advance to save. Fares increase by 40% or more if you book closer to your date of travel.