Why airline fees keep going up [Google+ Hangout]

Faced with higher fuel prices, airlines have come up with a variety of fees to make money on top of airfares. Take Spirit Airlines, whose website lists 72 fees in eight different categories, including baggage fees, seat fees and onboard food and drink fees.

Spirit, the first U.S.-based carrier to impose a fee for carry-on bags, this week announced that it will soon begin charging $100 if passengers show up to the gate with a carry-on bag instead of paying ahead of time. That’s up from $45.

LIVE VIDEO DISCUSSION: Join us at 2 p.m. today

Airline industry reporter Hugo Martin will discuss airline fees with George Hobica, founder of Airfarewatchdog.com, a low-airfare alert and air travel advice website. Join us for a Google+ Hangout at 2 p.m. PDT, which you will be able to watch from this post.

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