WASHINGTON -- The DOT fined Hobbit Travel $40,000 over allegations
that the Minneapolis agency violated requirements to show full
fares when consumers used the fare search and booking service on
its Web site, www.hobbittravel.com.
Half of the fine will be forgiven if Hobbit avoids violations
over the next year.
In the consent order issued May 3, the DOT said Hobbit did not
show government taxes and fees on Web-site fare searches until the
customer proceeded to the booking process.
According to the DOT, Hobbit, which discontinued the Web booking
service April 25, maintained it had been assured by Sabre, which
provided fare data, that its site was in compliance with DOT
rules.