If you’ve been avoiding the big travel websites because of their booking fees, you might want to reconsider. Orbitz, Travelocity and Expedia have all stopped charging airline booking fees until May 31.

The Chicago Tribune says that Expedia was the first to drop their booking fee, followed by the other two. (Priceline hasn’t charged booking fees for 2 years.) The idea is to eliminate the advantage that airlines have over travel agents by eliminating the price difference.

Will the fees return eventually? No one is talking. Orbitz, however, has also dropped booking fees for hotels reserved by July 15.

Travel Web sites send their fees on vacation [Chicago Tribune]

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