How’s this for a bad deal? American Express Publishing Corp. had an offer for a “free” airline ticket when you bought a companion ticket and a subscription to Skyguide magazine. But a lawsuit brought by five Californian counties says that when consumers went to the website to buy their ticket, they were often charged double what the ticket would have cost them if they bought the ticket straight from the airline. Get it?

“The federal guidelines say you cannot advertise ‘free’ if you are making up the cost of the item by overcharging the consumer,” a deputy district attorney for Marin county told the Marin Independent Journal.

The publishing arm of American Express has agreed to pay $600,000 in order to settle the claims.

Remember, even if they say it’s a freebie, check the facts.

American Express to settle with Marin, other counties, over alleged false advertising [Marin Independent Journal] (Thanks to David!)

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