Q: I've heard recently that airline fuel prices are going up. What does that mean for me?

A: Sadly, it means you may end up paying more to fly. Back in 2008, fuel prices spiked to astronomical levels. Airlines freaked out, as you can imagine, and blitzed customers with all sorts of fees and charges. Well, airlines are better positioned nowadays to absorb fluctuations in fuel cost, but steadily rising prices over the past few months have fares ticking upward as well. If prices continue to rise in 2011, as many are predicting, you can bet consumers will be footing the bill, either through jacked up fares or more fees.