Back in the day, I used to oversee a lot of usability research for a well-known travel engine. Every single time, people would choose the lowest possible base price. It did not matter if you explained to them how uncomfortable it might be, any add-on fees they'd occur, quality of product, or literally anything else. All that mattered was the first number they saw.

I don't know if it's a uniquely American thing, but the ability to wrap one's head around future cost additions or commensurate value is just completely not there, at all.