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FTC mandates upfront fee disclosure for hotels and live event tickets

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FTC mandates upfront fee disclosure for hotels and live event tickets
Research
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Eric Rosen Director of travel content | The Points Guy

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has finalized a rule mandating the disclosure of all fees upfront in advertised prices across several industries, including hotels. This rule aims to eliminate hidden charges, often referred to as "junk fees," from the pricing of short-term lodging.

Hotels and vacation rentals booked through platforms like Airbnb are now required to prominently display the total price inclusive of all mandatory fees. The rule also extends to ticket sales for live events, ensuring consumers see the full price at the beginning of their search.

Michael Negron, Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, stated that this new regulation will require online travel agencies and short-term rental companies to provide consumers with the full price of their stay upfront. This includes all mandatory fees when the price is first shown during a consumer's search. Ticket sellers must also disclose the full ticket price upfront, preventing unexpected service charges at checkout.

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The FTC specifies that businesses must clearly disclose any additional costs such as shipping or taxes before payment information is entered by consumers. Enforcement outside these specified industries will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

FTC Chair Lina M. Khan remarked that this rule would eliminate junk fees associated with live event tickets, hotels, and vacation rentals. However, it does not prevent lodging groups or event operators from issuing fees or employing specific pricing strategies.

President Joe Biden expressed his support for the rule via email, emphasizing its role in preventing hidden fees that increase consumer costs unexpectedly.

The rule will take effect 120 days after being published in the Federal Register but may face challenges under future administrations, similar to previous attempts in related sectors.

In response to anticipated changes, major hotel chains like Hilton and IHG have already adapted their systems to display mandatory fees upfront. A Hilton spokesperson highlighted that consumers value transparency and noted enhancements made in 2023 to improve fee visibility on their platforms.

Airbnb has offered a Total Price Display feature since 2022, which allows travelers to view an inclusive price breakdown before taxes during searches.

This development follows a separate initiative by the U.S. Department of Transportation regarding airline fee transparency, which is currently paused due to litigation.

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