A cross-party coalition of US senators is tired of concealed hotel charges appearing on invoices. They advocate for a new “Hotel Fees Transparency Act” to compel hotels to disclose the full room price, encompassing all supplementary charges, from the initial booking stage. This eliminates unexpected costs for travelers who believed they secured a bargain online.
This action follows President Biden’s State of the Union address, where he criticized hidden charges, particularly those irritating resort fees. He supports this bipartisan initiative, potentially revolutionizing hotel operations and future travel bookings.
This legislation has expanded its reach beyond hotels, now targeting a wider range of businesses. Online travel agencies such as Expedia and Kayak, search engines, and any platform offering short-term or extended accommodation are now within its scope.
The gaming sector is expressing strong disapproval, claiming the law oversteps its boundaries. They have voiced their concerns to the FTC, arguing that the interpretation of “hotel” is overly broad, encompassing businesses that bear little resemblance to traditional hotels.
Furthermore, the issue of resort fees, a long-standing source of contention and frustration for travelers since at least 2016, remains a significant concern.
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