Goodbye, hidden costs! Here’s how the latest federal rule will save you money on entertainment
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In an era where transparency often takes a backseat to profit, a refreshing change is on the horizon for consumers. Have you ever experienced the frustration of hidden fees sneaking into your bill at the last moment?
Whether it's a hotel stay or a live event ticket, the price you initially see should be the price you pay. Well, it seems the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has heard the collective sigh of exasperation from consumers like us and has taken a bold step to ensure price transparency.
Now, get ready to book your next hotel stay or attend your well-anticipated events because this new rule intends to let you enjoy the fun things in life that you deserve.
The FTC's new rule is a game-changer, banning the notorious “junk fees” that have long plagued our experiences with short-term lodging and live events.
These fees, often labeled as “resort,” “convenience,” or “service” fees, have a way of creeping into our final bill, leaving us to pay more than we anticipated. But not anymore–the FTC’s new rule endeavors to stop these surprise charges by banning “junk fees” on short-term lodging and tickets to live events.
Businesses would no longer be allowed to use these strategies to disguise prices and mislead customers who rent hotels and vacation homes, as well as consumers who want to purchase tickets to concerts, sports, and live events.
“People deserve to know upfront what they're being asked to pay — without worrying that they'll later be saddled with mysterious fees that they haven't budgeted for and can't avoid,” FTC Chair Lina Khan has made it clear. “The FTC's rule will put an end to junk fees around live event tickets, hotels and vacation rentals, saving Americans billions of dollars and millions of hours in wasted time.”
This means no more unpleasant surprises at checkout and no more wasted time trying to decipher hidden costs, ensuring that prices are presented to consumers in a “timely, transparent, and truthful” manner, according to the FTC.
Hotels usually use resort fees to cover costs like cleaning or use of amenities like fitness or aquatic centers, but the FTC claimed that these fees are deceptive.
Businesses can still charge for additional services, but they must do so openly. The total cost, including all fees, must be clearly advertised and more prominent than any other pricing information.
President Biden has weighed in, emphasizing his administration's commitment to banning junk fees and reducing costs for American families.
“We all know the experience of encountering a hidden fee at the very last stage of check out —these junk fees sneak onto your bill and companies end up making you pay more because they can. Those fees add up, taking real money out of the pockets of Americans,” Biden stated. “Today's announcement builds on work across my administration to ban junk fees and lower costs — saving many families hundreds of dollars each year.”
The Department of Transportation is also on board, proposing rules to ban family-seating fees, ensuring that airlines disclose baggage and change fees upfront.
Have you ever been affected by hidden fees? How do you think this change will impact your future purchases? Join the conversation and share your experiences in the comments below!
Whether it's a hotel stay or a live event ticket, the price you initially see should be the price you pay. Well, it seems the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has heard the collective sigh of exasperation from consumers like us and has taken a bold step to ensure price transparency.
Now, get ready to book your next hotel stay or attend your well-anticipated events because this new rule intends to let you enjoy the fun things in life that you deserve.
The FTC's new rule is a game-changer, banning the notorious “junk fees” that have long plagued our experiences with short-term lodging and live events.
These fees, often labeled as “resort,” “convenience,” or “service” fees, have a way of creeping into our final bill, leaving us to pay more than we anticipated. But not anymore–the FTC’s new rule endeavors to stop these surprise charges by banning “junk fees” on short-term lodging and tickets to live events.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has introduced a new rule banning “junk fees” on short-term lodging and live event tickets to prevent misleading pricing. Image source: Pexels / Kaboom Pics.
Businesses would no longer be allowed to use these strategies to disguise prices and mislead customers who rent hotels and vacation homes, as well as consumers who want to purchase tickets to concerts, sports, and live events.
“People deserve to know upfront what they're being asked to pay — without worrying that they'll later be saddled with mysterious fees that they haven't budgeted for and can't avoid,” FTC Chair Lina Khan has made it clear. “The FTC's rule will put an end to junk fees around live event tickets, hotels and vacation rentals, saving Americans billions of dollars and millions of hours in wasted time.”
This means no more unpleasant surprises at checkout and no more wasted time trying to decipher hidden costs, ensuring that prices are presented to consumers in a “timely, transparent, and truthful” manner, according to the FTC.
Hotels usually use resort fees to cover costs like cleaning or use of amenities like fitness or aquatic centers, but the FTC claimed that these fees are deceptive.
Businesses can still charge for additional services, but they must do so openly. The total cost, including all fees, must be clearly advertised and more prominent than any other pricing information.
President Biden has weighed in, emphasizing his administration's commitment to banning junk fees and reducing costs for American families.
“We all know the experience of encountering a hidden fee at the very last stage of check out —these junk fees sneak onto your bill and companies end up making you pay more because they can. Those fees add up, taking real money out of the pockets of Americans,” Biden stated. “Today's announcement builds on work across my administration to ban junk fees and lower costs — saving many families hundreds of dollars each year.”
The Department of Transportation is also on board, proposing rules to ban family-seating fees, ensuring that airlines disclose baggage and change fees upfront.
Have you ever been affected by hidden fees? How do you think this change will impact your future purchases? Join the conversation and share your experiences in the comments below!
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