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A U.S. SENATE committee recently passed a bipartisan bill aimed at achieving pricing transparency for hotels, short-term rentals, and online travel platforms. However, the Senate failed to advance the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, drawing criticism from the American Hotel & Lodging Association. The Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation's approval of the Hotel Fees Transparency Act 2023 comes amid criticism of several hotel chains for lacking transparency in displaying room charges. AHLA called it an important step toward a more transparent booking process and a level playing field across the lodging industry. The bill, introduced by Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, and Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, on July 31, now awaits a full Senate vote.

THE U.S. HOUSE of Representatives passed the bipartisan Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025, mandating that hotels and short-term rentals disclose total booking costs upfront. The bill, introduced by Representatives Young Kim (R-California) and Kathy Castor (D-Florida), received support from industry groups such as AAHOA and the American Hotel & Lodging Association. AAHOA commended the passage, noting that the association "has long advocated for fairness and transparency in pricing and believes this legislation marks a significant step toward ensuring travelers have clear, accurate information when booking accommodations." "Transparency is key to building trust with our guests and to ensuring a level playing field across the hospitality industry," said Kamalesh "KP" Patel, AAHOA's chairman. "AAHOA will always champion policies that promote fairness and empower consumers to make informed decisions. This is an issue that transcends party lines, as today's vote powerfully demonstrates. We are grateful to lawmakers from both sides of the aisle in the House for passing this bill."

THE U.S. HOUSE of Representatives recently unveiled the 'No Hidden FEES Act of 2023' (H.R 6543), compelling the travel industry to enhance transparency regarding so-called "junk fees." This legislation is designed to improve pricing transparency for customers seeking short-term lodging, including hotels, motels, inns, and privately-owned vacation rentals. Meanwhile, the American Hotel & Lodging Association extended its support for the bill, which was introduced by Reps. Young Kim and Kathy Castor on Friday. "As Americans grapple with persistent high inflation, the last thing families need after budgeting for trips is to be hit with costly last-minute fees," Kim said. "The No Hidden FEES Act would rectify this issue, offering cost transparency for consumers so they know the upfront lodging expenses. I will continue the fight to make life more affordable for families in Southern California and throughout our nation."

THE FEDERAL TRADE Commission finalized a rule on Tuesday requiring industries, including hotels, to disclose all fees upfront in advertised prices. The rule bans hotels from excluding resort fees, often labeled "junk fees," from advertised rates for short-term lodging. It takes effect 120 days after publication in the Federal Register. The rule mandates businesses to prominently display the total price to prevent "bait-and-switch tactics, such as drip pricing and misleading fees," the FTC said in a statement. Outgoing President Joe Biden said he has always prioritized families and hardworking Americans and urged his administration to focus on lowering costs. "Today, the Federal Trade Commission is doing just that by banning hidden junk fees when you book a hotel or purchase event tickets," Biden said. "We all know the experience of encountering a hidden fee at the very last stage of checkout-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."