WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Young Kim (CA-40) introduced the No Hidden Fees on Extra Expenses for Stays (No Hidden FEES) Act of 2023 (H.R 6543) to improve cost transparency for stays in short-term lodging, such as hotels, motels, and inns.

This bill prohibits unfair or misleading price advertising for places of short-term lodging and requires accurate price listings that include all mandatory and resort fees.

“Hidden ‘junk fees’ added to hotel room bookings often confuse or deceive consumers and take a bite out of the family vacation budget. As a top vacation destination, Florida families and visitors need relief from these hidden junk fees,” said Rep. Castor. “Excessive junk fees have driven up costs and left millions of Americans on the hook for tens of billions of dollars each year while stifling competition, hurting consumers, workers, small businesses and entrepreneurs. Our No Hidden FEES Act will improve transparency to ensure travelers can make fully informed decisions without being deceived by hidden junk fees.”

“As Americans pay more for everything due to persistent high inflation, the last thing families need after budgeting for trips is to be hit with costly last-minute fees,” said Rep. Kim. “The No Hidden FEES Act would right this wrong and help provide cost transparency for consumers, so they know how much they are paying for lodging upfront. I will keep fighting to make life more affordable for families in Southern California and throughout our nation.”

“From holiday travel to visiting family and friends, Americans are often shocked by the true price of lodging. Deceptive advertising hides fees from travelers, often resulting in them paying much more than they initially expected. I applaud Rep. Young Kim’s work to deliver price transparency and honesty to this industry so people can save money and make informed decisions that best suit them and their families,” said Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05).

“The No Hidden FEES Act creates a single standard for mandatory fee display across the lodging industry – from short-term rental platforms to online travel agencies, search engines, metasearch sites, and hotels. This legislation would ensure that wherever consumers shop for lodging, mandatory fees are included in the price they see. AHLA is grateful for the leadership of Reps. Kim and Castor in fighting to level the playing field for all types of lodging providers and distributors. We look forward to helping get this important legislation to the president’s desk,” said Chip Rogers, President and CEO, American Hotel Lodging Association (AHLA).    

The bill is also supported by Consumer Reports and the National Consumers League.