FTC Finally Bans Those Sneaky Ticketmaster and Hotel Junk Fees
Published Date: 1/10/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting May 12, 2025, businesses selling live-event tickets and short-term lodging must clearly show the full price, including all fees, so you won’t get tricked by hidden charges. The new rule stops sneaky pricing tricks and makes sure fees are honest and easy to understand before you buy. This means less confusion and fairer deals for everyone shopping for tickets or places to stay!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Ticket Buyers See Full Price
Starting May 12, 2025, businesses that sell live-event tickets must clearly show the total price up front, including most mandatory fees and charges, before you buy. The rule requires the total price to be disclosed clearly, conspicuously, and more prominently than other pricing information in any offer, display, or advertisement.
Lodging Buyers Get Total Price Up Front
Starting May 12, 2025, businesses offering short-term lodging (including hotels, motels, inns, short-term rentals, and vacation rentals) must show the total price up front, including most mandatory fees and charges, before you agree to pay. The total price must be displayed clearly, conspicuously, and more prominently than other pricing information in any offer, display, or advertisement.
Businesses Must Include Mandatory Fees
Starting May 12, 2025, businesses that offer live-event tickets or short-term lodging must include most mandatory fees in the advertised total price and may not misrepresent the nature, purpose, amount, or refundability of fees. Businesses must change their offers, displays, and advertisements to comply with these disclosure and truth-in-pricing requirements.
Level Playing Field for Honest Sellers
The rule is intended to protect consumers and to level the playing field by preventing businesses that hide mandatory fees from undercutting businesses that already show full prices. Honest businesses that already disclose total prices may benefit from reduced competitive pressure from firms that used hidden or misleading fees.
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