House passes No Hidden FEES Act, a major AHLA legislative priority

The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the No Hidden FEES Act, a major American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) legislative priority that would ensure lodging cost transparency for consumers.

The legislation would establish a comprehensive single standard for transparent and mandatory fee displays across the lodging industry – from short-term rental platforms, to online travel agencies, metasearch sites, and hotels.

The bill, introduced by Reps. Young Kim, R-Calif., and Kathy Castor, D-Fla., was approved unanimously by the House Energy & Commerce Committee in December and passed in a bipartisan vote on the House floor today.

“It makes sense for all lodging businesses – from short-term rentals to online travel agencies, metasearch sites, and hotels – to tell guests up front about mandatory fees. That’s why AHLA has led efforts supporting federal legislation to establish a single and transparent standard for mandatory lodging fee displays and an even competitive playing field,” said AHLA Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey. “Thanks to Reps. Kim and Castor, we’re one step closer to making this a reality. We will continue to work with Senators Klobuchar and Moran on passing their related legislation in the Senate, with the goal of establishing a uniform standard across the industry as law.”

Background

AHLA supports creating a single standard for mandatory fee display across the lodging industry – from short-term rental platforms, to online travel agencies, metasearch sites, and hotels – and will continue to advocate for this position to be reflected in the final bill.

The No Hidden FEES Act (H.R. 6543) and the Senate version of the bill – the Hotel Fees Transparency Act (S. 2498) from Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Jerry Moran, R-Kan. – would establish a single standard for mandatory fee display across the entire lodging ecosystem.

AHLA’s most recent data shows only 6% of hotels nationwide charge a mandatory resort/destination/amenity fee, at an average of $26 per night.

About AHLA

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the largest hotel association in America, representing more than 30,000 members from all segments of the industry nationwide – including iconic global brands, 80% of all franchised hotels, and the 16 largest hotel companies in the U.S. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support, and workforce development programs to move the industry forward. Learn more at www.ahla.com.