The Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2024 (S.2498), introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), aims to bring much-needed consistency and transparency to resort and other mandatory fees, directly benefiting American consumers. If passed, this legislation will protect consumers nationwide from surprise costs when booking online or at check-in. However, the passage of this bill is not guaranteed, and we need your support to ensure it becomes law!
Background: The Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2024 (S.2498) was recently approved unanimously by the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, with the support of Chairwoman Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-TX).
The Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2024 will provide much-needed consistency and transparency to resort and other mandatory fees, directly benefitting American consumers. For the first time under federal law, S.2498 requires that consumers be shown the total price for hotel rooms and other places of short-term lodging upfront, including the nightly rate and all mandatory fees. A federal law is needed as consumers often search for options across state lines, and current disparate state requirements cause consumer confusion.
In July 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6543, the No Hidden Fees Act of 2023, the companion bill to S.2498. The Senate Commerce Committee amended and passed S.2498. It now includes critical provisions that ensure consumers can compare accurate prices and benefit from competition, whether booking directly through hotel websites or via third-party intermediaries like online travel agents and metasearch engines. With the passage of S.2498 into law, consumers will be protected nationwide from surprise costs when booking online or at check-in.
S.2498, as passed by the Commerce Committee, is a carefully negotiated, bipartisan bill with wide support from the travel industry. Please urge your Senator to support this bill to protect consumers from unexpected costs when booking travel.
Background: H.R. 7024 restores critical pro-growth tax provisions that underscore the economic future for American workers and companies alike. By restoring the tax credit to its previous state, Travel Tech members can immediately deduct the cost of their U.S.-based research and development (R&D) investments. Allowing immediate R&D spending will help enhance American innovation and incentivize job-creating investments for the travel industry and beyond.
Please take two minutes to add your voice by submitting the letter below.
Thank you for your support.
Delivered every Wednesday, Travel Tech’s Passport newsletter keeps industry leaders up-to-date on current and emerging policy issues facing the travel tech industry.
In addition to the latest about Travel Tech and its advocacy efforts, the Passport Newsletter includes a news digest of the top stories at the intersection of travel, technology, and public policy.