Price Transparency Archives - Travel Tech Association

As Travel Tech looks ahead into 2026, one of the most significant challenges facing the industry is the growing wave of state “price surveillance” legislation. These proposals would restrict or ban the use of algorithms and artificial intelligence in pricing when information about the consumer searching online is known. Since the beginning of the year, nearly 20 state bills have been introduced, with more undoubtedly on the way.

Restricting or banning the use of algorithms and artificial intelligence in pricing will have a major impact on how the travel industry utilizes dynamic pricing to price perishable travel services. The consequences of these new state laws would increase operational costs, constrain revenue management strategies, and make it difficult, if not impossible, to align pricing with real-time market conditions automatically. Instead of helping the market work better, these bills would lock in inefficiencies and push companies toward blunt, one-size-fits-all pricing.

As these proposals advance in statehouses, they also introduce growing legal and compliance uncertainty, particularly where broadly written bills create conflicting obligations across states. At Travel Tech, we are closely tracking these developments and helping industry members understand what these proposals mean in practice and how they intersect with existing pricing and consumer protection laws. Staying engaged early will be critical to managing risk and ensuring policymakers understand the real-world impact of these proposals before they create lasting harm to the travel ecosystem.

Please reach out to me if these bills are a concern for your company — I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss how Travel Tech can help you stay informed and engaged as these proposals and others move forward.

Monday, April 28, 2025 — Today, Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of the Travel Technology Association, released a statement on the passage of H.R.1479, the Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025 in the House.

“Travel Tech applauds the House for passing H.R. 1479, the Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025, which will require consumers to be shown the total price up-front for hotel rooms and other places of short-term lodging, inclusive of the nightly rate and all mandatory fees. This bill and its Senate companion, S.314, set one national standard on what constitutes a ‘total service price’ and how it must be displayed, giving consumers clarity regardless of where or how they book lodging accommodations.”

“We thank Reps. Young Kim (CA-40), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Russell Fry (SC-07), and Kevin Mullin (CA-15) for their leadership and support on this bipartisan, common-sense legislation.”

“Travel Tech has been a vocal advocate of the Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025 and previously issued a letter of support for the reintroduction of S.314, the Senate companion bill to this legislation, which has since passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee. We strongly encourage the Senate to bring S.314 to a full floor vote and send this bill to the President’s desk for his signature.”

The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents the leading innovators in travel technology, including online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 — Today, Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of the Travel Technology Association, released the following statement applauding the House Energy & Commerce Committee for advancing H.R.1479, the Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025, out of committee.

“Travel Tech thanks the House Energy & Commerce Committee for advancing the Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025, which ensures hotels, short-term rentals, and other lodging providers disclose the full price of accommodations upfront. We applaud Reps. Young Kim, Kathy Castor, Russell Fry, and Kevin Mullin for their bipartisan leadership and support. Alongside its Senate companion, S.314, this bill sets a nationwide standard for transparent pricing. We look forward to working with Congressional leadership to advance this pro-consumer legislation to final passage.”

The Hotel Fees Transparency Act will establish a uniform definition of “total service price” nationwide, ensuring clear and consistent for travelers, no matter where they live or how they book their lodging.

Earlier this year, Travel Tech issued a letter supporting the reintroduction of the Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025 (S.314), the Senate companion bill. Travel Tech strongly supports both measures and urges Congress to pass this critical legislation.

Additionally, Travel Tech applauds the Committee for advancing H.R. 617, American Music Tourism Act of 2025, which would boost local tourism by spotlighting America’s music destinations. Local economic benefits of travel and tourism relies on consumers having a wide variety of lodging and transportation options.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

Friday, February 21, 2025 — Today, Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of the Travel Technology Association, released the following statement applauding the re-introduction of the House companion bill to S.314, the Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025.

“Travel Tech strongly supports the re-introduction of the Hotels Fees Transparency Act of 2025. This bill will require consumers to be shown the total price up-front for hotel rooms and other places of short-term lodging, including both the nightly rate and all mandatory fees.”

“Travel Tech applauds Rep. Young Kim (CA-40), Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14), Rep. Russell Fry (SC-07), and Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15) for their leadership on this bipartisan, common-sense legislation. This bill and its Senate Companion S.314 set one national standard on what constitutes a “total service price” and how it must be displayed giving consumers clarity regardless of where or how they book accommodations. We look forward to working with Congress to advance this pro-consumer legislation toward its final passage.”

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

Wednesday, February 5, 2025 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), a non-profit dedicated to promoting and protecting the travel technology industry, submitted a letter of support following the reintroduction of the Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025 (S.314 (119^th)) by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Jerry Moran (R-KS). S.314 was previously known as S.2498 in the 118^th Congress, which ended in December 2024. Today, S.314 was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee.

“Travel Tech thanks Senators Klobuchar and Moran for their continued leadership in advancing price transparency for lodging by reintroducing the Hotel Fees Transparency Act,” said Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of the Travel Technology Association. “This legislation is still very much needed. It will establish a single definition for “total service price” across the country, reducing confusion for consumers shopping for lodging across state lines.”

Travel Tech previously strongly supported S.2498, the Hotel Fees Transparency Act. The bill was removed at the last minute from the Continuing Resolution passed by Congress at the end of last year. S.314, like S.2498, also ensures consumers will see accurate total service pricing no matter where they shop for lodging, either directly on hotel websites or through online travel comparison tools and services.

Additionally, Travel Tech applauds the Senate Commerce Committee for advancing Howard Lutnick’s nomination for Secretary of Commerce. Travel Tech looks forward to working with him to promote the U.S. travel and tourism economy following his confirmation by the full Senate.

Read Travel Tech’s full letter of support for S.314, the Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

December 21, 2024 – Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of the Travel Technology Association, released the following statement regarding the removal of the Hotel Fees Transparency Act (S.2498) along with other commerce-related bills from the Continuing Resolution passed by Congress late Friday night:

“Travel Tech is disappointed that Congress did not include the Hotel Fees Transparency Act in the final version of its Continuing Resolution, missing an opportunity to deliver meaningful consumer protections and provide consistency for both intermediaries and hotels navigating disparate state requirements.

“This bipartisan, carefully negotiated proposal is an important opportunity to establish a national standard for mandatory hotel fee transparency, ensuring consumers receive clear and upfront information about mandatory fees. Its exclusion delays meaningful progress for travelers and the broader travel industry.

“Preventing a government shutdown is essential, and we acknowledge Congress’s efforts in achieving that critical goal. However, the need for federal leadership on price transparency remains. Travel Tech will continue to advocate for this legislation in the new Congress.”

The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents travel technology innovators ranging from dynamic startups, small, and midsize businesses to leading online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

December 18, 2024 – Today, Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of the Travel Technology Association, released the following statement in response to the issuance of the Federal Trade Commission’s final Junk Fee rule and the inclusion of S.2498, the Hotel Fees Transparency Act in the Continuing Resolution to be passed by Congress by the end of the week:

“Travel Tech applauds both the Federal Trade Commission and Congress for advancing policies that set a national standard for price transparency for consumers seeking overnight stays. Consumers will now see an up-front and consistent total service price for lodging – including nightly room rate and mandatory fees – no matter where they live or how they shop for lodging options, either directly on hotel websites or through online travel comparison tools and services.”

“Travel Tech and its member companies worked tirelessly to educate policymakers about the complex and multilayered information flow from hotels to different types of intermediaries,” said Chadwick. “As a direct result of our advocacy, both the FTC rule and S.2498 include provisions that ensure accurate mandatory fee information is relayed to consumers through both direct and indirect channels.”

“We are grateful for Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) in championing S.2498, along with Representatives Young Kim (R-CA-40) and Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), who introduced H.R. 6543, the House companion bill. Travel Tech calls on Congress to finalize passage of the Continuing Resolution without delay.”

The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents travel technology innovators ranging from dynamic startups, small, and midsize businesses to leading online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

Wednesday, December 4, 2024 – Today, Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of the Travel Technology Association, released the following statement following the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Permanent Investigations hearing titled, “The Sky’s the Limit—New Revelations About Airline Fees.”

“Travel Tech thanks the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations for holding a hearing focused on ensuring transparency and fairness in airline fee ancillary fee practices. Transparent pricing is essential to empowering travelers with all the information they need to make informed choices.

“Travel Tech’s mission is to empower traveler choice by advocating for transparency and competition. These principles ensure that consumers benefit and travel service providers can thrive in a fair, open marketplace. We look forward to working with policymakers to address these important issues.”

The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents travel technology innovators ranging from dynamic startups, small, and midsize businesses to leading online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

Comments Emphasize Airline Responsibility and Consumer-Friendly Transparency in Family Seating Regulations

November 07, 2024 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) filed comments on the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Family Seating Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). Travel Tech expressed its support for the DOT’s commitment to ensuring families with young children can sit together on flights without incurring additional fees, while highlighting the need to focus regulatory responsibility on air carriers, which control seating policies.

In its comments, Travel Tech addressed the DOT’s proposed requirement for airlines to facilitate family seating and emphasized that ticket agents, including online travel agencies and other intermediaries, do not have control over seating assignments. Travel Tech underscored the importance of making certain the regulation clearly identifies air carriers as responsible for implementing family seating accommodations.

“Travel Tech supports the DOT’s efforts to improve families’ travel experience,” said Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of the Travel Technology Association. “Our priority is ensuring that the final rule prioritizes airlines’ role in seating assignment without burdening ticket agents. Clear, targeted regulations will prevent confusion and help families enjoy a more seamless travel experience.”

Travel Tech’s comments included a recommendation to refine the term “online platform” in the rule to specifically apply to air carriers’ own websites and apps. This adjustment would prevent any unintended impact on third-party booking platforms and other intermediaries. Additionally, Travel Tech urged the DOT to confirm that any required refunds for families unable to secure adjacent seating should be the exclusive responsibility of the air carrier, as ticket agents do not have the necessary control over seating arrangements to facilitate these refunds.

Travel Tech also noted the importance of ensuring ticket agents and intermediaries have access to complete, real-time seating information to provide consumers with the transparency they need to make informed decisions when booking travel.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

Legislation includes key provision to protect intermediaries when hotels provide inaccurate resort fee information

Wednesday, July 30, 2024 – The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) issued a letter of endorsement for an amendment to S.2498, the Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2024, offered by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and supported by Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS). The amended bill was reported favorably by U.S. Senate Commerce Committee today.

S.2498, the Hotel Fees Transparency Act, as amended, will provide much-needed transparency about resort and other mandatory fees directly benefiting American consumers. It will require consumers to be shown the total price for hotel rooms and other places of short-term lodging, including the nightly rate and all mandatory fees, for the first time in federal law. This consistency is critical since consumers very often search for options across state lines.

“Travel Tech strongly supports the amended Hotel Fees Transparency Act. This legislation will provide consumers with complete and consistent pricing details—not only the room rate but also the mandatory fees set and assessed by the hotel—no matter where they live and how they shop for lodging,” stated Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech. “Promoting transparency is a top priority of Travel Tech and its members. S.2498 will enable travelers to plan more effectively while promoting fair marketplace competition.”

S.2498, the Hotel Fees Transparency Act, as amended, includes an important provision sought by Travel Tech to protect the indirect distribution channel when hotels provide inaccurate resort fee information. The bill provides intermediaries with a “rebuttable presumption of compliance”

“Travel Tech is grateful to have worked with Senators Klobuchar and Moran, Chairwoman Cantwell, and Ranking Member Cruz on this important, bipartisan common-sense provision,” said Chadwick. “Only hotels know if their resort fees are accurate. S.2498, as amended, rightly requires them to provide accurate resort fee information to consumers shopping for travel in the direct and indirect channels.”

The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents travel technology innovators ranging from dynamic startups, small, and midsize businesses to leading online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

April 24, 2024 — Today, the Department of Transportation issued two final rules impacting the travel tech industry: the transparency of airline ancillary service fees and refunds of airline tickets for delayed or canceled flights.

“Travel Tech has long supported the Department of Transportation’s goals to provide greater transparency to airline consumers on ancillary fees and clear guidelines on how and when refunds are made. Regrettably, today’s final rules fail to account for how these goals can technically be achieved, adding unnecessary costs and confusion for consumers,” said Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech).

In its ancillary fee comments, Travel Tech strongly advocated that airlines be required to provide critical ancillary fee information to all ticket agents and intermediaries, including GDSs, and not only to consumer-facing ticket agents as proposed by the Department of Transportation. Many ticket agents rely on GDSs to access airline schedules, fares, and availability information. Unfortunately, in the final ancillary fee rule, the Department declined to alter its proposal.

“Unfortunately, by not including GDSs, the very purpose of this rulemaking will be undermined, making it harder for ticket agents to inform consumers about the cost of ancillary services,” said Chadwick. “Had airlines been required to provide ancillary fee data to all ticket agents, transparency for consumers could have been achieved in months, not years. Consumer advocates cited this reason in their comments for supporting Travel Tech’s position.”

The Department’s final refund rule requires airlines and ticket agents (when acting as the merchant of record) to provide refunds to consumers within seven business days. While the rule requires airlines to notify ticket agents “without delay” when a consumer is eligible for a refund, it will still create situations in which ticket agents must provide refunds without first receiving the consumers’ funds back from the airlines.

“The final refund rule will render ticket agents as airlines’ de facto banks, forcing agents to float airlines’ refunds potentially indefinitely. Doing so unfairly places ticket agents in a precarious financial position that risks their ability to provide comparison shopping tools for consumers in the first place.”

The Travel Technology Association calls on Congress to pass its FAA reauthorization legislation. House and Senate versions of the bill include provisions supported by Travel Tech that provide sensible relief from some aspects of the Department’s final ancillary fee and refund rules.

The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents travel technology innovators ranging from dynamic startups, small, and midsize businesses to leading online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

Final bill may be considered before the expiration of the FAA’s authorization extension on May 10th

March 27, 2024 – This week, Travel Tech sent letters to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the U.S. House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure as they work to align H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act of 2023 and S. 1939, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023 into one FAA reauthorization bill to be considered by both the House and Senate. Travel Tech’s letters highlighted its preferred changes to best support consumers as they purchase airline tickets.

“Travel Tech appreciates Congressional leaders for their hard work to get this critical legislation across the line,” said Travel Tech President & CEO, Laura Chadwick. “It is now critical that this bill is finalized in a way that gives travelers the transparency and choice they deserve.”

Ticket Agents are the largest travel industry segment not represented on this key advisory committee. Allowing them to become members will provide valuable insights currently not reflected in the committee, helping the Department of Transportation meet its consumer protection mission.

Sec. 702 of the Senate bill directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue a final rule to apply refund requirements to Ticket Agents in the case of canceled or significantly delayed flights. However, Ticket Agents are not in a fiscal position to provide refunds without first receiving the passengers’ funds back from the airlines. The House bill clarifies this provision and should be fully adopted.

Section 702 of S. 1939 requires Ticket Agents to prominently display on their websites a link that passengers eligible for a refund may use to make a request. However, because many Online Travel Agents offer services beyond airfare comparison shopping and booking on their sites, these links will likely cause confusion among consumers seeking refunds for hotels, car rentals, or other services. Furthermore, Travel Management Companies that do not sell to the public already have specific refund obligations under their contracts. Finally, metasearch engines that direct customers to other sites have no record of which flight a customer ultimately purchased and should be similarly exempt.

The Full Fare Advertising Rule requires that the entire price for airfare, including taxes and fees, be disclosed to consumers in the first instance following an itinerary search. Its repeal will undermine consumers’ ability to effectively comparison shop and choose the best travel option to meet their needs and budget.

The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents travel technology innovators ranging from dynamic startups, small, and midsize businesses to leading online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

Comments Advocate for Intermediaries and Liability Protections When Travel Suppliers Fail to Provide Accurate Mandatory Fee Information

February 8, 2024 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) filed comments on the FTC’s Trade Regulation Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees NPRM. Travel Tech expressed support for the Commission’s continued efforts to enhance competition and pricing transparency for consumers but advocated that revisions be made about who should be held liable when inaccurate mandatory fee information is provided by travel service providers, including hotels.

Travel Tech provided detailed information in its comments about the indirect distribution channel, where millions of price points are transmitted from hotels and other travel service providers to Travel Tech member companies and other intermediaries. This complex process is critical to enabling the price and quality comparison tools consumers rely on.

“Travel Tech is committed to enhancing the consumer travel experience through transparency and competition,” said Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech. “However, the FTC’s proposed rule assumes that hotels will pass along its mandatory fee information – charges only they know and possess – but this is not always the case.”

Travel Tech strongly urged the Commission to revise its proposed rule to make clear that Intermediaries are not liable when Travel Service Providers fail to provide accurate, complete, and timely mandatory fee information as long as Intermediaries make reasonable efforts to receive such information.

Six years ago, Congress passed a law that held that intermediaries cannot be found liable when air carriers operating in the United States fail to provide information or data is required for intermediaries to comply with a rule about customer service information (FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-254 § 427, 132 Stat. 3340.). In addition, thirty-nine states have similar laws in place when sellers provide inaccurate sales tax information to marketplaces. In its comments, Travel Tech argued that the FTC should apply similar standards in its final rule.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

Major Activity Anticipated by Congress, Regulatory Agencies, and State Legislatures in 2024

January 10, 2024 — With Members of Congress returning to Capitol Hill this week, Travel Tech released a briefing on the state of play for public policy impacting the travel industry. As interest in travel continues to rebound with consumers and policymakers, the association is keyed into ongoing legislative and regulatory fights on behalf of travel tech companies.

Advocating for One National Mandatory Fee Price Transparency Law and Enforcement Fairness for Travel Tech Companies

Policymakers on both the federal and state levels continue to pursue efforts to hold hotels accountable when they withhold information about their mandatory fees from travelers. Travel Tech supports a single, national standard and a common-sense provision to account for situations when hotels fail to provide accurate and complete information to price comparison sites.

Anticipating Final Rules on Refunds and Ancillary Fee Transparency by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in February and March

According to the federal government’s Unified Regulatory Agenda, the DOT will issue its final rules on Airline Ticket Refunds and Consumer Protections in February and Enhancing Transparency of Airline Ancillary Service Fees in March of this year. Travel Tech filed comprehensive comments on both proposed rules, as each will majorly impact the travel technology industry.

Securing Travel Tech’s Priorities in the Long-Term Reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by Congress

The second extension of the FAA expires on Friday, March 8, 2024. The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee will likely soon schedule a markup of S. 1939, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023. In July 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act. Both pieces of legislation include major Travel Tech priorities, and the association continues to advocate actively for provisions included in S.1939.

Travel Tech supports S.2033, the American Innovation and Choice Online Act (AICOA) to address the vast inequities resulting from extremely large search platforms, like Google, abusing their dominant position and undermining competition.

Both state and federal policymakers are grappling with how AI tools should be regulated. Given the concerns about inaccurate or outdated information and recommendations, copyright issues, ethical risks and more, the use of AI in travel may soon be a focal point in such discussions. Travel Tech will engage with policymakers on the responsible use of AI in the travel sector.

Sign up for Travel Tech’s Passport newsletter and stay in the know about news and public policy impacting the travel tech industry. Delivered every Wednesday, Passport keeps industry leaders up-to-date on current and emerging issues and advocacy efforts.

The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents travel technology innovators ranging from dynamic startups, small, and midsize businesses to leading online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

On Wednesday, December 6^th, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce considered H.R. 6543, the No Hidden Fees on Extra Expenses for Stays (FEES) Act. In advance of the markup, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) submitted a letter to the Members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The committee passed the legislation in a vote of 44-0.

The No Hidden FEES Act will require – for the first time ever in federal law – consumers to be shown the total price for a hotel room (including rate and all mandatory fees). Under this legislation, the total price must be “transparent to and easily understood by the consumer.”

Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of Travel Tech stated, “The No Hidden Fees on Extra Expenses for Stays Act is an important first step to bring much-needed transparency to consumers from hotels to rein in their troubling resort fee practices.”

Travel Tech supports provisions in the bill that will set a single, national standard for the transparency of mandatory fees assessed by hotels. It will create uniformity and certainty for hotels, short-term rentals, online ticket agents, metasearch agents, and others, and most of all, travelers – no matter where they reside in the U.S. – about what is included in advertised pricing for lodging.

“Despite the benefits of this legislation, H.R. 6543, however, lacks a common-sense provision to account for when hotels fail to provide accurate and complete information to price comparison sites,” Chadwick added.

Thirty-nine states have laws in place to protect against situations when inaccurate sales tax information is conveyed from the seller to the marketplace and onto the consumer. These state laws rightly hold the seller – in this case, hotels – responsible in such instances and not the marketplaces like those of Travel Tech member companies. Travel Tech simply seeks the same fair consideration on the federal level regarding mandatory fee information.

The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents travel technology innovators ranging from dynamic startups, small, and midsize businesses to leading online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

Association to Submit Comments in Response to Junk Fee Challenges in the Indirect Channel

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently published its proposed Trade Regulation Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees and is currently seeking public comment. If adopted, this wide-sweeping regulation would directly impact companies in the travel tech sector, including those that engage in the indirect sale of hotel rooms or other places of short-term lodging and/or place a surcharge on consumer transactions to cover the cost of payment processing and beyond.

To support travel tech industry members, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) has developed a free regulatory analysis to help companies understand this proposed new regulation. Travel Tech is working with its members to submit comments by the new official due date of February 7, 2024. (Interested in learning more about membership? Learn more here.)

Access Travel Tech’s Free Regulatory Analysis on FTC Junk Fees

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The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents travel technology innovators ranging from dynamic startups, small, and midsize businesses to leading online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

Bill’s Safe Harbor Provision is Essential for Pro-Consumer Price Comparison Sites

On Wednesday, November 1st, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce held a markup on the No Hidden FEES Act of 2023. The Act will require – for the first time ever in federal law – consumers are shown the total price for a hotel room (including rate and all mandatory fees) wherever hotel pricing is available. Under this legislation, the total price must be “transparent to and easily understood by the consumer.”

Travel Tech and its members continue to engage on this important legislation, working with subcommittee staff to incorporate a safe harbor provision similar to those used in many states for sales and occupancy tax collection.

Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech said: “Providing transparent and competitive pricing to consumers is central to price comparison websites’ business models. The safe harbor language ensures that hotels must share their resort fees not only on their own websites but on price comparison sites too.”

“Without a safe harbor, price comparison sites would have to engage in costly, time-intensive investigations and contract dispute litigation with the tens of thousands of hotels providing their rates and taxes – but not their mandatory fees – to these sites,” Chadwick added. “Doing so will detract from price comparison sites’ core purpose: providing a transparent and competitive marketplace for consumers to find and book their travel.”

Multiple states have identical safe harbor laws for sales and/or occupancy tax collection. In these cases, if sellers fail to provide accurate tax information to price comparison sites, the sellers are ultimately responsible – not the marketplace. The same should follow on the federal level if a hotel provides inaccurate resort fees to a travel marketplace.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

U.S. House of Representative Committee considers the No Hidden Fees on Extra Expenses for Stays (FEES) Act

On September 27, 2023, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce convened a hearing on “Proposals to Enhance Product Safety and Transparency for Americans” where H.R.___, the No Hidden Fees on Extra Expenses for Stays (FEES) was considered. In written testimony, Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech, expressed the organization’s general support for the bill.

“The No Hidden FEES Act is an excellent first step toward setting a national standard for resort fee transparency,” said Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech. “The Travel Technology Association believes travelers should be able to make informed decisions without hidden surprises or unexpected expenses. We will continue to work with Congressional leaders and travel stakeholders to improve the bill.”

Travel Tech worked closely with House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce leadership on the development of the legislation to ensure uniformity and certainty for hotels, short-term rentals, online ticket agents, metasearch agents, and most of all, travelers, on what mandatory fees are included in advertised pricing for lodging.

Travel Tech supports a single, national price transparency standard. Without one, a “patchwork” of state regulations, with different regulations and potential penalties, would likely emerge. This would place a significant compliance burden on the travel technology industry.

California is likely to be the first state to adopt price transparency laws since President Biden announced his efforts to end “junk fees” in his 2023 State of the Union Address. Governor Newsom has until October 14th, 2023 to sign CA Senate Bill 478 and CA Assembly Bill 537 into law. In July 2023, Travel Tech sent a letter of opposition to the California State Assembly urging legislators to hold off on taking state action to allow the federal legislative and rulemaking processes to create a uniform standard for consumer protection and lodging price display.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

California Governor Newsom Set to Sign Bills Into Law, U.S. Congress to Consider Resort Fees Bill Soon

Following two votes by its state assembly the week of September 11th, California is a step closer to being the first state to adopt price transparency laws – SB 478 and AB 537– since President Biden announced his efforts to end “junk fees” in his 2023 State of the Union Address. Governor Newsom has until October 14th, 2023 to sign the legislation. Travel Tech supports a single, national price transparency standard to create uniformity and certainty for consumers, lodging operators and travel technology companies.

To assist travel technology industry members in understanding this new legislation, Travel Tech has prepared an informational memo regarding SB 478 and AB 537; current and future federal legislative and regulatory efforts regarding price transparency; and Travel Tech’s advocacy efforts on this issue.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

On Wednesday, September 20th, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) submitted supplemental comments in response to supplemental comments by Airlines for America (A4A) regarding the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) proposed “Enhancing Transparency of Airline Ancillary Service Fees” rulemaking. In these comments, Travel Tech refutes A4A’s assertion that the DOT rulemaking is unnecessary.

“Travel Tech supports the Department’s rulemaking as it has rightly determined that a problem exists for consumers,” said Laura Chadwick, President and CEO, in the comments. “While fees for ancillary services aren’t mandatory, many passengers need to purchase these services. As such, consumers ought to have the ability to know and compare the true cost of their air travel before they purchase it, which includes these critical ancillary fees.”

Furthermore, in response to A4A’s claim that “a healthy market exists today,” Chadwick responds,

“Travel Tech agrees with A4A that contracts between Global Distribution Systems and airlines that include ancillaries are a positive development, but progress has been slow and incomplete and has been happening in the shadow of DOT’s repeated efforts to address the lack of pricing transparency caused by airline unbundling. Travel Tech respectfully urges that now is the time for the Department to act and to effectively address this issue.”

Travel Tech continues to advocate in support of the DOT’s proposed rule, as modified to ensure that all intermediaries who provide fare and schedule data to online ticket and travel agents receive ancillary information from airlines. Doing so will ensure consumers have transparency into the full cost of an airline ticket and won’t be surprised by hidden critical ancillary fees.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

Travel Technology Industry Advocates for Transparency, Supporting Traveler Choice

“Promoting transparency is a top priority for the Travel Technology Association and its members. It is essential that travelers make informed decisions without hidden surprises or unexpected expenses. When travelers have complete pricing details, they can accurately compare different options and make choices that align with their preferences and budget,” stated Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech.

“Public policy that supports clear and upfront information about the total cost of travel early in the planning process and across all booking and advertising channels encourages competitive pricing practices. There should be a single national standard that will create uniformity and certainty for lodging operators, travel technology companies, and most of all, travelers, who will have a better understanding of what is included in advertised prices.

“We look forward to working with Senators Klobuchar and Moran on the Hotel Fees Transparency Act to ensure travelers have the ability to accurately compare different options and make choices that best suit their preferences.”

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

On Thursday, July 13^th, Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of the Travel Technology Association, was featured alongside John Breyault from the National Consumers League in an NBC News story about efforts to repeal the Full Fare Advertising Rule. Under the current rule, the Department of Transportation (DOT) requires any advertised airfare to include the total cost to the consumer for the ticket, including all applicable government taxes/fees and any mandatory carrier-imposed surcharges. However, a provision in the House FAA Reauthorization bill would eliminate this requirement and instead allow airlines to advertise ticket prices without including government taxes and other required fees.

Chadwick and Breyault both expressed concerns over efforts to change this rule. As Chadwick stated, “You can’t comparison shop on the checkout page. It’s essential to put that information up front, the first place where consumers see the airfare.”

The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents the leading innovators in travel technology, including global distribution systems, online travel agencies, metasearch companies, travel management companies, and short-term rental platforms.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

At the recent U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) hearing on its proposed “Enhancing Transparency of Airline Ancillary Service Fees” regulation, Laura Chadwick, Travel Tech President and CEO, submitted a coalition letter signed by U.S. Travel, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), Hopper, and Sabre to express their shared concerns about the proposed rule’s first-page search results requirement. Chadwick noted during her testimony that this letter demonstrates “in one document the many stakeholders who take issue with this part of the proposed rule.” Recently, the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) joined this letter as a signatory as well.

Across their written comments to the Department, these organizations detailed how the mandatory inclusion of ancillary fee information on the first-page of search results would negatively impact consumers. In the letter submitted by Chadwick, they collectively ask the Department to allow for flexibility and innovation in how ancillary fee information is presented to consumers so long as it is early in the purchase process.

March 30, 2023 – Public Hearing – U.S. Department of Transportation’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Enhancing Transparency of Airline Ancillary Service Fees

Whether Consumers Are or Are Likely To Be Substantially Injured or Misled by Airlines’ Current Disclosures of Ancillary Service Fees

I am Laura Chadwick, president and CEO of the Travel Technology Association, also known as “Travel Tech.” Our mission is to empower traveler choice. To do so, we bring together travel innovators to promote transparency and competition through education and advocacy. Our members include online ticket agents, metasearch engines, global distribution systems, travel management companies, and short-term rental platforms. I am proud to be a witness today alongside member companies Priceline, as part of Booking Holdings, Skyscanner, and Amadeus.

Thank you to the Department for granting Travel Tech’s petition for this hearing to discuss the proposed “Enhancing Transparency of Airline Ancillary Service Fees” rule, specifically regarding its requirement that critical ancillary fees must be shown on the first page of search results. We took this extra step of filing this hearing petition because we strongly hold that Travel Tech member companies are best positioned to determine how ancillary fee information should be presented to consumers. You will hear from three experts from Travel Tech member companies later today who testify to the intense efforts that their companies pursue to serve the needs of their consumers.

Travel Tech, as it did in 2014, supports this rulemaking. Advocating for transparency for consumers is who we are and what we do. It’s in our member companies’ DNA – transparency was a driving force behind the founding of their companies years ago to support consumers.

But before we can address issues relating to how critical ancillary fees can and should be presented to consumers, we must discuss the critical ancillary fee data itself. This is so important because the transparency of ancillary fee data is impossible without permanent access to the data in the first place.

Travel Tech and our member companies strongly agree with the Department’s finding that consumers are or are likely to be substantially injured or misled by airlines’ current disclosure of ancillary service fees. And we likewise agree with the DOT’s proposed requirement that critical ancillary fee data must be provided by airlines. It is indeed unfair and deceptive that consumers purchasing their tickets through the indirect channel do not have guaranteed access to critical ancillary fee information. Ticket agents, however, cannot provide to consumers what ticket agents do not themselves have – that is, the fee data itself.

Now, to whom critical ancillary fee data is provided is a different story. As we extensively detail in Travel Tech’s written comments, we strongly believe the Department must alter its proposed rule and require airlines to provide critical ancillary fee data to all intermediaries the airlines use to distribute their schedule and fare information. This includes providing the ancillary fee data to global distribution systems.

Travel agents of all sizes greatly rely on Global Distribution Systems to provide schedule and fare information from across the 400 airlines operating around the world. It’s hard to overstate how essential GDSs are in facilitating comparison shopping on Travel Tech members’ consumer-facing sites.

Allowing airlines to skip over GDSs and provide the ancillary fee data directly to ticket agents – as the proposed rule currently states – will have a tremendous impact on a ticket agent’s ability not only to digest but also then display critical ancillary fee information, much less so on the first page of search results. Ticket agents today have no existing infrastructure whatsoever to match ancillary fee data with the schedule and fare data provided to them by the GDSs. It will take years of work and massive investments to build these duplicative capabilities and not the six months that the Department has proposed. The years of work needed to make this happen will greatly delay the achievement of the overall goal of this rulemaking: providing transparency of critical ancillary fees to consumers.

Witnesses from Travel Tech members will highlight how difficult displaying critical ancillary fees would be without the involvement of GDSs in addition to their technical expertise about the Department’s proposed first-page search results requirement.

Whether Disclosures of Itinerary-Specific Ancillary Fees at the Time of First Search Will Result in the Display of Incomplete or Inapplicable Ancillary Fee Information, Cause Consumer Confusion, and Distort the Marketplace

Thank you again to the Department for granting this hearing and for the opportunity to speak today.

Travel Tech, in its written comments and in our hearing petition, expressed its deep concerns about the Department’s proposed first-page search results requirement. As I stated earlier, we took this extra step of filing a hearing petition because we strongly hold that Travel Tech member companies are best positioned to determine how ancillary fee information should be presented to consumers.

This proposed rule would mandate that carry-on and checked baggage fees, change and cancellation fees, and family seating fees be shown in text only on the first page of search results. It would specifically ban the use of rollovers or web links. This provision would apply to both airline and ticket agent sites.

You will hear from true experts on flight search display from Travel Tech members today. They will provide great detail about the technical infeasibility of this provision. They will also speak directly to the deep impact it would have on consumers, especially those shopping on travel comparison sites that display hundreds of flight combinations across a multitude of different airlines.

I want to take a moment to highlight the other organizations – beyond Travel Tech and the airlines – that submitted comments on this proposed rule and what they said about this first-page search results provision.

The US Chamber of Commerce wrote, “…Without the ability to display fee information via pop-ups or roll-overs, the strict and prescriptive display requirements required under the NPRM would have the effect of bombarding consumers with irrelevant fee and fare information on a single webpage, making ticket agent webpages difficult to navigate and cluttered.”

US Travel stated, “Additionally, more and more consumers are utilizing mobile devices rather than web browsers to make travel plans. Increasing the amount of required information to be shared during the purchase process on smaller screens will lead to an inferior user experience, increased consumer frustration and the type of information overload that diminishes consumer interest and comprehension.”

The Global Business Travel Association is “concerned by the sheer volume of proposed ancillary fee information on the first page creating confusion for travelers. The requirement to include all information on the first page may actually have a negative effect, as screen real estate is consumed by ancillary fee information, reducing the number of available flights able to be displayed in a single webpage, and requiring substantially more search time to compare options.”

And even the AARP submitted comments and wrote, “However, without additional guidance, there is the potential that displaying all fees in the same place as the fare could be visually overwhelming for some consumers, adding confusion rather than reducing it.”

And there are further comments noting concern about the first-page search results beyond what I have now presented. Today, Travel Tech is submitting a letter signed by US Travel, the US Chamber, the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), Hopper, and Sabre to the docket to demonstrate in one document the many stakeholders who take issue with this part of the proposed rule.

The rationale of this first-page search results requirement – as described in the NPRM’s “Need for a Rulemaking” section – was quote “because most passengers travel once per year or less, they may not be aware of certain ancillary service fees, such as those related to seat selection.” According to the Department and per consumer advocates, consumers continue to be surprised by these optional services, and therefore, all critical ancillary fees must be shown on the first page of search results along with schedule and fare information.

We at Travel Tech were “curious, not judgmental” about this conclusion and wanted to hear directly from consumers about what they knew about ancillary fees and their understanding of optional services, like checking bags or selecting a seat.

To do so, Travel Tech fielded an online survey of over 1,000 U.S. adult consumers from March 24-26, a few days ago. The topline results that I will now share were weighted to be representative of the overall population.

These results are clear evidence – even though they may travel once a year or less – that consumers are incredibly aware of the existence of critical ancillary fees. Not too many consumer surveys reach numbers of 96% awareness. Consumers know that critical ancillary fees are now a part of travel – they expect these fees and know that they are optional services and not required. There are no surprises here. As such, there is no need to overload the first-page search results with the extra information this rule would require.

Thank you again to the Department for granting Travel Tech’s hearing petition and for the opportunity to speak today. I have greatly enjoyed hearing from all of the witnesses on this matter of first-page search results. We greatly appreciate references and call-outs from other companies and organizations about how much more difficult this proposed provision would hit the independent channel, which shows consumers fares from a multitude of different carriers all at once.

I appreciate Andrew Applebaum’s observations about Expedia’s website. We are glad that you are pleased with how ancillary fee information is presented today. However, if you are pleased today, then I must ask why do we need this first page search results provision?

I also wanted to address John Breyault’s testimony regarding Travel Tech’s petition. He says that we could ask for consumer data at the search input screen. This is not what the proposed rule would require. Further, this proposed change from the proposed rule would face the same exact technical infeasibility issues that the first-page results do, which you will hear about in great detail from the witnesses from Travel Tech member companies.

Right before lunch, we heard from Corey Vezna of Priceline, and prior to that Jay Richmond from Amadeus and Katie Hinchin of Skyscanner. And we are pleased to hear Jay and Corey speak once more today on question 3. But all three of these experts in flight search from Travel Tech members have already touched on the technical infeasibility of the proposed first-page search results requirements and its negative impact on consumers.

I wanted to quickly take an opportunity to share thoughts from another Travel Tech member company who were unable to join us at this hearing today.

Glenn Wallace, head of product of technology at Fareportal, and previously a founding employee at Expedia, told me that, “The pricing permutations of flight schedule, fare type/cabin, and specific seats are huge, and requiring that all options and therefore all combinations are shown at the first page will place a huge computing and communication burden on industry systems, and lead to slower page retrieval times, larger web pages, and materially slower page loading times.”

Any Future Regulations Should Apply Equally to All Entities Supplying Travel Pricing Information

[Arlington, VA] [February 8, 2023] – The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), the voice of the travel technology industry and consistent advocate for public policy that supports a competitive and transparent marketplace, filed comments today in response to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) seeking comments on the “prevalence of fee practices that may be unfair or deceptive acts or practices,” (Commission Matter No. R207011).

“Travel Tech members are steadfast advocates for transparency. It is core to their business models and the services they provide to consumers,” stated Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of the Travel Technology Association. “Across all aspects of travel planning, transparency allows travelers to compare options, make informed choices, and receive the best value.”

In its comments, Travel Tech details how its members provide travelers with all information provided to them by accommodation suppliers so consumers are aware of the resort fees that will be assessed on-site.

Travel Tech’s comments also address how ambiguous or overly narrow rules potentially adopted by the FTC may impact the online travel marketplace.

“Any regulation in this area must apply equally to all entities advertising travel pricing information to consumers both online and offline. Without a level playing field, it could distort the online marketplace for travel, and lead to more consumer frustration, and not less.”

The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) is the voice of the travel technology industry, advocating for public policy that promotes transparency and competition in the marketplace to encourage innovation and preserve consumer choice. Travel Tech represents the leading innovators in travel technology, including global distribution systems, online travel agencies and metasearch companies, travel management companies, and short-term rental platforms.

To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact media@traveltech.org.

Three Innovative Start-Ups Join Travel Tech’s Growing Membership Network

April 22, 2026

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 — The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), the non-profit trade association representing leaders and innovators across the travel technology industry, is pleased to welcome three new companies to its Start-Up Membership Program: Nappr, Pintours, and Solutionz. These early-stage companies are building technology-driven solutions that expand how travel is experienced, delivered, and […]