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.”
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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 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 Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
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.
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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 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 Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
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.”
Earlier this month, Travel Tech issued a letter of support for the reintroduction of the Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025 (S. 314), the Senate companion bill to this legislation. Travel Tech also strongly supported S.2498, the Hotels Fees Transparency Act of 2024, which was removed at the last minute, along with other commerce-related bills, from the Continuing Resolution passed by Congress at the end of last year.
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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 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 Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
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 (119th)) by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Jerry Moran (R-KS). S.314 was previously known as S.2498 in the 118th 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.
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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 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 Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
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.”
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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 Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
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.”
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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 Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
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.”
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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 Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
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.
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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 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 Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
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”
if they relied in good faith that the information provided to them was accurate. Travel Tech detailed this issue and its implications in its comments to the Federal Trade Commission in response to its Trade Regulation Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Along with its comments, Travel Tech provided a diagram of the indirect distribution channel to illustrate the complex and multilayered indirect distribution channel.
“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 Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
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 Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
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 […]
