The US House of Representatives today passed the No Hidden FEES Act, a major 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.