The US House of Representatives has passed the No Hidden Fees Act. The legislation aims to ensure lodging cost transparency for consumers across the lodging industry, including hotels and short-term rental platforms, and extending to online travel agencies and metasearch sites.

The bill, which was introduced by Reps. Young Kim, R-CA, and Kathy Castor, D-FL, would establish a comprehensive single standard for transparent and mandatory fee displays across the industry. It was unanimously approved by the House Energy & Commerce Committee in December and passed the House in a bipartisan vote. 

The legislation now moves to the Senate, where a similar bill, the Hotel Fees Transparency Act, has been introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar, D-MN, and Jerry Moran, R-KS.

“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,” said Kevin Carey, interim president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. “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.”

According to AHLA, only 6 percent of hotels nationwide charge a mandatory resort/destination/amenity fee, which averages $26 per night.

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