Junk Fees Just Got Grounded

The New FTC Rule, Explained

Starting May 12, 2025, hotels and short-term rentals in the U.S. are now required to show the total price—including resort, destination, or amenity fees—up front. That means no more $120 rooms that mysteriously become $175 when it’s time to pay.

Under the Federal Trade Commission’s new Junk Fee Rule, lodging providers must list the full cost clearly and prominently in advertisements and booking pages. This includes any mandatory fees that were once buried in fine print or added at checkout.

This rule doesn’t ban the fees themselves, but it does outlaw misleading pricing tactics that hide the real total. So while resort fees aren’t going away, the sticker shock might.

Why It Matters

The FTC’s crackdown follows years of complaints about "junk fees"—mandatory charges that hotels disguise as extras, even when they don’t offer much in return. Common culprits include:

• Resort fees that cover things like Wi-Fi, gym access, or pool towels

• Destination fees at urban hotels, often with vague “amenities” that travelers never use

• Property service charges with no clear explanation at all

These fees can add $20–$50+ per night and are especially rampant in vacation hubs like Las Vegas, New York City, and Orlando.

Hotels will now need to list these fees as part of the total price wherever they advertise—whether it’s their own website, a booking engine like Expedia, or Google Travel search.

Can Hotels Still Charge Them?

Yes. The new rule doesn’t outlaw the fees—it simply requires transparency. So you’ll likely still pay them, but you’ll know the full cost earlier in the booking process.

Some hotels have already adapted. For example:

• Wynn Las Vegas now explicitly states that the rate includes resort fees.

• MGM Resorts shows a full price breakdown at the top of their booking flow.

But if a property hides or misrepresents the fees? They could be hit with fines over $50,000 per violation.

What Nonrevs Should Know

If you’ve ever jumped on a last-minute trip and been hit with an unexpected $45-a-night “hospitality fee,” this rule is for you.

For passriders, it’s especially helpful when planning short trips or booking on the fly—where time is tight and comparing total costs quickly matters. It also makes spotting a good airline employee rate that much easier, since you can now see the full value up front.

Pro tip: Be sure to shop around and compare. Many properties that offer verified airline staff rates will often exclude or waive these fees entirely. Still, check the fine print—some “exclusive” deals can still sneak in charges unless you're elite or book a specific promo.

Final Thoughts

Resort and destination fees aren’t disappearing—but they’re finally being dragged into the light. For nonrevs and airline staff, that means fewer booking surprises, easier price comparisons, and better chances of snagging a truly good deal.

As always: double-check your total before you book, and when in doubt, look for industry rates or loyalty perks that waive fees altogether. The clearer the pricing, the smoother your standby stay.