Latest news with #pricetransparency
Hospitality Net
22-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
FTC Junk Fee Rule is effective May 12, 2025
After many years of study and proposals, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has finally adopted its Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees, or junk fees, which takes effect on May 12, 2025. The rule prohibits bait-and-switch pricing and other tactics used to hide total prices and mislead people about fees in the live-event ticketing and short-term lodging industries. The rule also furthers President Trump's Executive Order on Combating Unfair Practices in the Live Entertainment Market by ensuring price transparency at all stages of the live-event ticket-purchase process, including the secondary ticketing market. The FTC has been critically looking at 'junk fees' for a long time. Over several years, it proposed banning 'Unfair or Deceptive Fees' across many industries. However, on Dec.17, 2024, the FTC surprised many when it published a significantly revised version as its final 'Junk Fees Rule' (16 CFR Part 464). The rule was scheduled to become effective 120 days after its publication in the Federal Register. See related blog, 'Junk Fees: FTC finally adopts the Final Junk Fees Rule but with focus on Hotels, Short-Term Lodging & Live Event Ticket Sales.' The FTC published Frequently Asked Questions to provide consumers and businesses with information regarding the agency's rule. NOTE: We represent the owners and operators of hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality facilities. We do not represent consumers making claims against such businesses. When it comes to junk fee laws at the state or national level, we help the owners and operators of hotels, restaurants, and hospitality facilities understand and comply with them. When claims are made against them by consumers or competitors, we advise on strategies and defense of such claims. Jim Butler +1 310 201 3526 JMBM View source
Zawya
14-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Price Observatory — a digital tool to empower shopping decisions
Muscat: Consumer Protection Authority (CPA), which in the past launched an innovative initiative called the 'Price Observatory', a digital platform that empowers citizens and residents to make informed shopping decisions and strengthens price transparency across the market, has called for people to make good use of it. The platform evolved significantly in 2023, with the rollout of an upgraded version that now covers more than 750,000 products across 21 commercial centres in Muscat Governorate. The CPA has announced plans to expand the system nationwide. The observatory now includes data on both essential goods and non-essentials, offering a holistic snapshot of market pricing. Beyond development and deployment, the CPA actively promotes the use of the Price Observatory through its official social media accounts, regularly reminding the public of the platform's benefits. With the hashtag #ShopWisely, the authority encourages consumers to be proactive in managing their budgets and to use the tool to detect irregularities in pricing. With the service, the message is clear. An informed consumer is not only protected, but becomes a vital part of broader market oversight. Nasser al Balushi, a government employee and father of three, shared: 'I used to struggle with price differences between stores. But with the Price Observatory, I now plan ahead and choose the centre with the best prices. I save nearly RO 20 a month — it's made a real difference for my family budget.' Sameera al Rashdi, a school teacher, said: 'I check the platform almost daily, especially when there are promotions. It helps me compare prices and even inform my friends when I notice major price gaps. I truly feel like I'm part of a larger system that protects consumers.' The platform's impact extends beyond individual consumers. By fostering transparency and competition, it incentivises retailers to keep prices fair and consistent. It also discourages unethical pricing practices and promotes an overall healthier retail ecosystem. The Price Observatory embodies Oman's forward-looking approach to digital governance and reflects the CPA's commitment to citizen welfare. More than a service, it is a symbol of how digital tools can support public interest and economic balance. By using the Price Observatory, consumers can not only protect their purchasing power, but also contribute to a more transparent and accountable marketplace. As the platform continues to evolve, its success depends on public engagement — because protecting consumer rights is a shared responsibility. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Skift
09-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
No More Hidden Hotel Fees? New FTC Rule and Legislation Target Price Transparency
Hotel and online travel companies have issued their support for the FTC's rule, and some brands — including Airbnb — have begun complying with it. A new Federal Trade Commission rule requiring transparent prices for hotels, online booking sites, and short-term rentals takes effect May 12, and Congress is moving to make portions of the rule permanent. The House passed the Hotel Fees Transparency Act on April 28 and the Senate companion bill (S. 314) advanced out of the Senate Commerce Committee in February. The legislation and the FTC rule would require online bookers and hotels to include a total price upfront that includes charges or fees for mandatory goods or services, excluding taxes. The legislation and the FTC final rule have the backing of online travel companies and hotel groups, and some have already begun complying: Airbnb announced in late April that it was showing the total price without taxes worldwide on the first view – no need to toggle to see the all-in cost including fees. 'Our bipartisan bill will lower costs for hotel rooms and short-term rentals by increasing transparency and banning hidden fees, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to bring it to the Senate floor,' Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said in a statement after the House bill passage. Hotel and online booking trade groups say the legislation creates a unified national standard as more states pass their own differing laws on hotel pricing transparency. So far, California and Minnesota have passed similar hotel transparency pricing laws. The FTC rulemaking and the federal legislation are 'complements' to each other, said Laura Chadwick, president and CEO of the Travel Technology Association, which represents the online travel sites like and 'Transparency breeds competition, we take no issue with hotels charging these fees, but we have long held it should be included in the full price,' Chadwick said. While the FTC rule doesn't prohibit the charging of any fees, it requires certain disclosures and prohibits misrepresentations to prevent unfair or deceptive pricing practices. In addition to hotels, short-term rental, and online booking companies, it is also directed toward live-ticket sales sites too, like LiveNation and Ticketmaster. The rulemaking process started in 2023 under the leadership of the Biden Administration's FTC Chair, Lina Khan. It was finalized last December in a 4-1 vote, with current FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson voting against it not on merit, but on the principle that he didn't support the Biden administration moving forward on rulemaking during the end of its term. FTC rulemaking sets the standard for the states to follow, but states can set stronger transparency laws. The federal bill would set a national standard that preempts existing state laws that have hotel or other short-term rental fee disclosure requirements that conflict with those in the bill. The American Hotel and Lodging Association, which represents more than 1,000 large hotel chains, also backs the legislation and FTC rule. Matt Carrier, AHLA's senior vice president of federal affairs, policy and research, said many of its hotel members have been doing all-in pricing for several years, but they support the rule and federal legislation because it sets a level playing field. "Even though the FTC rule will shift the industry to all-fee inclusive pricing, what the law would then do is lock that in for the benefit of both consumers as well as businesses on what is the definition of a total price," Carrier said. Chadwick said she's 'hopeful' for Senate floor action soon. However, a spokesperson for the Senate Majority Leader declined to comment on the timing of a Senate floor vote. Rebecca Kern is a freelance reporter based in Washington, DC, who previously wrote about tech and energy policy at Politico and Bloomberg Government. She also briefly worked in communications for the Federal Trade Commission writing about privacy and data security actions.
