You know when you see a hotel rate online and then later during the booking process you find out you're going to have to pay a mandatory "resort fee" not included in the advertised rate? Makes you feel kind of cheated, doesn't it?
Well, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) could be coming to the rescue. Sources tell the Washington Post that the consumer protection agency is looking for ways to close a loophole allowing hotels to add required fees to their rates, provided they disclose them before purchase. That allows some hotels to tack on a resort fee for amenities previously included in the standard hotel price, like use of the business center and fitness room. Consumer advocates say that's unfair and deceptive—and increasingly expensive. In the first half of 2016, such fees have increased 8% to an average of $19.52 a night.
If hotels are not allowed to charge hidden resort fees, they'd have to include them in the base rate. Says the Post: "That would make [rooms] appear more expensive, but consumers would know they are getting the rate they would actually pay."
What a concept.
