AI-assisted source summary. Read the scope and exceptions, then follow the original documents below.
Applies to
United States · live tickets & short-term lodging
Time context
Rule effective May 12, 2025
Sources checked
This federal rule covers two sectors. State rules may add protection; it is not a universal ban on fees or dynamic pricing.
The actual change
Since May 12, 2025, the FTC rule requires businesses advertising prices for live-event tickets or short-term lodging to disclose the total upfront. It focuses on transparent presentation, not controlling the amount a business charges.
Known, calculable mandatory charges belong in that total, including required resort or cleaning fees. Government charges, shipping and genuinely optional extras may be shown later, but must be disclosed before payment. A preselected add-on is not automatically optional.
Keep the initial quote and checkout breakdown for the same dates, guests and options. When prices differ, identify the specific charge before treating it as a hidden mandatory fee.
Original documents used for this summary. Multiple links from one publisher are not independent corroboration. Policies can change after the check date.
AI-assisted research, writing and translation by No Secrets, using the linked public documents. This is a source summary, not firsthand reporting or an independently audited investigation. No affiliate links are used in this article.
The date above records this research pass, not the date of every underlying event. The English and Chinese versions are AI-assisted summaries; the linked original controls if they differ.