Hotel "Junk Fee" Consumer Protection Lawsuit

This consumer class action targets the widespread practice of "drip pricing" in the hotel industry, where mandatory fees are not included in the advertised room rate. Plaintiffs allege that major hotel chains like Hilton and Marriott intentionally advertise a low nightly rate to attract customers, only to add mandatory "resort fees," "destination fees," or "service charges" at the end of the booking process.

The lawsuit argues that this practice is deceptive advertising, as these fees are not for optional amenities but are a mandatory part of the room cost. By hiding the true price, hotels prevent consumers from easily comparing costs, leading them to make decisions based on incomplete information. The suit seeks to force hotels to display the all-in price upfront and to refund illegally collected fees.