New York City and Beyond: Mayor Mamdani Cracks Down on Hotel "Junk Fees"
In a move aimed at protecting consumers, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced a new rule that will prohibit hotels from charging sneaky extra fees, also known as "destination fees" or "resort fees." These hidden charges often catch tourists off guard and can add hundreds of dollars to their hotel bill.
Under the new rule, which takes effect on February 21, all hotels in New York City as well as those outside the city that advertise prices to New Yorkers will be required to disclose all mandatory fees upfront. This includes credit card holds and deposits, as well as other charges that are not included in the advertised price.
Mayor Mamdani's move is part of a broader effort to crack down on deceptive business practices, including hidden fees on gym memberships, concert tickets, and magazine subscriptions. The mayor has signed two executive orders targeting these types of fees and plans to continue cracking down on unfair pricing.
The ban on "junk fees" will apply not only to hotels in New York City but also to businesses located outside the city that advertise prices to New Yorkers. California and Massachusetts have similar laws, which demonstrate the growing trend towards consumer protection.
Tourists planning to visit New York City for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be among the first to benefit from the new rule, with an estimated 1 million visitors expected to descend on the city. The city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection has hailed the move as "the strongest hotel consumer protection anywhere in the country."
The hotel industry had been pushing back against the ban, but Mayor Mamdani remained steadfast in his commitment to protecting consumers. The mayor was joined at a press conference by Rich Maroko, president of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, who praised the mayor's efforts to go after "corporate lawbreakers." However, some observers have noted that the move may pose challenges for the mayor, particularly in navigating relationships with powerful unions whose interests may not always align with his own.
The new rule marks a shift towards economic justice over economic development, which has raised concerns in the business community. Mayor Mamdani argued that businesses following the rules should be heartened by the crackdown on deceptive pricing practices. "Today is not just to hold bad actors accountable," he said. "It's also to say to those who have been good actors that we see the work that you're doing."
In a move aimed at protecting consumers, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced a new rule that will prohibit hotels from charging sneaky extra fees, also known as "destination fees" or "resort fees." These hidden charges often catch tourists off guard and can add hundreds of dollars to their hotel bill.
Under the new rule, which takes effect on February 21, all hotels in New York City as well as those outside the city that advertise prices to New Yorkers will be required to disclose all mandatory fees upfront. This includes credit card holds and deposits, as well as other charges that are not included in the advertised price.
Mayor Mamdani's move is part of a broader effort to crack down on deceptive business practices, including hidden fees on gym memberships, concert tickets, and magazine subscriptions. The mayor has signed two executive orders targeting these types of fees and plans to continue cracking down on unfair pricing.
The ban on "junk fees" will apply not only to hotels in New York City but also to businesses located outside the city that advertise prices to New Yorkers. California and Massachusetts have similar laws, which demonstrate the growing trend towards consumer protection.
Tourists planning to visit New York City for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be among the first to benefit from the new rule, with an estimated 1 million visitors expected to descend on the city. The city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection has hailed the move as "the strongest hotel consumer protection anywhere in the country."
The hotel industry had been pushing back against the ban, but Mayor Mamdani remained steadfast in his commitment to protecting consumers. The mayor was joined at a press conference by Rich Maroko, president of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, who praised the mayor's efforts to go after "corporate lawbreakers." However, some observers have noted that the move may pose challenges for the mayor, particularly in navigating relationships with powerful unions whose interests may not always align with his own.
The new rule marks a shift towards economic justice over economic development, which has raised concerns in the business community. Mayor Mamdani argued that businesses following the rules should be heartened by the crackdown on deceptive pricing practices. "Today is not just to hold bad actors accountable," he said. "It's also to say to those who have been good actors that we see the work that you're doing."
like seriously who hasnt had to deal with those extra fees in nyc? its like they just magically appear on ur bill lol. so glad mayor mamdani is taking action here, its about time someone stood up for consumers. i mean california and massachusetts are already doing it but nyc is always the hub of everything so yeah this feels like a huge win 
. I've been ripped off so many times when booking hotels for business trips and never even knew what all the extra fees were for 
. This is a huge win for consumers, especially tourists who don't know any better. The fact that it's not just NYC but also applies to businesses outside the city that advertise prices to New Yorkers shows that the mayor is really pushing through with this change 
. I'm curious to see how the hotel industry reacts and whether they'll find ways to work around it 
. One thing for sure, though - consumers are going to breathe a sigh of relief when they don't get hit with surprise fees again 
.
. but at least now we have some transparency, which is super important. i'm all for protecting consumers and making sure businesses are being upfront about their prices. maybe this will set a precedent for other cities to follow? 
. And now, at least, we know what we're gettin' into when we book a room. It's all about consumer protection, you feel me? 
California and Massachusettts have had similar laws, so this isn't just NYC bein' weird. The hotel industry is gonna have to step up their game if they wanna keep those sweet, sweet profits 
.
! It's like they think we can't figure out what we're paying for upfront. I mean, come on, why should we be surprised when our credit card is held for some extra cash? Mayor Mamdani's new rule is a total game-changer - finally, we'll know exactly how much we're being charged before we even step foot in that hotel room! 
. California and Massachusetts have similar laws already, so it's awesome to see NYC joining the party.
ugh, finally some sense from our NYC mayor!!! I mean, can u believe ppl pay hundreds of dollars more than they should?! its like, hello! we r talkin about tourists here, not some big business deal. i swear, hotels think they can just add on a bunch of extra fees and get away with it? no way, joe! 
Mayor Mamdani is like, totally on it with this whole hotel fee crackdown thingy. I'm all about protecting consumers and stuff, so kudos to him for taking a stand against those sneaky extra charges! 
Bring on the change!
. This new rule is a game-changer for consumers, especially when it comes to traveling. I mean, who wants to show up at their hotel only to find out they've been charged hundreds of dollars for "resort fees" or whatnot? 
. It's not just about hotels, but about creating a more transparent and equitable marketplace. I mean, if businesses are going to play by the rules, they should be rewarded with trust from consumers 
over economic development 
.
! Like, can't believe some hotels thought they could just slap on extra charges without telling customers 
. It's all about consumer protection now, and I am HERE. FOR. IT 
, with the transparency of hotel prices being top-notch. Can't wait to see other states follow suit like California and Massachusetts 
. It's all about economic justice over development – yay for fairness 
!
. This new rule means that all hotels will have to be transparent about what they're charging upfront, which is super fair 
. It's always the consumers who get hit with these sneaky fees 
. I hope this sets a good example for other cities to follow