President Biden continues his campaign against hidden travel and hospitality fees, focusing on airline and hotel charges as Thanksgiving travel peaks. The administration aims to eliminate "junk fees" and resort charges that obscure true costs until late in the booking process.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) recently mandated airlines to disclose all potential fees upfront during booking, though the airline industry is challenging this regulation in federal court. Biden advocates for airlines to cover hotel and meal costs during significant delays or cancellations.

This initiative gains relevance as Charlotte Douglas International Airport faces worker strikes during peak holiday travel, particularly affecting American Airlines operations. Airport service workers, including cleaning and assistance staff, initiated a 24-hour strike on Monday.

While the proposal enjoys public support, the airline industry argues that upfront fee disclosure would confuse consumers, especially those with airline status or different travel needs.

The initiative extends to casino resorts, where hidden fees significantly impact final costs. For example, Caesars Palace advertises $259 nightly rates that actually total $350.29 after adding their $49.95 daily resort fee plus taxes. These resort fees typically cover basic amenities like Wi-Fi, fitness center access, and local calling.

Airlines for America opposes the changes, claiming transparent pricing might mislead customers about necessary expenses. Despite industry pushback, the administration remains committed to fee transparency across travel and hospitality sectors.

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