Hidden pay to compelled are consumers everywhere almost seemingly purchases common going concert, travel airline. The bill will help end this price gouging by forcing full upfront disclosure and restricting abusive fees. Our charges will be fair and transparent, as consumers rightly demand and deserve.” Blumenthal emphasized that the basic mandate of common sense fairness and transparency will be upheld.
Whitehouse stated that consumers incur undisclosed charges when buying various items, such as airfare and concert tickets. The Junk Fee Prevention Act introduced by Whitehouse aims to offer consumers the transparency they rightfully deserve during their purchasing process.
The Junk Fee Prevention Act is a direct response to President Biden’s call to action, urging Congress to pass legislation that would eliminate the billions of dollars in junk fees that consumers are being charged every year. The act would allow the U.S. Department of Transportation to impose violations and require airlines to seat children with an accompanying adult at no extra cost. It would also empower the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission to enforce new rules, ensure transparency, prevent excessive fees, and require full price disclosure for services.
The legislation specifically targets excessive online ticket fees, airline family seating fees, exorbitant early termination fees, and surprise resort or destination fees.
The Act for Preventing Unnecessary Fees has been supported by the Consumer Federation of America, National Consumers League, and Consumer Reports.
Erin Witte, the Director of Consumer Protection at the Consumer Federation of America, stated, “The Junk Fee Prevention Act aims to clamp down on the most flagrant junk fees in ticket sales, hotel bookings, air travel, and telecommunications, and will create fair competition for consumers and reputable businesses.” “CFA commends Senators Blumenthal and Whitehouse for their ongoing support of consumers and their initiative to eliminate junk fees through the introduction of this legislation.”
The Junk Fee Prevention Act is a long overdue solution that will help consumers promote competition in the marketplace and keep more money in their pockets. According to John Breyault, Vice President of Public Policy at the National Consumers League, businesses that deceptively look cheaper and harm their honest competitors by making services and products with hidden fees are fundamentally unfair to consumers who rely on nickel-and-diming business models.
Chuck Bell, the director of the advocacy program at Consumer Reports, expressed that consumers are justifiably frustrated with the abundance of unnecessary charges that significantly increase the cost of various things such as event tickets, hotels, airline flights, and internet services. He further mentioned that these unnecessary charges can accumulate and impose a significant financial burden on families, especially considering the current inflationary pressures affecting their finances. Bell also emphasized the need for Congress to safeguard consumers from these unjust and misleading fees by enacting the Junk Fee Prevention Act.