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POTUS Announces New Actions to Crack Down on Junk Fees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 15, 2023
PRESS CONTACT: Eileen Garcia, (786) 486-1302, [email protected]

POTUS ANNOUNCES NEW ACTIONS TO CRACK DOWN ON JUNK FEES

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Today, President Biden will deliver remarks on protecting consumers from hidden junk fees and putting more money back in the pockets of everyday Americans. During his remarks, the president will announce actions by several companies – including Live Nation, SeatGeek, xBk, Airbnb, the Pablo Center at the Confluence, TickPick, DICE, and the Newport Festivals Foundation – that currently provide all-in pricing or are announcing a new commitment to do so in the coming months.

“Ask any consumer these days, and they will agree — junk fees are getting out of control. Whether it’s overdraft fees, credit card late fees, hidden hotel booking fees, or contract termination charges, companies are working overtime to nickel and dime Americans. Thankfully, President Biden is cracking down on unfair charges and implementing new rules to fight back on surprise fees and put dollars back in pockets.” said Building Back Together spokesperson McKenzie Wilson. “On behalf of all American Swifties, we applaud this effort to fight back on outrageous fees and force companies like Live Nation to change their ways.”

Thanks to President Biden’s economic agenda, hardworking families are saving money and receiving a better shopping experience: 

  • Live Nation is announcing a commitment to roll out an upfront all-in pricing experience in September showing just one clear, total price.
  • Ticketmaster will also add a feature to give consumers the option to receive all-in upfront pricing for all other tickets sold on the platform.
  • Seat Geek will roll out product features over the course of the summer to make it easier for customers to shop on the basis of an all-in price.
  • xBx will introduce all-in pricing for over 15,000 tickets sold to over 100 events hosted at the venue.

These actions build on the Biden-Harris Administration’s government-wide effort to give families more breathing room by eliminating junk fees. Previous actions include:

  • In March, the FTC released a proposed rule that would require that companies make it as easy to unsubscribe as it is to subscribe. It would also require that consumers get notice upfront of the terms of the subscription and receive regular reminders that they are subscribed.
  • In March, after President Biden called out hidden airline junk fees on families sitting together, three major airlines stepped forward to guarantee that parents can sit with their young children without getting nickel and dimed.
    • In May, the Department of Transportation released a new family seating dashboard that highlights the airlines that guarantee fee-free family seating, and those that do not.

President Biden’s economic agenda continues to give working families more breathing room, including by eliminating junk fees from big corporations that unfairly nickel-and-dime family budgets each month.

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