In a landmark decision that will significantly impact how tourists book Las Vegas hotels, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has passed a final rule banning hotels from hiding mandatory resort fees in their advertised rates. This change, approved by a 4-1 vote, promises to bring unprecedented transparency to hotel pricing across Las Vegas and the entire United States.
Starting in spring 2025, hotels must display the total price, including all mandatory fees, in their initial advertised rates. The rule requires hotels to show the total price more prominently than any breakdown of charges and clearly disclose the nature, purpose, and amount of each fee before customers commit to payment.
Las Vegas hotels are known for some of the highest resort fees in the country. Currently, premium Strip properties like Bellagio and Mandalay Bay charge $55 per night, while mid-tier properties like Luxor charge $45 per night. To illustrate the impact, consider this real example from December 2024: The Luxor advertises rooms for $25 per night, but guests must pay an additional $45 resort fee, making the actual nightly rate $70 – nearly triple the advertised price.
According to FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, “People deserve to know up-front what they’re being asked to pay – without worrying that they’ll later be saddled with mysterious fees that they haven’t budgeted for and can’t avoid.”
The impact of this change is expected to be substantial. The FTC estimates consumers could save up to $11 billion over the next decade. Travelers will save an estimated 53 million hours annually that would have been spent calculating total costs. The rule will eliminate what the FTC calls “unfair and deceptive pricing practices.”
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has supported the change. AHLA President & CEO Rosanna Maietta stated that the organization has been “leading the charge to establish a single, federal standard for lodging fee display across the industry because consumers deserve to have transparency no matter where or how they book their stays.”
Until the new rule takes effect, Vegas visitors should always check resort fees before booking, factor in both the room rate and resort fee when comparing hotels, look for the total price including fees in the final booking screen, keep documentation of all advertised rates and fees, and consider loyalty programs that may waive resort fees.
This change represents one of the most significant shifts in hotel pricing transparency in recent years. For Las Vegas visitors, it means clearer pricing and easier budgeting for future trips. The rule’s implementation in 2025 will coincide with several new resort openings and renovations on the Strip, potentially marking a new era in how tourists plan and book their Vegas vacations.
The Vegas Navigator is committed to providing accurate, up-to-date information about changes affecting Las Vegas visitors. Follow us for continuing coverage of this and other important developments in Sin City.
