New York Puts an End to Hidden Hotel Fees: Relief for Tourists Ahead of the 2026 World Cup – Gateway Hispanic

In a move that benefits consumers by banning hidden charges that many travelers pay when booking hotels, starting February 21, 2026, hotels offering rooms in the city will no longer be allowed to add extra fees such as “resort fees,” “destination fees,” or other mandatory charges that are not shown from the beginning of the booking process.

This is part of a new regulation aimed at ensuring greater transparency and clarity in pricing for guests, just as New York prepares to welcome a major influx of visitors for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The measure was officially announced by officials from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), who explained that hidden fees are a common source of frustration among travelers.

According to city officials, many consumers have complained that when booking a room, the initial price does not reflect the total amount they will ultimately pay due to surprise charges that only appear at the end of the purchase process or even at check-in.

This new regulation requires that the price advertised from the start include all mandatory fees, without exceptions, and it also requires hotels to clearly disclose any credit card holds or deposits that were previously made without prior notice.

New York City received more than 300 consumer complaints in 2025 related to these practices, and studies estimate that banning these fees could save residents and visitors tens of millions of dollars throughout 2026 and beyond.

Although the regulation primarily applies to hotels within the city, it also extends to booking websites and hotels outside New York that display prices to consumers in the city, requiring them to comply with the transparency standards.

This decision marks a victory for consumers and travelers who have faced the frustration of paying more than expected for their stays, and it comes at a key moment: with the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, millions of tourists will visit New York and other cities across North America.

The city has decided that transparency must prevail, preventing unpleasant surprises and allowing families, soccer fans, and visitors to better plan their trips without overpaying for services that were not clearly explained from the beginning.

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About The Author

Mariana Ramirez Medina

Mariana Ramírez es una joven nacionalista mexicana comprometida con la verdad y la excelencia en el periodismo. Con una sólida vocación por informar, su propósito es acercar a los lectores a la realidad de los acontecimientos con claridad, honestidad y sin manipulaciones.
Se distingue por su transparencia y su dedicación a la búsqueda de hechos verificables, convencida de que el periodismo debe ser un pilar de confianza entre la sociedad y la verdad.
También aspira a destacar como una periodista reconocida por la profundidad de sus investigaciones, su compromiso con la integridad y el respeto con el que aborda cada historia.
Impulsada por la misión de fomentar una sociedad más informada, consciente y crítica, Mariana trabaja para que la verdad sea el eje central de su labor periodística, contribuyendo con responsabilidad y rigor al debate público.

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