New FTC rule on mandatory fee disclosure: What FareHarbor tour operators need to know
A new rule from the Federal Trade Commission will change how some businesses need to display prices online.
Starting May 12, 2025, a new rule from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has changed how some businesses need to display prices online. If you offer short-term lodging or sell live-event tickets, you’ll need to include all mandatory fees — including the FareHarbor booking fee — in the total price shown to customers from the very beginning of their booking experience.
This means no hidden fees at checkout or surprise charges later. Customers will see the real, full price upfront, making it easier for them to compare options and book with confidence.
This guide will explain the new FTC rule and help you understand the tools FareHarbor offers to support your compliance with this new rule.
How to know if this affects your business
The new rule only applies to businesses selling:
- Short-term lodging (hotels, vacation rentals, etc.)
- Live-event tickets (concerts, sports events, theater performances, etc.)
If your offerings fit into these categories, it’s time to review your pricing setup. We’ve updated our Help Page with resources on how to adjust your FareHarbor Dashboard and online pricing displays to comply.
What you need to do
- Update website prices to match the final, total price shown in your FareHarbor booking experience.
- Include all mandatory fees directly within the customer type price.
- Avoid using custom fields to add mandatory fees separately. (If you currently do this, we have instructions on how to update.)
Depending on your business type, FareHarbor may proactively update your pricing previews to help you comply. However, it’s ultimately your responsibility to confirm whether the FTC rule applies to you and ensure your pricing is fully compliant.
Need additional help?
We’re here to support you! If you need help adjusting your setup, please:
- Review our comprehensive Help Page
- Contact FareHarbor support
- Reach out to your account manager for guidance
Please note: while FareHarbor is assisting with platform updates, we recommend consulting a legal professional if you have any questions about your business’s compliance obligations.
