Travel
Hotel and Rental Car Fees: Total Prices and Rental Insurance Basics
Know the real price of the room and the car before you book.
Email me updatesBy the ForLowerBills team · Last updated: October 14, 2026 · Sources checked: October 14, 2026
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Surprise fees at checkout are one of the most frustrating parts of travel. There's a federal rule for lodging prices now, and a few questions that can save you money at the rental car counter.
1. Hotels and vacation rentals must show the total price
The FTC's Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees took effect May 12, 2025. It covers short-term lodging (hotels, motels, inns, vacation rentals) and live-event tickets, including third-party booking sites.
When a business shows a price, it must show the total price more prominently than other prices. That includes mandatory fees like resort or cleaning fees. Government taxes and optional add-ons can be left out of the total, but must be disclosed, along with the final amount, before you pay. Businesses also can't misrepresent what a fee is for or whether it's refundable.
If you see a mandatory fee sprung on you at checkout, you can report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (opens in a new tab).
Official sources
2. Rental car insurance: what the counter offers
The NAIC explains the main products rental companies offer. Before your trip, call your auto insurer and your credit card company to see what you already have.
- Collision/Loss Damage Waiver (CDW/LDW): if you have collision and comprehensive on your own car, the NAIC says you likely won't need it.
- Liability insurance: if you're adequately insured on your own car, you may consider skipping it.
- Personal accident insurance: you may not need it if you have adequate health and disability coverage, or personal injury protection on your auto policy.
- Personal effects coverage: homeowners or renters insurance generally covers belongings already.
- Credit card coverage is often secondary, paying only after other insurance. If you don't own a car, the NAIC suggests considering a non-owner policy, or buying liability and CDW at the counter if your card doesn't provide benefits.
Official sources
3. Other rental car costs to ask about
- Fuel: return it full, or know the refueling charge.
- Tolls: ask how tolls are billed and whether there's a daily device fee.
- Extra drivers, young driver fees, and one-way drop-off fees.
- Airport locations can cost more than nearby off-airport branches; compare the total.
- Photograph the car, inside and out, before you drive away and when you return it.
Get updates to this fees guide
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FAQ
Is the FTC hotel fee rule in effect?
Yes. The FTC's Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees took effect May 12, 2025, for short-term lodging and live-event tickets.
Can hotels still charge resort fees?
The rule doesn't ban fees, but mandatory fees must be included in the total price shown up front.
Do I need the rental company's collision waiver?
If you have collision and comprehensive on your own car, the NAIC says you likely won't. Confirm with your insurer before your trip.
Disclaimers
General information only, not legal, medical, tax or financial advice.
- ForLowerBills.com is an independent website. We are not a government agency, a law firm or a travel company, and there are no paid links on this page.
- Rules, fees and amounts change. Always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.
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We hope this helps. — the ForLowerBills team