Dispute hidden 'resort' or ticket fees that weren't in the advertised price
Since May 2025, an FTC (Federal Trade Commission, the federal consumer-protection agency) rule requires hotels, vacation rentals and live-event ticket sellers to show the total price upfront.
1. Copy this prompt
Paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Grok (the free versions work), then replace the [highlighted brackets] with your details. Leave out account numbers and SSNs.
I booked [HOTEL / VACATION RENTAL / EVENT TICKETS] on [DATE]. The advertised price was $[PRICE]. At [checkout / check-in] I was charged these extra fees: [LIST]. 1) Explain in plain English what the FTC's Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees requires for this kind of purchase and what it doesn't cover (like taxes). 2) Tell me whether my fees look like they should have been in the upfront price. 3) Draft a short, polite refund request. 4) Tell me how to report it to the FTC.
2. Follow these steps
(stored only in your browser; uncheck to erase)
What to expect, and what to do if they say no
What happened when people tried it
- We haven't verified a real-world example for this one yet, so it's a tool guide plus a prompt. Tried it? Tell us what happened (link below).
Why this works
The problem: Mandatory fees that show up only at checkout or at the front desk inflate the price you agreed to.
How AI helps: AI can compare your screenshots and receipt, explain the FTC rule in plain English, and draft a refund request and a report to the FTC.
Tools & what they cost
| Tool | Cost |
|---|---|
| ChatGPT | Free option available (Paid upgrades exist, but the free version works for this) Free tier; paid plans available |
| Claude | Free option available (Paid upgrades exist, but the free version works for this) Free tier; paid plans available |
| FTC: Report fraud | Free (No cost at all) Free |
What do these labels mean?
- Free No cost at all.
- Free option available Paid upgrades exist, but the free version works for this.
- Costs money You pay a set price or subscription.
- Takes a cut of savings Charges a percentage of what it saves you.
- Time · Difficulty Our estimates for a typical first try, not guarantees.
- Reported What the linked source says happened, often self-reported. Your results will vary.
Watch out for
- No verified AI-specific success story yet. This is a how-to guide built on official sources.
- The rule covers live-event tickets and short-term lodging; it doesn't ban fees, it requires them to be included in the upfront total price.
- Taxes and some optional add-ons can be shown separately.
Was this helpful?
Tried it? Tell us what happened, good or bad. We read every reply and may share success stories (only with your OK).
Sources
- https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/05/what-rule-unfair-or-deceptive-fees-means-you
- https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/05/ftc-rule-unfair-or-deceptive-fees-take-effect-may-12-2025
Last verified 2026-10-19. Not financial, legal, tax or medical advice. Disclaimer.