Biden goes after fees levied for flights, hotels and tickets

President Joe Biden took swipes at airlines and hotels Wednesday as he called on Congress to limit certain extra charges they impose on consumers. Biden said Congress should restrict airline seat-assignment fees imposed on families trying to sit together, so-called resort fees that many hotels now tack on to the bill, excessive service charges on tickets for concerts and sporting events, and fees to switch or cancel internet, cable or cellphone service. “They charge extra — you don’t know that going in though — and it’s wrong.” A spokeswoman for Airlines for America, a trade group that represents the largest U.S. carriers, said its members — including American, United, Delta and Southwest — don’t charge family-seating fees, although some budget airlines do. The larger airlines “make every effort to accommodate customers traveling together, especially those traveling with children, without additional charges, and consumers are offered a range of choices at the time of ticket purchase, including various seating options,” said the spokeswoman, Marli Collier. The department issued guidance last July urging airlines to do so “to the maximum extent practicable.” Biden also took aim at hotels for adding resort fees, “which can be over $50 a night, when you check out.” A spokesman for the American Hotel and Lodging Association said 94% of hotels don’t charge resort fees.