Consumers Would Be Allowed 24-Hour Hotel Booking Cancellations With Full Refund Under Glazer Bill

A second bill would require lodging services to provide up-front pricing that shows all added fees

SACRAMENTO – Consumers would be able to make cancellations with a full refund, at no charge, up to 24 hours after they make a booking with hotels, short-term rentals and third-party booking services under legislation that Senator Steve Glazer introduced Thursday, along with 13 co-authors.

Many lodging services do not offer free cancellation with a refund under any circumstances. Others charge extra fees to cancel or offer no refund.

“Internet searches can provide a jungle of conflicting links, and consumers can easily fall into a quicksand of misleading pricing on lodging,” Senator Glazer said. “Many mistakes are irreversible on some third-party reservation sites. Unfortunately, no state or federal law protects consumers under these unfair circumstances.

“This bill would provide greater protections for consumers in case they inadvertently made a mistake while booking, or change their minds about where to stay,” Senator Glazer said.

SB 644 is co-authored by: Senators Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, Bob Archuleta, D-Pico Rivera, Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, Dave Cortese, D-San Jose, Bill Dodd, D-Napa, Melissa Hurtado, D-Fresno, Monique Limon, D-Santa Barbara, Josh Newman, D-Fullerton, Susan Rubio, D-Baldwin Park, Tom Umberg, D-Santa Ana, and Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, and Assembly members Mike Gipson, D-Carson, Kevin McCarty, D-Sacramento.

Under a second consumer protection bill that Senator Glazer introduced Thursday, all lodging services, would be required to display the total cost of the stay inclusive of all extra fees, rather than just the “nightly” cost. Lodging companies would be required to display all fees, such as resort and destination fees.

“This bill would help consumers by making sure they are aware of the total cost prior to payment on the internet or before check-in at the lodging establishment,” Senator Glazer said.

The bills are:

• Senate Bill 644 – click here
• Senate Bill 683 – click here

Sen. Dodd, AG Bonta and Sen. Skinner Propose Ban on Hidden ‘Junk Fees’

SACRAMENTO – Responding to the proliferation of hidden charges on purchases, Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, partnered with Attorney General Rob Bonta and Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, to introduce legislation today that would outlaw what President Joe Biden has called “junk fees,” ensuring consumers are not exposed to deceptive business practices that add unfair costs.

“Californians are sick and tired of dishonest fees being tacked on to seemingly everything,” Sen. Dodd said.  “It’s an underhanded trick to boost corporate profits at the expense of those who can least afford it. Working with Attorney General Bonta and Senator Skinner, we’re going to put an end to these unfair practices that President Biden has so righteously shined a bright light on. It is time we put the consumer first and create a level playing field for those businesses who are good actors and advertise the real price upfront.” — full story