Food delivery apps have become a staple of convenience, but not without their frustrations. The FTC recently reached a $25 million settlement with GrubHub after finding the company misled customers about delivery fees and restaurant availability.

According to the complaint, GrubHub obscured extra fees by making them appear as part of the overall delivery cost, leaving customers unaware they were paying more than advertised. For example, what seemed like a $5 delivery fee might have included an additional “service fee” of $2.50, quietly added to the bill without clear labeling.

The settlement not only requires GrubHub to pay refunds to affected diners but also mandates clearer disclosures moving forward. What does this mean for you? Expect a more transparent breakdown of costs the next time you order. That clarity might even inspire you to rethink your dining options, potentially saving you money by avoiding inflated fees.

This case will likely have ripple effects throughout the food delivery industry. Other services, such as DoorDash and Uber Eats, may take steps to become more transparent about their fees to avoid similar legal challenges. In the end, this could lead to a better experience for all consumers using these platforms.

Booking a hotel room has long involved navigating a maze of hidden charges. Resort fees are often added for amenities like pools or gyms, whether you use them or not. Facility fees might be charged for vague services like “maintenance” or “upkeep,” while energy surcharges cover utility costs. Even adjustments such as early check-in or late check-out can come with hefty, unexpected fees.

These so-called “junk fees” are now banned. Hotels and vacation rental platforms must display the total price more prominently than other pricing information. As FTC Chair Lina M. Khan stated, “People deserve to know upfront what they’re being asked to pay, without worrying that they’ll later be saddled with mysterious fees that they haven’t budgeted for and can’t avoid.”

For travelers, this means no more unpleasant surprises at checkout. A room advertised at $99 per night will now reflect the full cost upfront, including all mandatory charges. Not only does this transparency make comparison shopping easier, but it also saves consumers millions of hours previously spent searching for total prices. The FTC estimates that eliminating hidden fees for hotels and short-term rentals will save Americans up to 53 million hours annually, valued at more than $11 billion over the next decade.

The Junk Fees Rule also targets the frustrating experience of buying live-event tickets, where hidden fees often inflate the cost by 20% or more. Under the new rule, ticket sellers must prominently display the total price, including service charges, delivery fees and other mandatory costs, rather than burying them in the final stages of checkout. Businesses can still provide itemized breakdowns, but the most prominent price must be the all-in total — what consumers ultimately care about.

Some ticket sellers welcomed the move. Live Nation, the ticketing giant behind Ticketmaster, highlighted its existing “all-in pricing” model, implemented in late 2023. “We’ve led the industry by adopting all-in pricing at all Live Nation venues and festivals and applaud the FTC’s industry-wide mandate,” the company wrote in a press release. Within six months of its policy change, Live Nation reported an 8% increase in ticket sales, demonstrating that greater transparency can benefit both consumers and businesses.

The rule’s development reflects a strong consumer demand for fair pricing. Beginning in 2022, the FTC solicited public comments on hidden fees, receiving more than 12,000 responses about how deceptive practices affected spending and competition. A second round of comments in 2023 drew an additional 60,000 submissions, which the FTC considered in finalizing the rule.

Together, these three changes signal a broader push for consumer protection. By holding companies accountable for misleading practices, the FTC is helping Americans save money, reduce frustration and rebuild trust in everyday transactions.

Leslie Meredith has been writing about technology for more than a decade. As a mom of four, value, usefulness and online safety take priority. Have a question? Email Leslie at asklesliemeredith@gmail.com.