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Consumer Protection

The Apex Building, headquarters of the Federal Trade Commission, in Washington, D.C.

The FTC's Click-to-Cancel Rule Is Dead. Your State's Isn't

A federal court vacated the FTC's click-to-cancel rule in 2025. Since then, Connecticut, New York City and half a dozen other states have passed their own versions.

Business  · 19 Jul 2026, 09:26  · Priya Raman
The Apex Building in Washington, D.C., headquarters of the Federal Trade Commission, which enforces the 2025 junk fees rule.

Drip Pricing Is Now Illegal — But Only in Two Industries

The FTC banned hidden fees on tickets and hotels last year. Everywhere else, from restaurants to airlines, the same trick is still perfectly legal.

Business  · 17 Jul 2026, 15:22  · Priya Raman
A stadium ticket booth window, representing the live-event ticket sales the FTC's junk fees rule covers.

The FTC Rule That's Supposed to Kill Surprise Ticket Fees

A federal rule now bans hiding mandatory fees until checkout for tickets and hotels. Here's what's covered, what's exempt, and how to tell it's working.

Business  · 17 Jul 2026, 09:28  · Priya Raman
A diner taps a credit card on a restaurant payment terminal as card fees increasingly get passed on as a surcharge.

Are Restaurant Credit Card Surcharges Legal? It Depends on the State

A record 34% of merchants now surcharge credit card transactions, but the legal limit changes wildly by state — banned outright in three, capped in a dozen others.

Business  · 15 Jul 2026, 15:15  · Priya Raman
Passengers waiting at an airport departure gate.

Why Airlines Sell More Tickets Than They Have Seats

An empty seat is revenue an airline can never get back once the door closes, which is why carriers deliberately sell a few more tickets than they have seats.

Business  · 12 Jul 2026, 05:16  · Priya Raman