⚖️ Case Overview

Case Type: Class Action — False Advertising / Drip Pricing

Defendant: Empire Hotel

Status: Recently Filed

Vertical: Class Action False Advertising

Hotel Junk Fees Under Fire: Empire Hotel Faces Class Action Over 'Drip Pricing' Allegations

A new class action lawsuit is targeting a well-known hotel brand over accusations that it deliberately conceals mandatory fees from consumers during the booking process — a deceptive practice commonly referred to as "drip pricing."

According to recent reporting on the class action filing, the lawsuit alleges that Empire Hotel advertises room rates that appear lower than what guests are ultimately charged, only revealing additional mandatory fees later in the checkout process. The complaint claims this practice misleads consumers into believing they are getting a better deal than the actual total price reflects.

The case adds Empire Hotel to a growing list of hospitality industry defendants facing legal scrutiny over fee transparency — and raises broader questions about how hotels present pricing to prospective guests online.

1. Empire Hotel — Drip Pricing Class Action

Status: Recently Filed

Estimated Payout: Not yet determined

Who May Qualify: Consumers who booked rooms at Empire Hotel and were allegedly charged fees not prominently disclosed at the initial point of advertising

The lawsuit alleges that Empire Hotel engages in "drip pricing" — a strategy where a low base room rate is advertised to attract consumer interest, but mandatory fees such as resort fees, destination fees, or other surcharges are only disclosed later in the booking process, if at all. According to the complaint, by the time a consumer reaches the final checkout page, the total price is meaningfully higher than the rate initially presented.

The plaintiff claims that this pricing approach is not merely an inconvenience — it constitutes a deceptive business practice under consumer protection law. The filing states that consumers are misled into spending time, effort, and ultimately money based on an artificially low advertised price that does not reflect what they will actually pay.

Had consumers been shown the full price upfront, the lawsuit argues, they either would not have booked the room or would have sought alternatives at competing properties.

How to follow this case: Monitor the case docket for updates on class certification and any claims process that may be established.

Why Drip Pricing Cases Are on the Rise

The Empire Hotel lawsuit reflects a broader legal and regulatory trend targeting hidden fees across multiple industries. The Federal Trade Commission has increasingly scrutinized drip pricing in the hotel and short-term rental markets, and several state attorneys general have pursued similar enforcement actions in recent years.

For consumers, the harm alleged in these cases is straightforward: a room advertised at one price becomes more expensive by the time the booking is complete. Studies on consumer behavior suggest that initial price anchoring — seeing a lower number first — influences purchasing decisions even when the final total is disclosed before completing a transaction. Plaintiffs' attorneys in these cases typically argue that the deception occurs at the moment of advertisement, not at checkout.

Class actions like this one typically allege violations of state consumer protection statutes, which prohibit unfair or deceptive trade practices. If a class is certified, the case could potentially cover a large number of hotel guests who paid fees not clearly disclosed at the point of initial advertising.

Key Takeaways

• Drip pricing lawsuits are increasing across the hospitality industry as regulators and plaintiffs' attorneys focus on undisclosed or late-disclosed mandatory fees
• The harm alleged is the price premium — consumers claim they paid more than they would have had the true total price been advertised upfront
• No claims process is open yet — the Empire Hotel case is in its early stages; class certification and potential settlement discussions, if any, are likely months away
• Similar cases have resulted in settlements at other hotel brands, though outcomes vary significantly by case and are not guaranteed
• Documentation matters — consumers who believe they were affected by similar practices may want to retain any booking confirmations or screenshots showing advertised versus final prices

This article is based on publicly available reporting and court filings. InjuryClaims.com does not provide legal advice. The allegations described above have not been proven in court. Readers with questions about their specific situations should consult a licensed attorney.

Have you encountered unexpected fees when booking a hotel room? Share your experience in the comments below.