From 10am check-out to QR menus: the rubbish rules that need trashing

The travel industry’s rules often create unnecessary friction, the article argues, pointing to everyday frustrations for renters, hotel guests and airline passengers. It highlights Airbnb’s policy change from last week: house rules must be “reasonable,” and hosts generally can’t require guests to do significant tasks or duties that a cleaner would normally handle, explicitly naming bed stripping, taking rubbish offsite and dish washing/putting away. The piece uses that as a springboard to criticize other practices. It contrasts late check-in and early check-out schedules in Australia, the “WiFi paradox” where roadside motels offer free access but some five-star hotels require loyalty sign-ups, and U.S. resort fees charged for amenities guests may not use. It also targets rental car fuel rules—being billed as if the company refilled the tank—as well as extra driver fees and the high cost of fixing airline ticket name mismatches, which can require fees or even buying a new fare.