Parents Sue Travel Co Over Mandatory Lodging Fees in Youth Sports
Parents allege a youth sports travel company forced them to pay extra lodging fees to secure their kids’ playing spots.
2 min read
Parents are accusing a youth sports travel company of deceptive practices that forced them to pay additional lodging fees to ensure their children could compete in tournaments. A federal lawsuit, filed as a proposed class action, alleges that Team Travel Source, which operates as The Complete Plan Inc., misled families by tying tournament participation to designated hotel bookings, according to the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Deceptive Booking Practices
The lawsuit claims the company imposed hidden fees and misleading promises about discounted hotel rates, making it difficult for families to find cheaper alternatives. Attorney Karen Dahlberg O’Connell told the Daily Caller News Foundation that hundreds of parents contacted her legal team after the case was filed, reporting similar experiences across the country.
The lawsuit includes nine parents from seven states whose children participate in cheerleading and volleyball. They allege deceptive booking requirements, inadequately disclosed mandatory fees, and misleading promises of discounted hotel rates. Team Travel Source denied wrongdoing in a statement, asserting that they have always operated ethically and that their booking process disclosed fees before final reservations.
Parents’ Claims and Experiences
Kentucky mother Kate Russell alleged she booked three nights at an Atlanta hotel for $516.85, including $15 in booking service fees, after being told her daughter’s volleyball team could be disqualified if she did not reserve through the platform. A teammate’s family booked elsewhere and the child still competed, according to the complaint.
The parents also challenged mandatory charges labeled as booking, housing, cancellation convenience, and premier property fees. Some applied per night even when a parent made a single reservation. The company’s guarantee applies only to some events, excludes booking fees from rate comparisons, and requires matching room types, amenities, and cancellation terms.
Legal and Financial Impact
O’Connell described one parent who reported finding a cheaper room directly through a hotel but was denied an adjustment because the Team Travel Source reservation guaranteed access to a rollaway bed. The parent neither wanted nor needed that bed, O’Connell said.
The amended complaint also cites company marketing claiming more than $17 million in rebates paid to tournament organizers in 2025. Plaintiffs allege those payments were funded by inflated lodging costs and fees; that funding allegation remains disputed. The company’s reach extended to more than 1,600 annual events in over 400 cities across 44 states, according to website figures cited in the complaint.
Call for Change
“I just want parents to have the freedom of choice in terms of how they stay and where they stay,” O’Connell told the DCNF. The parents seek class certification, damages, and court orders addressing the challenged practices. Team Travel Source asked the court to dismiss the amended complaint and filed its reply supporting that request on Wednesday.
Source: Daily Caller
