For the hotel industry, it is a $1.4 billion a year boom, for hotel guests, it is a frustrating litany of charges ranging anywhere from $2.50 to $30-per item charges that can easily drive the room rate up more than $100 a day.
Hidden charges have taken residence at many hotels around the country, and aren’t expected to check-out any time soon. Some examples of these charges include mini-bar restocking fees (in addition to the less-than-economical price for the drinks themselves), room service delivery fees (over and above the cost of the delivered items and the tip), parking fees (which depending on where you stay, are based on both the duration of your stay and the number of times you enter and exit the facility).
Want a complementary cup of coffee? Not so fast. Some hotels offer free use of the coffee-maker and cup but charge you for the package of grounds. More often, the “free coffee” is billed to you in the form of a “resort fee” which also covers the cost of the “free” gym, pool and/or golf course, whether or not you use these amenities or not.
Here’s some free advice to help you avoid the charges: when you book the room, ask the attendant if there are any charges in addition to the room rates. In some states, hotels are required to inform guests of any surcharges in advance of their stay.
You may also want to try some other tactics to avoid the hidden hotel charges:
- Join the hotel’s frequent visitor program. In addition to earning points for free or upgraded rooms, some hotels waive their “resort fees” for their club members. Even if it doesn’t automatically wave the fees, you may be able to use your preferred member status as leverage to persuade them to waive the fees.
- Upgrade and save. While it may seem counter-intuitive to spend more money to save some, many of these extra charges are truly free in many club-level rooms. You might get free-internet service, breakfast and an afternoon snack, even as you stay in a nicer room. When you add the extras these rooms provide and discount the resort fees that you’d be paying otherwise, the club room could end up being a better value than the basic room.
- Economize. Conversely, many mid-priced hotel chains offer free internet access and breakfasts, often without charging a hidden surcharge.
By following these tips, you could save yourself a lot of dough. That’s good news for the weary traveler.
By David Plowman