How to Avoid Hidden Hotel Charges

How did your $99/night hotel room turn out to cost close to $200 per night? Taxes are a part of it, and there's not much you can do about that. But hotels like the Sheraton, Ritz Carlton, Hilton and the Holiday Inn, and pretty much most others in the business make more than $1.75 billion a year in extra profit from tacking on unexpected charges to your hotel bill. Here's how to keep costs down.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Ask in advance. Either before you arrive at the hotel, or at check-in, make sure to ask "What other charges should I be aware of, besides the per-night room fee?" or "What will the total cost of the room be per night, with taxes and other charges?" You might be surprised to learn that your hotel adds on things like "facility fees" (for the gym, etc), "business fees" (for fax or copy services), "energy surcharge" (for, er, energy), "restocking fees" (for the mini bar), "newspaper delivery" (and you thought it was free, didn't you?), and so on. Ask to have the fees removed, especially any that are for services you won't be using. You're in the best position to negotiate their removal if you haven't finalized your reservation yet.

2. Bring your cell phone. Hotel room telephone fees are notoriously expensive. Did you know that some hotels charge as much as $7 just for picking up the phone and dialing, even if your call never goes through!

3. Find out in advance charges for particular services you might use, like sending or receiving a fax, or delivery of a Fed-Ex package. Once you know the costs, you can make an informed decision about using the service.

4. Don't check out in a rush. Go over your bill (many hotels present the bill the night before), and make sure you understand and approve of any and all charges. If the desk clerk can't explain a particular charge, insist on its removal.

Tips & Warnings

• Online travel sites are just beginning to provide additional information on fees, but for the most part, you need to contact the hotel directly to get the full scoop.

Resources

• Need more information on travel destinations? Try Uclue

[bjtour99]

on 5/24/2008 fff

[WriterGig]

on 5/23/2008 Step 4 is a must -- we got $7 back last weekend after noticing an error on the bill. Not much money, but I wouldn't leave $7 I dropped on the floor. We called their attention to the error and got our money back.

[amylaine]

on 5/23/2008 Great ideas.