How to Avoid Hotel Hidden Costs

Many hotels, in an effort to offer competitively low room rates, have started the practice of charging extra fees to their customers above and beyond the stated room rates. Sometimes these costs are hidden, and come as a surprise when you receive your bill. According to federal law, extra costs are not allowed to be hidden. They must be clearly posted in the hotel. Here is how to protect yourself from these hidden costs.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Ask about hidden costs before making your reservation. Before reserving your room, ask if there are any other fees you should be aware of and ask how much the total cost is per night including all extra fees.

2. Negotiate in advance. It is often easier to avoid paying an extra fee if you negotiate it at the time of booking the room, instead of trying to get it taken off the bill after the fact. For example, if the hotel charges an extra fee for use of the recreational facilities and you do not plan on using them, ask in advance if you can have that fee waived from your cost.

3. Make written notes of the rates you were quoted and any fees that the hotel agreed to waive. Write down the name of the person you spoke with. Take your notes with you when you check into the hotel so you can compare them to the bill that you receive and question any discrepancies.

4. Find out if something is free before you use it. For example, some hotels put out water or fruit in the room for their guests. You arrive at your room and think it is a gift from the hotel, but when you eat or drink it, the price gets added to your bill. Call the desk to ask them if there is a charge for these items and how much the cost is.

5. Beware of the mini bar. Some hotel mini bars now have sensors and scales in them. If you pick up an item to look at it, move something over to make room for your own products, or hold your hand inside of the mini bar for a certain amount of time, you might get a charge on your bill for a product that you never took. Be sure to read the rules posted on the mini bar before even opening the door.

6. Look over your bill before paying it and question any charges that you do not agree with. If your bill gets automatically put onto a credit card, look it over as soon as possible, and notify the hotel in writing of any charges you do not agree with. If you do not have luck discussing it with the hotel, contact your credit card company to dispute the charges.

Tips & Warnings

• Check to see if the hotel is charging you tips for their employees, before tipping them yourself. Some hotels add a 20 percent tip for bartenders, bell hops, even maid service. If you have already tipped these employees yourself, and then the tips appear on your bill, contact the hotel and tell them that you have handled your own tipping and want it removed from the bill.
• Avoid checking in or checking out early or late. If you need to check in or out ahead of schedule or later than planned, find out if there is a charge for doing so.
• Bring your own towel if you use the pool at the hotel. Most hotels charge anywhere from one to three dollars if you use one of their towels while you are at the pool. If you mistakenly take the towel back to your room with you, expect that charge to go up to five dollars or more.