Extra Fees

[imoldernu]

We don't travel much any more, so this article about extra fees charged by Hotels floored me. A different world!
If you travel, you probably already knew this. If not, maybe it will soften the blow, when you get charged an extra $30 to insure that you can get a king sized bed.
Too fascinating, not to share.

Mimicking the airlines, hotels get fee-happy

The Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, like many other hotels, bills items to guests' rooms if sensors in the minibar note they have been removed for more than 60 seconds — enough time, hotels say, to read the nutritional information and make a decision.

The Aria goes one step further. It also charges a $25 a day "personal use fee" if a guest puts their own soda or bottled water in the minibar. A guest in need of a mini refrigerator can have one delivered to their room — for an extra $35 a night.

Royce Breckon travels frequently for his job marketing outdoor sporting equipment but refuses to spend the night at any hotel charging for Internet. Charges typically range from $10 to $25 a night.

First the airlines,,, now the Hotels... What next? A concierge fee at Walmart checkout?

 

[imoldernu]

BTW... regarding the concierge fee at the Walmart checkout line. This could be a possibility. Our local Walmart is making a second run at the self service checkouts. (Tried it about 8 years ago, and took them out.) Guessing that this is happening throughout the country, so we'll have to live with it.

 

[Meadbh]

This was the most outrageous attempt to charge travelers extra fees. Ultimately it didn't fly (so to speak)

Ryanair is to charge customers to go to the toilet | Money | theguardian.com

 

[2B]

BTW... regarding the concierge fee at the Walmart checkout line. This could be a possibility. Our local Walmart is making a second run at the self service checkouts. (Tried it about 8 years ago, and took them out.) Guessing that this is happening throughout the country, so we'll have to live with it.

The problem with self service check outs is theft. Monitoring for the "mistakes" and having them "corrected" takes about as much manpower as running a regular checkout line. What I'm seeing is one or two very attentive employees "helping" with the self service checkouts.

I've also noticed that the more expensive the hotel the more likely it was that they'd have an internet fee. If you are at a high level in a hotel group frequent stayer plan, these fees get waived. If not, they want the business traveler's money. I've seen "slow" but free service available but faster speeds needed for streaming only available for a cost.

 

[ERD50]

When I choose a hotel for an overnight in the city, it's a pain to read/compare all this fine print. Different parking rates for car, different charges for internet, etc.

I think it gives the high end hotels a bad name when they nickel and dime you. It makes them feel cheap, when you should feel like you are having a little luxury. $25 for internet at a fancy $200 + ( and $60 for car, plus tip the valet) hotel, when I got free (included?) internet at the $40 Super-8 (out side the city)? Real classy!

-ERD50

 

[Chuckanut]

They can keep their room and their charges. I will keep my money.

 

[Walt34]

They can keep their room and their charges. I will keep my money.

+1.

Nickel and diming is one of my pet peeves and I develop a bad attitude when they try to do that to me.