Hotel resort fees can be an unexpected and unwelcome addition to your travel expenses. These fees, sometimes called “amenity fees” or “facility fees,” are often charged on top of the room rate and can cover a variety of services like Wi-Fi, gym access, pool use, yoga classes, and more. As a follow-up to last week’s post, “Hotel Resort Fees: The Debate Continues”, here are some strategies that may help you minimize or avoid resort fees:
1. Book Directly with the Hotel
Some hotels waive resort fees for members of their loyalty programs if you book directly through the hotel’s website. Signing up for the hotel’s loyalty program is often free and can save you the fee.
2. Look for Hotels That Don’t Charge Resort Fees
Not all hotels charge resort fees. When searching for accommodations, use filters or search terms like “no resort fee” to find properties that don’t add these charges.
3. Negotiate at Check-In
Politely ask if the resort fee can be waived, especially if you don’t plan to use the amenities covered by the fee. Some front desk agents may remove or reduce the fee if you make a strong case.
4. Use Points or Rewards for Your Stay
Some hotel loyalty programs allow you to cover the entire cost of your stay, including resort fees, with points. Check the terms of your rewards program to see if this is an option.
5. Book with Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)
Some OTAs, like Priceline or Hotwire, may bundle resort fees into the total price or offer discounts that offset the fees. Always check the fine print before booking to understand the total cost.
6. Stay at Independent or Boutique Hotels
Smaller, independent hotels or boutique properties are less likely to charge resort fees compared to large chain resorts.
7. Check the Final Price During Booking
Carefully review the total price, including taxes and fees, before completing your reservation. If resort fees are not disclosed upfront, you may have grounds to contest them later.
8. Use Credit Cards that Reimburse Travel Expenses
Some premium travel credit cards offer statement credits for travel expenses, including resort fees. Check your card’s benefits to see if you can get reimbursed.
9. Dispute the Charge After Your Stay
If you weren’t aware of the resort fee or feel it wasn’t justified, you can try disputing the charge with the hotel or your credit card company after your stay. This approach isn’t always successful but can work in some cases.
10. Stay at Hotels with All-Inclusive Rates
Some hotels, particularly in resort destinations, offer all-inclusive packages where the resort fee is either included in the room rate or waived altogether. By being proactive and doing some research before booking, you can often find ways to avoid or minimize hotel resort fees, ensuring that your trip stays within budget. It can also save you the headaches of paying for things you don’t need, want, use – even if you want to! Be prepared though. By not paying the fees, you may not be able to take advantage of some amenities, or you may pay more if you are permitted to pay a-la-carte for amenities you do use. Either way, it pays to do your homework, to know upfront what you may or may not expect, and look for savings where you can find them!
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