Resort fees: a look back at the agent conversation

Unlike Australia, where both the ATO and the ACCC insist on a single purchase price displayed, many hotels in the United States charge guests compulsory daily' resort fees' over and above their nightly room rate, which can add hundreds of dollars to the cost of each stay – even at inner-city hotels which aren't really 'resorts'.

This means that not only are you going to miss out on some potential commission, but worst of all your client is going to have to cough up again when they check-out, which quite often doesn't go down so well.

As it's a question we hear quite frequently, we investigated if there are ways to reduce or even eliminate these supplementary fees on your bookings.

Firstly what is a Resort Fee..?

In recent years, many US hotels have implemented "resort fees." These daily additional charges are not included in the initial booking cost, so in other words, your clients have to pay resort fees upon check out.

More than 1,000 hotels in the US now add some form of resort fee — also called "facility fee," "amenity charge" or "urban fee" — that covers access and services that were once included in the room rate.

These resort fees have been a source of contention as they are, in many ways, hidden charges. Managed completely independently of the quoted room rate to make it appear lower than it actually is.

This can create confusion and drama for your customer if they only find out when they pay the bill at the end of their stay, and of course, means that they are non-commissionable to you.

Simply Avoid Hotels with Resort Fees

The easiest and most obvious way to avoid these fees is to book properties that don't charge the fee. We've noted a few great hotels below, at some of the US's most popular destinations that (currently) don't charge a Resort Fee.

Hawaii
Kahala Hotel in Honolulu
Halekulani Hotel
Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas

Las Vegas
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham
Marriott Las Vegas
Travelodge Center Strip

When You Have No Choice

Sometime's it's just not possible to avoid them though, as your client is dead-set on the Bellagio on the Strip with its US$44.22, or the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai astronomical US$250+, what can you do then?

Hotels justify resort fees by rattling off the benefits your clients get in return for paying them, but if several of those perks weren't adequately provided during their stay or was unrequired or unavailable to them (local phone calls or fax use), they shouldn't be afraid to ask the hotel to waive its fees.

Another option for your clients, but varies from chain to chain, is if they own that shiny hotel loyalty card which could be their ticket to a resort fee waiver.

Looking to the Future

There is a lot of conjecture that hotels will be forced to drop these fees in the future, either by government intervention or growing pressure from travel agencies, but until that happens make sure you know what you are booking for your client and always let your clients know if there is going to be a resort fee due. That way, they'll be much more likely to come back to book with you next time.

Terms of Use - - Privacy Policy

About Us - - Contact us - - FAQ

From the original story