Guide to Avoiding Hotel Fees

Some say that hotels have begun taking their cues from the airlines by charging for just about everything but access to the restroom. At hotels, more and more fees are being slipped in under the radar, undisclosed until you’re ready to check out. Sometimes you’re charged extra for a service you used (Surprise! You thought it was free!), and sometimes you’re charged a fee just because the service is there for you to use. 

So how do you avoid the shock of unexpected charges? The trick is to know ahead of time where hidden hotel fees might be lurking, because chances are once you’ve checked in, you’ll be too engrossed in your business agenda to think about them. With a little planning you can:

   1.     Avoid surprise fees if you arrive or leave early.
   2.     Avoid exorbitant phone and Internet charges.
   3.     Nix room service fees and mini-bar charges.
   4.     Exercise without paying to use the hotel fitness facilities.
   5.     Find another way to receive faxes and prepare documents.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Know check-in, check-out and no-show rules

Sometimes hotels can “get you” even if you think you’re doing everything right. Example: Ask for early access to your room and you might be charged an extra fee or even for an extra day. Check out a day ahead of schedule and you could be billed an “early departure fee.” Fail to cancel by the hotel’s deadline (sometimes days in advance of arrival) and you’ll likely pay for the first night.

I recommend: Go to hotel Web sites for check in, check out and no-show rules. If they are not clearly stated, call the hotel directly (not the reservation number). At QuickBook, Hotels.com, and Hotwire.com look for details on check-in and cancellation policies. At Fodor’s, find first-hand hotel guest reviews.

Look for free Internet access and use your cell phone to make calls

Accessing the Internet or making phone calls from a hotel room can be fraught with undisclosed charges. While most hotels make some attempt to list telephone charges, policies are inconsistent and often you won’t know until you check out what the calls cost. It can be a shocker.

I recommend: When making calls from your room, use your cell phone, a prepaid phone card or credit card instead of simply dialing out through the hotel’s phone system. If you’ll be tapping into the Internet frequently from your room and your laptop is Wi-Fi equipped, look for hotels that offer free wireless Internet access. If none is available, ask the hotel to waive the connection fee; often they will do so, especially if you are a return guest.

Pass on room service and don’t open that mini-bar

At the end of the day, you’re beat and you don’t feel like going out for dinner so you consider raiding the hotel room mini-bar or ordering something from room service instead. Unless you want to pay $7.00 for a one-ounce bag of peanuts, $9.00 for a miniscule packet of cheese and crackers PLUS a potential “restocking fee,” or $30 for a room service hamburger when all service charges, delivery charges, tips and taxes are added, don’t do it!

I recommend: Do your homework ahead of time: scout out restaurants within walking distance or look for nearby chain restaurants that will deliver your order to the hotel.

Exercise in your room instead of the fitness center

Pass on the for-a-fee fitness center and get fit in the privacy of your own room. Effective exercise equipment doesn’t have to be the size of a refrigerator with more chrome than a ’56 Chevy. It can be something simple that fits in your luggage.

I recommend: Check out the portable exercise equipment at the Healthy Travel Network.

Avoid hotel fax and business center charges

Receive a lengthy document at a hotel fax machine and you’ll generally pay a substantial per-page fee. If you know in advance that you’ll need fax services, document printing, or special materials for a meeting, your best bet is to look outside the hotel.

I recommend: Find out if the city you are in has a FedExKinko’s. There are over 1,100 FedEx Kinko’s locations in the U.S, many of them open 24 hours a day. At their Web site you’ll find tools to send your document ahead of time to a store close to your hotel; they’ll have it ready for you when you arrive or deliver it to you.

Become a loyal regular

Loyalty to a specific hotel property or hotel group can help smooth the way to fee waivers. Unless the hotel is adding a charge (such as a daily room tax) that will be passed directly and fully to a taxing authority, they have the option of NOT charging you. On your first stay, introduce yourself to the general manager and let it be known that you intend to be a frequent guest. Explain that you will not be using the fitness club/parking ramp/tennis courts/business center/mini-bar/turndown service/”free” morning newspaper or “free” bottled water on the night stand and that you will not pay fees for them. If they don’t agree, take your business elsewhere.

I recommend: Look into becoming a member of Best Western’s Best Business Worldwide, Intercontinental Hotels Group Priority Club Rewards, (Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Staybridge Suites among others) and the Marriott chain’s Marriott Rewards program.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• In the past 2-3 years, hotels have added new fees at an alarming rate. Assume that your hotel has done the same and ask that ALL fees be disclosed to you in advance.
• Parking fees can be very substantial too. If you’ll be driving, ask the hotel ahead of time about daily parking charges and alternatives like nearby self-park ramps or public lots.
• If you don’t absolutely need a car at your disposal, take the hotel shuttle from the airport and hail a taxi or use public transportation instead.
• Some hotels allow you to “opt out” of services they plan to charge you for (example: morning newspaper at your door, in-room safe). Details can be hidden in the fine print so read what you’re signing when you check in.
• Caution when “reviewing” mini-bar offerings! Some mini-bars are equipped with sensors that automatically assess a charge to your room when you open the door and simply move an item.
• If you must have something from the mini-bar, read the menu of charges first. It might be enough to make you change your mind.