PremEx

I did a search on this but couldn't come up with any answers so:

Do you earn Reward points on the "Resort Fee?"

I just stayed at a Marriott Resort and while I received points for other incidentals, I did not for the "Resort Fee" that covers what otherwise would have been incidental charges such as local calls, fitness club access, in-room safe, Hi-Speed internet access, etc.

Seems to me that this fee is an incidental and is not a tax or local govenment fee of any kind, and that perhaps I should have received credit for it.

Expert ruling, personal experiences, or other advise?

lele14

I have earned points on resort fees from Puerto Rico and St. Thomas.

I don't know why this wouldn't count towards your points - it is money (not taxes) that you are paying to Marriott.

socrates

I would either email or call the Marriott Rewards desk and ask for the credit...I agree that you should have received them

flameryngster

I believe Starwood waive resort fees for their Platinum member.
What about Marriott?

imverge

No can do with Marriott

They also don't offer breakfast at Resorts either so heads up! (As per T&C)

inside_edition

Although most places don't base their resort fees on rewards level, remember that many time you do get extras included. For instance, in Puerto Rico, the resort fee includes high-speed internet, local calls, 800-number calls, $5 casino coupon, a bottle of water, use of the business center, and a bicycle rental. Many places also include things like parking. If you were to pay for these things separately, usually they would cost much more than the resort fee.

craz

Other times it will include things we are suppose to get anyway. Also its usually a daily fee and at times you have a 1 time use for something only.On top of that alot of what they say is included is of no use to me and I wouldnt have wanted anyway, so now I have to pay for something I have no intent on using or need to use.

Flyer Jon

Recently, Mrs Flyer Jon was at the Marriott Stellaris PR. She had her internet aircard - didn't need to connect via hotel's service; her cellphone - didn't need local calls -- a 10% resort fee, in this case, is a waste of money.

The other nonsensical aspect of this hotel's resort fees - if you stay in a suite at, say, $750 a night -- that's $70 a day for the same services that the Mrs was asked to pay $30 a day, based on a room rate of $300 per night.

Now for the interesting bit.......... I called the hotel to question the resort charge, especially as she hardly used any of the included services. The front desk agent told me the fee was optional!! And, she should have asked for it to be waived on check-out. "How would she know?" I asked. The answer was illuminating -- if you make a booking through central res - they will tell you, or, if you make it online , it will say. Neither scenario is true, nor is it mentioned on the resort fee inclusion card (well, it wouldn't be, would it?).

Lesson learned -- always ask for waiver.

cyberdad

I've never met a resort fee that I didn't consider to be downright offensive....but that's just me!

Flyer Jon

Just spoke to Marriott CS about the crazy fees at the San Juan Marriott & Stellaris Casino. He confirmed what the hotel told me -- you can elect not to pay them.

I know that respondents will talk about the individual cost of services such as internet, local/800 telephone calls; water; beach umbrellas, etc. adding up to more than the cost of the resort fee -- that's true at resorts that charge a more realistic fee. I have stayed at resorts that had a $15 per day fee.

In the case of the San Juan Marriott, it is not realistic. The hotel's fee is calculated at 10% of the daily room rate. In my case, it was $30 per day. When I made my res., a suite was available for $700 - that guest pays $70 a day for the same services that I could have used.

As we had our aircard and cellphone, we didn't need hotel internet and telephone. On checkout, I requested and was given a full refund of the resort fee. You have to request that the fee be waived, nobody will not tell you.

Are there other Marriott resorts (or other hotel companies) that have such outlandish fees?

Copilot23

The resort where we own a couple of weeks does the same. It is in Mexico and the explanation is it distributed among service staff that serve up the amenities of a resort (restaurant staff, recreation staff etc). Although our fees have never been more than 35 pesos per day. They also can be removed at checkout but you have to ask. We've never asked because the fee is nominal and the staff are great. Our resort has a separate high speed internet charge, but it is optional. (Its not a Marriott resort though.)

Global_Hi_Flyer

High resort fees are pretty common. Mrs GHF has booked some corporate conferences at resorts where they whack business travelers for the fees - and will NOT allow them to be waived. That way they offer a compelling room rate, and load a lot of the other costs into "fees".

Welcome to the airline/cellphone business model.

blawson

I made a booking at this hotel in March for August this year. I have the e-mail for the original booking (acutally got a good deal with Look No Further Guarantee) and no mention of resort fee. We have stayed the last 3 years and have never been charged one.

I now notice on my online booking they have slapped on a 25 USD per day resort fee!! Does anyone know when this was implemented? Do I have to pay it - since I have an e-mail from them which does not mention it!!

someday

i think you will. They are pretty strict on it.

SkiAdcock

Normally I'd agree, but if he's got the original confirmation & there's no note of it that may give him some wiggle room. All fees should be made clear up front.

Cheers.