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Resort fees, destination fees and associated issues (points, waivers, etc.)

Old Jun 22, 2019, 9:01 am
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Last edit by: dgreen12
A reminder that the Bonvoy program terms & conditions (section 1.3.c.v) provide:

Participating Properties that have mandatory resort charges, which include internet access, will provide a replacement benefit, to be determined at each Participating Property's discretion.
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Resort fees, destination fees and associated issues (points, waivers, etc.)

Old Jul 14, 2011, 10:58 am
  #76  
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The answer to your question is No, they don't earn points as stated in the T&Cs. SHOULD they earn points, yes. Resort fees are merely a way to lowball the room rates and let the property compete with lower cost properties. This practice should be outlawed and all "mandatory fees" included in the room rate. It's all the cost of doing business and if you can't control your costs don't hide it by breaking it out as separate line items.

Out-the-door pricing should be mandated everywhere. Airlines doing fuel surcharges just allows them to fool their customers (and themselves) into thinking that they have competitive fares. Same for hotels. How much longer before we start seeing elevator use fees?
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Old Jul 15, 2011, 12:37 am
  #77  
 
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The T&C of the MR program exclude certain fees/charges from earning MR points. As Roger notes, these exclusive fees are hidden in a lot of products/services so it's not just a Marriot issue. I myself never pay much heed to those hidden Marriott fees as the bulk of my tab & resort spending does earn MR points. Every trip to the resort Tiki Bar is an opportunity to earn MR points .

I see these occassional hotel fees in a mostly benign way as they are what they are and you at least actually receive a direct product/service. Not so for those car rental fees and stadium taxes that cities, counties, and municipalities add to a bill . . . . these fees/tariffs are plain and simple stealing, but that's how government entities work.

Barry
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Old Jul 15, 2011, 5:18 am
  #78  
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But shouldn't it be relevant that, unlike all those outrageous taxes, resort fees go directly to the hotel and are kept, just like the room charge? It makes no sense to me that if I stay at Marriott Hotel A, which charges $300/night and no resort fee, I earn points on the whole $300, but if I stay at Marriott Hotel B, which charges $270/night and a $30 resort fee, I earn points on just $270. Why is that? What's the logic behind it? Is it simply a way for Marriott to skimp a little bit on issuing points? Can Marriott really be that petty?

Bruce
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Old Jul 15, 2011, 5:42 am
  #79  
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Yes, that is PITA when we travel to the US. When we checked in to Circus Circus 3 years ago they charged us $1 resort fee per night. Their explanation back then was to cover local phone charges.

First thing I thought was 'hey it's not a resort - I can't even use the pool because it's winter'. Then the last trip to Vegas again we decided to stay away from Casino hotels since we don't gamble and we don't want to support this resort fee scam.

Back to the point, I think it might be smart for Marriott to introduce 'no hidden fee' concept, the price you see on your reservation is the price you pay. I have never experienced any resort fee because I don't stay at Marriott resorts, but these fees would definitely make me not stay at a resort.

In continental Europe you have at advertise the full amount including taxes and fees for anything. Singapore airlines is doing it on their website which is very nice.
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Old Jul 15, 2011, 5:57 am
  #80  
 
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I have twice gotten the Marriott Wailea resort fee removed from my bill (after talking with the GM).

Annoyingly resort fee do not earn Marriott Rewards points, but a suggestion, if you not mind playing a little "let's make a deal", I have successfully gotten two Marriott Resort properties to give me bonus Marriott Rewards points as I would not be earning points on their resort fees.

In my opinion, resort fee are not right, either raise your rate or ditch the fee, but do not spring a fee on the guest upon arrival.

Dan
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Old Jul 15, 2011, 6:22 am
  #81  
 
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And what I love is that at the property Bruce references the resort fee says the following:

Daily resort fee USD 30 plus tax includes self-parking, local/US/Canada phone calls and discounts at resort outlets
Onsite parking is $25, and if you paid for it separately and you would have received points for it.

Bruce, what kind of discounts did you get at the resort outlets?
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Old Jul 15, 2011, 6:25 am
  #82  
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The discounts were almost exactly the same as I get anyway as a Platinum member. In addition, I got two free drinks (per stay) and a 50-percent discount on one spa service (not utilized in my case). I did get free domestic phone calls and made use of that, but I could have made the same calls on my cellphone.

Bruce
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Old Jul 15, 2011, 6:33 am
  #83  
 
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So if the 50% Spa treatment and 2 free drinks were included as part of the resort fee, then for a 1 night stay this would be an awesome deal.
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Old Jul 15, 2011, 6:50 am
  #84  
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True!

Bruce
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Old Jul 15, 2011, 7:11 am
  #85  
 
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Bruce,

I am not a fan of the resort fees either. Having said that, I am going to be at this hotel in December.

How was your stay? How was the hotel? Any recommendations you can give regarding restaurants, shopping, etc.? ( I mention shopping as my wife and daughter will be with me)

Thanks in advance.
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Old Jul 15, 2011, 9:08 am
  #86  
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I thought the hotel was great. I didn't like paying for breakfast, but they give Marriott Rewards members a substantial discount (to $17/person). Lots more here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...-marriott.html

Bruce
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Old Jul 15, 2011, 1:01 pm
  #87  
 
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Originally Posted by bdschobel
I thought the hotel was great. I didn't like paying for breakfast, but they give Marriott Rewards members a substantial discount (to $17/person). Lots more here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...-marriott.html

Bruce


Thanks.
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Old Jul 15, 2011, 7:20 pm
  #88  
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Resort fees = YQ

both are just ways to list low rates/airfares then jack it up at check out

sure its disclosed but its not the most transparent thing you'll ever come across on either one of these
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Old Jul 15, 2011, 7:25 pm
  #89  
 
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we missed you

We were there the some of the same days as you were. Wished I had know and I would have bought you a drink at Ma La.....

I will have to say the property took very good care of us, with a room upgrade several levels above what we booked, very late check out and a arrival gift that was above an beyond for our anniversary.

Last edited by longing4piedmont; Jul 16, 2011 at 5:40 am
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Old Jul 15, 2011, 7:35 pm
  #90  
 
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Originally Posted by Fripp
Bruce,

I am not a fan of the resort fees either. Having said that, I am going to be at this hotel in December.

How was your stay? How was the hotel? Any recommendations you can give regarding restaurants, shopping, etc.? ( I mention shopping as my wife and daughter will be with me)

Thanks in advance.
Shops at Wailea are less than a 5 minute walk with several restaurants, two convenience stores and multiple higher end shops. Restaurants include a cheese burger joint (not bad) Ruth Chris (excellent as always) Tommy Bahamas, and a Italian place. Ice cream shop as well.

Restaurant in the hotel was good for the two nights we ate there. They have a Pre-Fix menu that is not bad. Breakfast is a larger than normal buffet offering and as Bruce said is $17 for reward members, normally $29. Worth the $17, but not the $29. Drinks in bar run in the $10-12 range. Had a $18 cheeseburger by the pool that was big enough that two could have eaten it, but then for $18 bucks it should have been.

My wife did manage to get a new ring out of the deal from the jewelry store at the hotel for her anniversary present. Nice shop but a tad on the expensive side.

We rented a car and spent most of the week just seeing the island. Most enjoyable day was spent in the volcano crater riding horses through Pony Express. Not cheap but worth every penny.

Last edited by longing4piedmont; Jul 16, 2011 at 5:40 am
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