Now, here's something I haven't run into for quite a long while -- a "hidden" in-room safe fee.

I had made a day trip to a nearby "small town" (40,000) -- a seven hour roundtrip drive -- and, of course, was held up in my meetings.

I had no laptop, so called home and asked wife to book me a room in some "cheap place" around $50-$60.

First mistake -- she picks the highest price Comfort Inn she can find at $80. Room was OK and seeing that I checked in at 9 p.m. and out at 5:30 a.m., no big deal.

Didn't notice the $1.50 "safe fee," tacked onto the bill until I got home and sorted through receipts. Been awhile since I've stayed at Comfort Inn, but never saw them charge for that before -- and I didn't even notice a safe in the room

Just a cautionary note...

Not going to bother to challenge it now