Originally Posted by
lsquare
I don't remember having to ever pay a tax on an award stay before. I'm currently back in Kuala Lumpur and at the hotel, they're insisted that I pay the tourism tax. I thought that was only applicable on the cash rate. What is Marriott's position on this?
Yes, you sometimes do have to pay it. In Paris last month, I had to pay a daily tourist fee/tax on an award stay even though that specific amount wasn't in the confirmation email (the stay had been reserved in early 2023, and the tax/fee went into effect in January 2024). The front desk was firm about it, saying it applied to all stays.
However, in London last month, a tax did not apply to my award stay, because it was based on a percentage of the room rate, which was zero. And I expect the way the regulations were written made that non-charge possible.
It likely varies municipality to municipality whether it's a mandatory fee/tax, or one based purely on the cash rate paid.