Does Hilton Allow Credit Card Surcharges for US Hotels?
May 16, 21, 11:58 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 3,239
Does Hilton Allow Credit Card Surcharges for US Hotels?
Just left the Hilton Burlington VT after a 1-night points stay, and in addition to the expected parking fee when the folio was emailed to me there was a surprise $1.00 service fee, $1.50 destination marketing fee and three different credit card surcharges, all less than $1.00.
None of these are listed on the confirmation or the hotel's (mobile) website not were they mentioned at check in or check out (or I would have just paid cash... I really hate CC surcharges).
Planning on emailing the Diamond Desk when I get to the next stop on this road trip, but I thought brand standards prohibited CC surcharges for US properties ... Am I misremembering or had that changed?
None of these are listed on the confirmation or the hotel's (mobile) website not were they mentioned at check in or check out (or I would have just paid cash... I really hate CC surcharges).
Planning on emailing the Diamond Desk when I get to the next stop on this road trip, but I thought brand standards prohibited CC surcharges for US properties ... Am I misremembering or had that changed?
May 16, 21, 12:13 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 16,227
Hi,
I just did a dummy booking and the taxes and fees are
9.00 % per room, per night
2.00 % per room, per night
2.00 % per room, per night
$1.50 per room, per night
$1.00 per room, per night
( although the fees are not described)- I find the destination marketing fees becoming more common unfortunately and wish they would be described on the website.
No idea on the different CC surcharges though sorry.
Regards
TBS
I just did a dummy booking and the taxes and fees are
9.00 % per room, per night
2.00 % per room, per night
2.00 % per room, per night
$1.50 per room, per night
$1.00 per room, per night
( although the fees are not described)- I find the destination marketing fees becoming more common unfortunately and wish they would be described on the website.
No idea on the different CC surcharges though sorry.
Regards
TBS
May 16, 21, 2:20 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 3,239
Originally Posted by The _Banking_Scot
Hi,
I just did a dummy booking and the taxes and fees are
9.00 % per room, per night
2.00 % per room, per night
2.00 % per room, per night
$1.50 per room, per night
$1.00 per room, per night
( although the fees are not described)- I find the destination marketing fees becoming more common unfortunately and wish they would be described on the website.
No idea on the different CC surcharges though sorry.
Regards
TBS
I just did a dummy booking and the taxes and fees are
9.00 % per room, per night
2.00 % per room, per night
2.00 % per room, per night
$1.50 per room, per night
$1.00 per room, per night
( although the fees are not described)- I find the destination marketing fees becoming more common unfortunately and wish they would be described on the website.
No idea on the different CC surcharges though sorry.
Regards
TBS
May 16, 21, 2:26 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 16,227
Originally Posted by lincolnjkc
Was that for a revenue or points stay? For a points stay -- at least in the reservation confirmation -- none of that is disclosed -- the only additional fee is the nightly parking (which itself is a little irritating to be charged for that since the gates on the (city owned) garage were left up so aside from me mentioning I was parking a car no payment would have been collected...I'll check later booking a new res...
That was for a revenue stay.
Regards
TBS
May 17, 21, 11:12 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,805
I believe the correct way to say this is - each location is allowed to charge additional when it sees fit. However, it must be disclosed before.
Jul 11, 21, 11:07 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 14,907
Hilton in Vermont is charging a credit card surcharge
Points guy posted this. This is absurd. Hopefully other Hltion's don't start doing this. I thought it was against Am Ex's T&C anyway to charge a fee for using a credit card
https://thepointsguy.com/news/hotels...q0seJnS44u0ijA
https://thepointsguy.com/news/hotels...q0seJnS44u0ijA
Jul 11, 21, 11:27 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sheen, London
Programs: BA Platinum, Hilton *G, A3 Diamond, IHG Silver
Posts: 5,506
Do they accept cash? I have got out of paying credit card surcharges by offering to pay cash and when it turns out that the only way to pay is by card they are forced to remove the surcharge.
The last time I stayed in hotels in Australia and NZ they were also charging credit card surcharges, but they advised to pay in cash (which I am able to put on credit cards as a purchase by using Curve).
Though in the US I suppose the points earning is still worthwhile unless the surcharge is something really ridiculous.
The last time I stayed in hotels in Australia and NZ they were also charging credit card surcharges, but they advised to pay in cash (which I am able to put on credit cards as a purchase by using Curve).
Though in the US I suppose the points earning is still worthwhile unless the surcharge is something really ridiculous.
Jul 11, 21, 1:52 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,335
Originally Posted by golfingboy
I don’t see the point of businesses adding credit card surcharges - if the credit card cost is a big issue for the business then just increase prices across the board by 2 or 3%.
Jul 11, 21, 2:36 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: New York (Brooklyn)
Programs: Delta Gold, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 420
I am at this hotel right now. They won’t let you pay cash so you have to pay this “tax.” It’s patently illegal under federal law and likely under Vermont law. Also, only a government entity can charge a tax. It’s too bad as the hotel itself is pretty nice, but I will be calling Hilton corporate as soon as I check out and they will likely be sued and sanctioned
they won’t allow you to pay cash or any other way except a credit card, which is why this is illegal under federal law (likely Vermont law as well)
No, you can’t pay cash. I am at this hotel right now. It’s illegal and I am contacting Hilton as soon as I have my bill showing this “tax” (only a government entity can charge a tax)
Originally Posted by ChinaShrek
I would be okay with a cash discount at hotels. I will happily pay cash or Venmo if I saved 5-10% off a bill.
Originally Posted by :D!
Do they accept cash? I have got out of paying credit card surcharges by offering to pay cash and when it turns out that the only way to pay is by card they are forced to remove the surcharge.
The last time I stayed in hotels in Australia and NZ they were also charging credit card surcharges, but they advised to pay in cash (which I am able to put on credit cards as a purchase by using Curve).
Though in the US I suppose the points earning is still worthwhile unless the surcharge is something really ridiculous.
The last time I stayed in hotels in Australia and NZ they were also charging credit card surcharges, but they advised to pay in cash (which I am able to put on credit cards as a purchase by using Curve).
Though in the US I suppose the points earning is still worthwhile unless the surcharge is something really ridiculous.
No, you can’t pay cash. I am at this hotel right now. It’s illegal and I am contacting Hilton as soon as I have my bill showing this “tax” (only a government entity can charge a tax)
Last edited by Canarsie; Jul 11, 21 at 9:13 pm Reason: Consolidation.
Jul 11, 21, 5:37 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: TK Elite Plus, IC Plat Ambassador, HH Diamond
Posts: 781
Originally Posted by Pretzelsandpeanuts
No, you can’t pay cash. I am at this hotel right now. It’s illegal and I am contacting Hilton as soon as I have my bill showing this “tax” (only a government entity can charge a tax)
Jul 11, 21, 5:45 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 14,907
Originally Posted by Pretzelsandpeanuts
I am at this hotel right now. They won’t let you pay cash so you have to pay this “tax.” It’s patently illegal under federal law and likely under Vermont law. Also, only a government entity can charge a tax. It’s too bad as the hotel itself is pretty nice, but I will be calling Hilton corporate as soon as I check out and they will likely be sued and sanctioned
Originally Posted by LondonElite
Lots of places charge a cc surcharge. Especially small businesses.
And I think it has to be disclosed which it sounds like it wasnt in this case.
If I were a hotel I wouldn't want the liability of having cash laying around anyway.
Originally Posted by tobegold
you need to contact the state attorneys office, contacting Hilton will not do much.
Last edited by Canarsie; Jul 11, 21 at 9:14 pm Reason: Consolidation.
