Free nights. Do I have to pay the resort fee ?
Dec 12, 09, 10:16 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: new jersey
Programs: continental, united premier, hyatt diamond, marriott silver, priority club platinum amb,hilton gold
Posts: 254
Free nights. Do I have to pay the resort fee ?
I recently stayed at the Montelucia resort on three free nights. But on each day I was billed the resort fee. I asked with the desk if this is waived for free nights and he said "no". But I have read here that maybe I shouldn't have. Does anyone know the answer to this question and where I might find the answer in some t&c's. I've looked but can't seem to find a definative answer. Thanks and happy holidays to all FT'ers.
Dec 12, 09, 10:56 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 11
InterContinental Hotels Group
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Free Night Redemption
RATE:
Free
TAX: Any tax required is included in the Free Night Redemption
SERVICE CHARGE: Free
RATE DESCRIPTION:
Free Night is awarded to Priority Club Rewards members who have registered, stayed two Qualifying Nights during the promotional period, and are otherwise eligible under the full Terms & Conditions at www.getafreenight.com. Free Nights may only be used from 3 July 2009 to 26 December 2009. Free Night is non-transferable. Upon completion of booking, no re-use, modification, refund, or redeposit of Free Night is allowed.
PLEASE NOTE:
You will not receive any points or miles on this Free Night.
RULES:
- CHECK-IN TIME: 04:00 PM
Close Window
Free Night Redemption
RATE:
Free
TAX: Any tax required is included in the Free Night Redemption
SERVICE CHARGE: Free
RATE DESCRIPTION:
Free Night is awarded to Priority Club Rewards members who have registered, stayed two Qualifying Nights during the promotional period, and are otherwise eligible under the full Terms & Conditions at www.getafreenight.com. Free Nights may only be used from 3 July 2009 to 26 December 2009. Free Night is non-transferable. Upon completion of booking, no re-use, modification, refund, or redeposit of Free Night is allowed.
PLEASE NOTE:
You will not receive any points or miles on this Free Night.
RULES:
- CHECK-IN TIME: 04:00 PM
Dec 12, 09, 11:06 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,370
There have been complaints about the resort fee practices at this particular property. See the property's master thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...er-thread.html
In my opinion, however, the PCR terms are such that you shouldn't have to pay the resort fee (which is a bogus fee and should be included in the room rate) on award reservations, as the resort fee is applied per room.
Related discussion:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...ward-stay.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...rd-nights.html
I myself have never been charged any resort fees or other fees/taxes/charges on award nights with IHG. However, I have not stayed at IC Montelucia, either, and it is that property that seems to be problematic.
In my opinion, however, the PCR terms are such that you shouldn't have to pay the resort fee (which is a bogus fee and should be included in the room rate) on award reservations, as the resort fee is applied per room.
Related discussion:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...ward-stay.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...rd-nights.html
I myself have never been charged any resort fees or other fees/taxes/charges on award nights with IHG. However, I have not stayed at IC Montelucia, either, and it is that property that seems to be problematic.
Dec 13, 09, 1:05 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 758
Originally Posted by stinkycop
I recently stayed at the Montelucia resort on three free nights. But on each day I was billed the resort fee. I asked with the desk if this is waived for free nights and he said "no". But I have read here that maybe I shouldn't have. Does anyone know the answer to this question and where I might find the answer in some t&c's. I've looked but can't seem to find a definative answer. Thanks and happy holidays to all FT'ers.
I would suggest you to refuse to pay. A free night is a free night is a free night, isn't it?
Dec 13, 09, 6:27 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 6,116
Originally Posted by davidw70
Yes, you do have to pay a resort fee; I think that's fairly standard practice.
Free Night
Rate Type: Free Night Redemption
Rate: Free Night Redemption
Total: Free Night for entire stay
Rate Description: Free Night is awarded to Priority Club Rewards members who have registered, stayed two Qualifying Nights during the promotional period, and are otherwise eligible under the full Terms & Conditions at www.getafreenight.com. Free Nights may only be used from 3 July 2009 to 26 December 2009. Free Night is non-transferable. Upon completion of booking, no re-use, modification, refund, or redeposit of Free Night is allowed.
Deposit Required: Any deposit required is included in the Free Night Redemption
Tax: : Any tax required is included in the Free Night Redemption
Service Charge: Any service charge required is included in the Free Night Redemption
Early Departure Fee: $100.00 (USD)
Daily Parking Fee: Complimentary Parking
Daily Valet Parking Fee: $26.00 (USD)
Pet Policy: Pet deposit is $100.00 and non-refundable.
Pet Deposit: $100.00 USD per stay
Room Type: MONTELUCIA SIGNATURE ROOM - 3 PERSON(S) MAX PER ROOM
Number of Rooms: 1
Number of Persons: 1 ADULT(S) 0 CHILD(REN)
Check-in Time: 04:00 PM
Check-out Time: 12:00 PM
Modify or Cancel Policy: Earned Free Night(s) are void upon completion of booking; modifications are not allowed. Cancellation of Booking results in forfeiture of the earned Free Night(s).
Only the reservation as entered into and confirmed by our system will be honored. Any written or printed confirmation that has been altered may be rejected by the hotel.
Rate: Free Night Redemption
Total: Free Night for entire stay
Rate Description: Free Night is awarded to Priority Club Rewards members who have registered, stayed two Qualifying Nights during the promotional period, and are otherwise eligible under the full Terms & Conditions at www.getafreenight.com. Free Nights may only be used from 3 July 2009 to 26 December 2009. Free Night is non-transferable. Upon completion of booking, no re-use, modification, refund, or redeposit of Free Night is allowed.
Deposit Required: Any deposit required is included in the Free Night Redemption
Tax: : Any tax required is included in the Free Night Redemption
Service Charge: Any service charge required is included in the Free Night Redemption
Early Departure Fee: $100.00 (USD)
Daily Parking Fee: Complimentary Parking
Daily Valet Parking Fee: $26.00 (USD)
Pet Policy: Pet deposit is $100.00 and non-refundable.
Pet Deposit: $100.00 USD per stay
Room Type: MONTELUCIA SIGNATURE ROOM - 3 PERSON(S) MAX PER ROOM
Number of Rooms: 1
Number of Persons: 1 ADULT(S) 0 CHILD(REN)
Check-in Time: 04:00 PM
Check-out Time: 12:00 PM
Modify or Cancel Policy: Earned Free Night(s) are void upon completion of booking; modifications are not allowed. Cancellation of Booking results in forfeiture of the earned Free Night(s).
Only the reservation as entered into and confirmed by our system will be honored. Any written or printed confirmation that has been altered may be rejected by the hotel.
Rate Type: Best Flexible Rate
Rate: $169.00 (USD) per room, per night CONVERT CURRENCY
View Estimated Total Price †
Rate Description: Our Best Flexible Rate lets you stay for as many nights as you want, on any date you please, with the best flexible rate available at all of our hotels around the world. Our Best Flexible Rate is the best available unrestricted, publicly available rate for that room type at the time of reservation. While lower rates may be available, they will require payment at time of booking, a minimum length of stay or will be non-refundable. Some restrictions apply based on individual hotel policies.
Tax: : 11.92% per night not included in rate effective 24 December, 2009 thru 25 December, 2009
Service Charge: 24.00 USD per night not included in rate effective 24 December, 2009 thru 25 December, 2009
Early Departure Fee: $100.00 (USD)
Daily Parking Fee: Complimentary Parking
Daily Valet Parking Fee: $26.00 (USD)
Pet Policy: Pet deposit is $100.00 and non-refundable.
Pet Deposit: $100.00 USD per stay
Room Type: MONTELUCIA SIGNATURE ROOM - 3 PERSON(S) MAX PER ROOM
Number of Rooms: 1
Number of Persons: 1 ADULT(S) 0 CHILD(REN)
Check-in Time: 04:00 PM
Check-out Time: 12:00 PM
Modify or Cancel Policy: Canceling your reservation before 6:00 PM (local hotel time) on Monday, 21 December, 2009 will result in no charge. Canceling your reservation after 6:00 PM (local hotel time) on 21 December, 2009, or failing to show, will result in a charge of 1 night per room to your credit card. Taxes may apply. Failing to call or show before check-out time after the first night of a reservation will result in cancellation of the remainder of your reservation.
Rate: $169.00 (USD) per room, per night CONVERT CURRENCY
View Estimated Total Price †
Rate Description: Our Best Flexible Rate lets you stay for as many nights as you want, on any date you please, with the best flexible rate available at all of our hotels around the world. Our Best Flexible Rate is the best available unrestricted, publicly available rate for that room type at the time of reservation. While lower rates may be available, they will require payment at time of booking, a minimum length of stay or will be non-refundable. Some restrictions apply based on individual hotel policies.
Tax: : 11.92% per night not included in rate effective 24 December, 2009 thru 25 December, 2009
Service Charge: 24.00 USD per night not included in rate effective 24 December, 2009 thru 25 December, 2009
Early Departure Fee: $100.00 (USD)
Daily Parking Fee: Complimentary Parking
Daily Valet Parking Fee: $26.00 (USD)
Pet Policy: Pet deposit is $100.00 and non-refundable.
Pet Deposit: $100.00 USD per stay
Room Type: MONTELUCIA SIGNATURE ROOM - 3 PERSON(S) MAX PER ROOM
Number of Rooms: 1
Number of Persons: 1 ADULT(S) 0 CHILD(REN)
Check-in Time: 04:00 PM
Check-out Time: 12:00 PM
Modify or Cancel Policy: Canceling your reservation before 6:00 PM (local hotel time) on Monday, 21 December, 2009 will result in no charge. Canceling your reservation after 6:00 PM (local hotel time) on 21 December, 2009, or failing to show, will result in a charge of 1 night per room to your credit card. Taxes may apply. Failing to call or show before check-out time after the first night of a reservation will result in cancellation of the remainder of your reservation.
Dec 13, 09, 6:30 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 6,116
Originally Posted by nissan motor
I would suggest you to refuse to pay. A free night is a free night is a free night, isn't it?
Dec 13, 09, 10:18 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Singapore
Programs: IC RA, KrisFlyer, Evergreen
Posts: 551
Personally I find it remarkably stupid that a hotel will go out of their way to anger customers and give themselves a bad name for something as trivial as the price of a cup of coffee.
Dec 13, 09, 10:37 pm
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 758
Originally Posted by gregorygrady
In fact a free night is not always a free night at many Resorts. Most other hotel chains still charge Resort Fees even on award nights.
Out of principle, I always refuse to pay such "resort fees". My argumentation: If the want to charge me for something they ought to include it in the price.
Dec 15, 09, 12:26 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 6,116
Originally Posted by nissan motor
I am well aware of that. I recall discussions at the Westin Las Vegas (12 $) at the Planet Hollywood (5 $) some many other US hotels and the worst of all the Apartments @ MGM Grand Las Vegas with a whooping 20+ $.
Out of principle, I always refuse to pay such "resort fees". My argumentation: If the want to charge me for something they ought to include it in the price.
Out of principle, I always refuse to pay such "resort fees". My argumentation: If the want to charge me for something they ought to include it in the price.
I highly doubt you can just refuse to pay the Resort Fee if you booked the room and agreed to the disclosed Resort Fee when booking the room. The only difference in this thread is that IC Montelucia did NOT disclose the Resort Fee, in fact they plainly state that the Resort Fee is included in the Free Night Redemption. Trying to charge Resort Fees after not disclosing those fees upon booking has led some hotels into hot water with class-action lawsuits (ie, SPG).
So while you have a case against Montelucia, you certainly don't have a case against any hotel that charges a Resort Fee, and you cannot just "refuse to pay it", even if it was a $300 per night Resort Fee as long as you agreed to pay it.
