Fee to empty mini bar fridge
Jun 4, 2019, 3:30 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy (Gold)
Posts: 280
Fee to empty mini bar fridge
Staying at a Marriott (Bonvoy) autograph in France and was just quoted 50 EUR to empty the mini bar fridge in my room. We wanted to store some water bottles. Is that typical in France?
Jun 4, 2019, 6:13 pm
#5
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
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Jun 4, 2019, 6:17 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
When a business charges a fee to do something out-of-the-ordinary, they have three basic options.
- Charge a fee that just covers the cost of performing the task.
- Charge a fee that produces a profit.
- Charge an outrageous fee to discourage the customer from following through on the request.
Last edited by writerguyfl; Jun 4, 2019 at 6:18 pm Reason: Trying to fix spacing.
Jun 4, 2019, 6:59 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dulles, VA
Programs: UA Life Gold, Marriott Life Titanium
Posts: 2,757
Ask for a bucket of ice to be brought up every few hours to keep your bottles cold, and I'll bet they will relent on the $50.00 charge.
I've had similar issues in Amsterdam, where they refuse to clear out the fridge and the pressure sensors go off with the slightest movement. I filled the recycling bin in the room with ice and it was better that way.
I've had similar issues in Amsterdam, where they refuse to clear out the fridge and the pressure sensors go off with the slightest movement. I filled the recycling bin in the room with ice and it was better that way.
Jun 4, 2019, 7:03 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 1,079
Ask for a bucket of ice to be brought up every few hours to keep your bottles cold, and I'll bet they will relent on the $50.00 charge.
I've had similar issues in Amsterdam, where they refuse to clear out the fridge and the pressure sensors go off with the slightest movement. I filled the recycling bin in the room with ice and it was better that way.
I've had similar issues in Amsterdam, where they refuse to clear out the fridge and the pressure sensors go off with the slightest movement. I filled the recycling bin in the room with ice and it was better that way.
Jun 4, 2019, 7:39 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: USA
Programs: AC SE100K, F9 100k, NK Gold, UA *S, Hyatt Glob, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 5,195
just carry or wheel the mini bar down to the front desk and tell them you don't need it emptied-you just do not want it in your room because you are a recovering alcoholic, on a diet, with an eating disorder.
//reminds me of when I was a little unhappy with a hotel in room safe. It was not anchored to the wall or furniture at all. The look on guests faces when I carried it in the elevator (locked) under my arm, and set it on the front desk asking if it was secure was priceless.
//reminds me of when I was a little unhappy with a hotel in room safe. It was not anchored to the wall or furniture at all. The look on guests faces when I carried it in the elevator (locked) under my arm, and set it on the front desk asking if it was secure was priceless.
Jun 4, 2019, 7:50 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: COS
Programs: UA Gold/1.5MM (several years running now!), Marriott LTTE, Hertz Prez
Posts: 1,899
When a business charges a fee to do something out-of-the-ordinary, they have three basic options.
- Charge a fee that just covers the cost of performing the task.
- Charge a fee that produces a profit.
- Charge an outrageous fee to discourage the customer from following through on the request.
Jun 4, 2019, 9:52 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP...couple hotels and cars too
Posts: 4,548
Does their website list a .'mini refrigerator' as a room feature? Uness they dsclosed the fee in advance, or at check in, Id refuse to pay it. Tell them to either bring up a fridge for your use as promised or waive the fee. (A mini-refrigerator is listed as an 'amenity'... they ADDITIONALLY list a mini bar "for a fee". You want the free fridge....)
They decline, empty it and contest the charge.
I wont let crap like this ruin my stay- allow them to decline the accommodation, then take action to correct their error. Deal with the $$ later.
They decline, empty it and contest the charge.
I wont let crap like this ruin my stay- allow them to decline the accommodation, then take action to correct their error. Deal with the $$ later.
Jun 4, 2019, 10:45 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 905
The charge is outrageous; any property with half an ounce of customer focus wouldn’t have charged it in the first instance, and if a charge had been applied in error it would be removed. Many people do require access to a refrigerator for keeping medication and/or special diet items. It is not a whim or fancy.
Those auto charge fridges are a freakin’ nightmare.
Those auto charge fridges are a freakin’ nightmare.
Jun 5, 2019, 7:15 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Berlin
Posts: 1,765
Within a few minutes of entering a hotel in Dubai, I remember saying to my wife not to touch the bottles in the Minibar as they would be automatically charged as soon as they were moved.....only to find her going through them as I turned around....