MSPeconomist

Flying for Fun

I guess it is how they define "enhanced," but yes, on further thought, I agree with you. I typically don't stay at properties that impose a resort fee unless the fee combined with the room rate is still a better value. I was unaware of the "replacement" verbage. I will give that a go next time.

I just completed 2, 2 night stays at the Westin Puerto Vallarta which imposes a daily $15 resort fee. I was on a $102 nightly rate with a daily $100 resort credit so I wasn't too concerned about the resort fee. I was even upgraded to a Preium Ocean View, Club level with a Whirlpool on the deck.

James

lougord99

KRSW

I generally avoid hotels which charge destination/resort fees. I've not stayed in any this year, BUT, I have stayed in a few which normally charge for parking and have gotten that waived, sometimes proactively by the hotel because they recognize I stay there somewhat often.

C17PSGR

Curious ... while all things being equal I'll avoid hotels which charge destination/resort fees (which I consider to be deceptive even if disclosed), what do you give as an explanation for getting it waived?

eyeball1

I think this was already asked and OP still has not answered.

mikebor

Sorry for the long delay in replying. This is to all that asked what I tell the hotel to get it waived. Basically once I find out if the hotel has a resort fee I call and ask for the front office manager. I tell him or her I am an Ambassador and Lifetime Titanium and I don't want to pay the fee. I explain that other hotels have waived it and I won't be using any of the "stuff" included like wine tastings or whatever. Except for the Cosmo I never had an issue getting it waived. In fact at the NY Times Square Marquis 1 of the assistant managers like 18 months ago offered to waive it for me when I called to go over my room requests. He just brought it up and told me I don't want to pay that fee so he'll waive it. Ever since then I try to be proactive and ask for it to be waived. Some hotels are stingier than others but most if you escalate it high enough and I would assume are a high level Marriott member, will waive it.

Like at the Marquis San Diego they didn't want to waive it but I told them they waive it for me at the Times Square Marquis so then they said okay lol. If I stay a week at $34 a night for a worthless destination fee x 7 that's almost $250 I am saving thank heavens.

Thysk

How did you pull this off/where did you book it? Amex FHR?

Flying for Fun

I booked it on Marriott's website. The promotion, IIRC, is available for Mexican & Central American properties and is still ongoing. The nightly credit requires a 2-day minimum stay. Bookings May 1st to June 3rd received a daily $100 credit while bookings June 4th through July 30th receive a daily $75 credit. You can find it under the packages tab in rates.

James

DFWsakp

That is awesome! I just checked. I wish I knew about this before. I don't think this deal can be beaten
And Westin PVR is a very nice property (I stayed here 7 months ago). They have one of the nicest lounge for Plats and Tits.

Horace

The term "scam fee" sums up mandatory resort fees and mandatory destination fees very well.

I have nothing against optional resort fees. For example, a lakefront resort might offer an option for unlimited rentals of kayaks, bicycles, and other recreational equipment. Some guests will opt for it. Other won't. That's a true resort fee.

Scam fees are another thing entirely. They are not qualifying charges earning Marriott Bonvoy Points. They make the process of choosing a hotel more difficult because they are not included in search results on Marriott.com. Points stays that should be free are no longer free. The list of "benefits" provided by a scam fee almost never adds up to the amount of the fee (and often includes things that should be standard at a resort or full-service hotel anyway). And if you overlook the scam fee during the reservation process, you're in for a rude surprise when you get your folio after your stay.

When a hotel imposes such a scam fee, it's telling me it has no respect for guests. The hotel is telling me to book elsewhere. A hotel with the scam fee doesn't want my business.

This topic is about getting such fees waived, based on Marriott Bonvoy status. I really don't want to plead with the desk agent and then escalate up the management chain until I find someone who agrees to waive the fee just to shut me up. That seems like an unpleasant check-in and a way to initiate a poor relationship with the staff for the rest of the stay.

I wish Marriott would take a leadership role in the hospitality industry by eliminating scam fees and encouraging the rest of the industry to follow.

UA-NYC

Antarius

No kidding. Stupid policies trumping common sense are all to common, especially in companies with loads of red tape. I got in trouble for using hotwire instead of concur and saving several grand; glad I'm not there anymore.

Regarding resort fees - if they are mandatory, they should be shown in the upfront price. I absolutely hate clicking in to a hotel rate and then seeing it jump at the end. Then I need to sum up the total, go back to the search page and compare. They are deceptive.

lougord99

I am in total agreement with you. Except the resort fees exist and aren't going away. I am not willing to eliminate a hotel because of the resort fee as a 'cut off your nose' move.

Antarius

Yes and no. I wouldn't purposely pay a lot more out of spite and avoid the hotel, but if the prices are even or close, I'll choose the non-resort fee every time.