seat38a

Because some cover parking in that fee, and that is "SOMETHING I WANT." Also, if the internet is covered in that fee, then I'm entitled to an alternative amenity, discounted fee or a fee waiver depending on the property as a Titanium.

seat38a

So the big bright neon message that says there's a resort or destination fee, just isn't clear enough for you huh? Pretty damn clear to me that there's a fee involved on the rate selection page.

myperks

At least there are consistent noise around the edge amongst some members. The tweet doesn’t even address presentation of resort fees which is what the DC AG is after, which we can all agree is an industry wide issue for Hilton, Expedia (and other OTAs), and wait for it, even Hyatt.

Old Hickory

I won't defend poor little Marriott but I sure wish SPG would have bought Marriott instead because I'm convinced it was the perfect customer service company.

moondog

No, telling me that there is a fee obviously is NOT enough. If it were, threads like this wouldn't exist. In case you still don't grasp this, we deserve to know the true cost of the product on offer without having to venture deep inside Marriott's own walled garden in order to figure it out.

TommyC80

GrayAnderson

Antarius

Is it or is it not less clear than including it in the total on the main page?

seat38a

Whats the difference between that and finding out what your sales tax is at the register at Nordstroms or whatever? When you look at the menu at a restaurant, does it have the tax and tip included price? Unless the laws are changed and or the courts say otherwise, its not illegal! Airlines did the exact same thing until the law was changed, but before that it wasn't illegal for them.

myperks

GrayAnderson

Two thoughts here:
(1) At least in Europe, tax and so forth is supposed to be included.
(2) Even in the US, one can generally take a reasonable stab at the tax bill if one knows the taxes in a given place. The issue is that while one can reasonably anticipate state/local taxes, an arbitrary fee imposed by the hotel is something that can't otherwise be dug out. And of course, with restaurants if there's a "mandatory gratuity" or "service charge" that is automatically assessed on top of the bill that gets listed (e.g. "Automatic 18% gratuity [for parties of X or more]" at the top or bottom of the menu.) so that shouldn't be a surprise.

(Of course, when a "mandatory gratuity" crashes into awful service, things can get "interesting".)

seat38a

Yeah, then you're going to have one hell of shock in the US, where the total price isn't apparent at pretty much anywhere. Sales tax, not included. Service charge, not included. Wan't to know what that sales tax breakdown? Good luck finding it.

Oh I grasped it. Just the difference is, when I'm told I'm being charged a fee, thats plenty enough for me to decide if I want to use a service or not. Lets be real here, the REAL issue with most on here is that you don't want to pay the fee regardless if the list of included items is easy to find or not. You think somehow if the fee's went away, room rates will magically drop. Personally, the only number that I really care about is the TOTAL price regardless of fee or other BS. Not saying that I love the fees, but regardless if a hotel increases their rate by 25 dollars a night or or charges me a 25 dollar a night fee, what I pay is the same.

seat38a

LOL true. I kind of figured that would happen. I guess it doesn't matter that I pay resort/destination fee's at IHG properties or other independent hotels that charge a daily fee for the free supermarket muffin and coffee in the morning.

seat38a

But no one is forcing you to stay at that specific hotel. If you don't like the fee, why can't you take your dollars somewhere else?

Flying for Fun

I couldn't agree more. The property in question also charges a flat rate of $30.00 for Bonvoy awards. I am less concerned about resort fees myself. I look at the bottom line between properties of interest in a particular area and weigh the prices with all the other amenities, location, room size, cost of tranport options to/from the property & parking fees if I am driving, before I make my selection. Properties with lounges and/or provide a breakfast in the restaurant as a welcome amenity are weighted appropriately. My goal is to minimize overall costs not just the true cost of the room rate.

For example, I have a week-long stay in Sydney next February during Mardi Gras on points. I could have chosen the Marriott at Circular Quay or the Sheraton Grand on the Park. I chose the later because in lieu of 1000 welcome amenity points, I will get the full breakfast buffet in the restaurant for 2 people for 7 nights and still have access to the lounge. The buffet is AUD $44 per day per person. That saves AUD $616 or USD $415.8. Not bad value for 1000 points.

If I chose the former option I would still get breakfast in the lounge (less variety and redundant) but if I wanted to eat in the restauant, the daily supplement is $18 per person per day.

While neither of these hotels have a resort fee, I wouldn't automatically discount one over the other if one did. Again, bottom line best value overall.

I approach all my stays in the same manner. I am not really concerned how they want to slice & dice the numbers. I haven't had issues deteriming what the total stay will cost with or without resort fees at booking confirmation and never shocked at check-in.

My preference would be to see an all inclusive price with all taxes, surcharges & resort fees in all search engines just like you do with Airline fares. I would also like to see it extended to Spa menus and in restaurants too. Nothing like a mandatory 18% gratuity & "we don't split checks, unless for a fee" for parties of six or more restaurants. If I am dining with 5 other people, the cost of my meal & already overpriced drinks just went up 18% whether the food or service was good or not.

For those that want to select a property based soley on price, just remember that the cheapest option isn't necessarily the best value. What ever the outcome, one still needs to do a little research for that.

James