What is this new junk fee? "Amenity Fee"
Feb 2, 2020, 11:50 pm
#136
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
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Not sure if anybody else has seen this… at least in Asia/Middle East
Recently booked for myself a 1 night stay at the Courtyard Dubai and post confirmation I am seeing this note in my details page:
“A Tourism Fee of AED 15 per bedroom per night is charged at check-out. Children 0-6 years of age stay free”
This is not a tax because tax is being added separately as part of “Summary of Charges”. This seems to be ON TOP of taxes.
Sure I am only staying 1 night (=AED 15 or less than USD 4) but it just bothers me.
Don’t think I have seen this in other Dubai hotels before… unless it’s a new trend.
Recently booked for myself a 1 night stay at the Courtyard Dubai and post confirmation I am seeing this note in my details page:
“A Tourism Fee of AED 15 per bedroom per night is charged at check-out. Children 0-6 years of age stay free”
This is not a tax because tax is being added separately as part of “Summary of Charges”. This seems to be ON TOP of taxes.
Sure I am only staying 1 night (=AED 15 or less than USD 4) but it just bothers me.
Don’t think I have seen this in other Dubai hotels before… unless it’s a new trend.
Feb 3, 2020, 12:55 am
#137
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
Feb 3, 2020, 9:19 am
#139
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,467
We were recently looking at an award stay at the StR Punta Mita. (ultimately chose Hawaii). If we got the base room-so there were no charges-no resort fee. If I did a room on points with paid upgrade, the resort fee kicked in. 10% of whatever the upgrade fee was. So, I investigated a bit more. Fee is 10% of room charge. Ouch.
Feb 3, 2020, 12:41 pm
#140
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
We were recently looking at an award stay at the StR Punta Mita. (ultimately chose Hawaii). If we got the base room-so there were no charges-no resort fee. If I did a room on points with paid upgrade, the resort fee kicked in. 10% of whatever the upgrade fee was. So, I investigated a bit more. Fee is 10% of room charge. Ouch.
Feb 3, 2020, 4:01 pm
#141
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,467
Feb 3, 2020, 7:19 pm
#142
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
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Feb 3, 2020, 9:16 pm
#143
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
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Posts: 9,467
Feb 4, 2020, 10:25 pm
#144
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 905
The Park Central in San Francisco charges this fee ( $40 per night). I saw what I thought was a very cheap rate, only to notice just before confirming that there was an extra $80 on a 2 night stay; then I noticed this charge ( there was no explanation on the payment page about what it covered...but when I went to the hotel page it mentions free wifi..i get it anyway.., some trivial discount on a tourist bus...and nothing else of consequence.
So what I though was a bargain turned out to be no cheaper than other comparable properties. I went elsewhere.
So what I though was a bargain turned out to be no cheaper than other comparable properties. I went elsewhere.
Feb 4, 2020, 11:49 pm
#145
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576
The Park Central in San Francisco charges this fee ( $40 per night). I saw what I thought was a very cheap rate, only to notice just before confirming that there was an extra $80 on a 2 night stay; then I noticed this charge ( there was no explanation on the payment page about what it covered...but when I went to the hotel page it mentions free wifi..i get it anyway.., some trivial discount on a tourist bus...and nothing else of consequence.
So what I though was a bargain turned out to be no cheaper than other comparable properties. I went elsewhere.
So what I though was a bargain turned out to be no cheaper than other comparable properties. I went elsewhere.
Feb 6, 2020, 11:24 pm
#146
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Feb 7, 2020, 12:01 am
#147
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,576
This is not made clear on their website generally. In fact, there were days during the year end where there were rates that specifically say "amenity fee waived" that are slightly higher, along with lower rates that did not say this. If I had known, I would have booked the lower rates since the fee is waived anyway for Platinums and above.
Feb 7, 2020, 1:52 am
#148
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 905
I agree. My finger was poised to click confirm but the total seemed wrong, so I looked more closely.
Three issues for me : 1. If they waive it then that needs to be clear . 2. The fee should not be hidden to the extent that t is, at least on the App. It needs to be clearly visible before customers are invited to confirm. 3. Customers should be told what it covers on the booking page ( not required to go to the hotel’s homepage to find out).
I don’t like this kind of jiggery-pokery.
Three issues for me : 1. If they waive it then that needs to be clear . 2. The fee should not be hidden to the extent that t is, at least on the App. It needs to be clearly visible before customers are invited to confirm. 3. Customers should be told what it covers on the booking page ( not required to go to the hotel’s homepage to find out).
I don’t like this kind of jiggery-pokery.
This is not made clear on their website generally. In fact, there were days during the year end where there were rates that specifically say "amenity fee waived" that are slightly higher, along with lower rates that did not say this. If I had known, I would have booked the lower rates since the fee is waived anyway for Platinums and above.
Feb 11, 2020, 8:26 am
#149
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,095
I agree. My finger was poised to click confirm but the total seemed wrong, so I looked more closely.
Three issues for me : 1. If they waive it then that needs to be clear . 2. The fee should not be hidden to the extent that t is, at least on the App. It needs to be clearly visible before customers are invited to confirm. 3. Customers should be told what it covers on the booking page ( not required to go to the hotel’s homepage to find out).
I don’t like this kind of jiggery-pokery.
Three issues for me : 1. If they waive it then that needs to be clear . 2. The fee should not be hidden to the extent that t is, at least on the App. It needs to be clearly visible before customers are invited to confirm. 3. Customers should be told what it covers on the booking page ( not required to go to the hotel’s homepage to find out).
I don’t like this kind of jiggery-pokery.
Feb 11, 2020, 11:22 am
#150
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Somewhere in Florida
Posts: 2,622
I just had a similar experience with the Renn in Orlando. $86/nt. Sounds great...but $30/nt resort fee + $30/nt for parking. $60 in bullsh** fees on an $86/nt rate. (41% markup right there!) If this isn't bait & switch, I don't know what is. I definitely booked elsewhere. Even if it worked out being the cheapest place in town, I still would take my business elsewhere -- I don't play games like that, nor will I reward properties which do.