What is this new junk fee? "Amenity Fee"
Dec 5, 2019, 9:50 am
#77
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Exactly my point - why don't they have legislation against pricing in general? I'm not US resident so that I don't have to see these "fees" jerk up my car rental rates as all these "fees" (are already included in my final rate). Any business should be allowed to sell extra services as long as they are legal and optional, but a force resort/destination/you_name_it fee is just wrong.
Dec 5, 2019, 12:58 pm
#78
Join Date: Nov 2004
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A shameful and growing practice by the hotel companies. Penny pinching regardless of how you book and your elite status. Ive seen these at Marriott properties and IHG properties in major cities and resorts. No points earned either for these grabs at Marriott or IHG. Its very frustrating to have been loyal and have gold/platinum/spire elite plus status that was explained to give inclusive benefits like internet and phone calls now only have to pay this blatant add on profit dash for the 'amenities' that you should get included with your stay when you book direct and have status.
Dec 5, 2019, 1:01 pm
#79
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Often they dont even hand over these 'amenities' like bike share vouchers in NYC or the 'sparkling cheap white wine/cava' at check in unless you call them out on it. I bet most people dont and its just more of a rip off.
Dec 11, 2019, 10:13 pm
#80
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Dec 11, 2019, 10:14 pm
#81
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My employer won't reimburse resort fees. They seem to be viewed as a luxury that's inappropriate for business travel, yet the reality is that sometimes you must stay in a property that charges resort fees. An obvious example would be a convention in Vegas. I'm not sure what happens if the garbage fee is called a destination or facilities fee.
Fortunately, I've never worked for an employer that stupid. They looked at the bottom line.
Dec 13, 2019, 2:31 am
#82
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Dec 13, 2019, 7:54 pm
#83
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Dec 13, 2019, 11:41 pm
#84
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It's not just these "amenity fees". Many hotels are now charging for parking in their not-even-close to downtown locations. Sometimes charging $15-$20 per night. When only a few years ago, their parking was free to guests.
Dec 17, 2019, 9:18 am
#85
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They're scams and that's not a word I use lightly. I've taken to dinging any hotel I stay at a star on TA and writing specifically that I like the hotel but am offended by the fee. So far this year I've been lucky enough to be hit by:
- An urban destination fee at a Hyatt in Downtown Oakland
- A $70 a day resort fee at a Kimpton in Grand Cayman. It also thunderstormed my whole first day there rendering any "resort" values moot
But hey, I am making many free local calls to offset it
- An urban destination fee at a Hyatt in Downtown Oakland
- A $70 a day resort fee at a Kimpton in Grand Cayman. It also thunderstormed my whole first day there rendering any "resort" values moot
But hey, I am making many free local calls to offset it
Dec 17, 2019, 10:51 am
#86
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Not sure why there has to a new thread every time somebody encounters these. The fact remains that if they are disclosed -- whatever they are called -- they are not prohibited in the US. In addition, they are part of corporate marketing strategies and thus "calling corporate" is not worth a toll-free call.
Bottom line is that the use of these fees is spreading and once it hits an area, it tends to be adopted by other properties in the locale, so harder and harder to find.
Rather than having a fit, just do the arithmetic. If you book a $300 room with a $40 fee, that is a $340 room. If that is too much, move on.
Bottom line is that the use of these fees is spreading and once it hits an area, it tends to be adopted by other properties in the locale, so harder and harder to find.
Rather than having a fit, just do the arithmetic. If you book a $300 room with a $40 fee, that is a $340 room. If that is too much, move on.
Dec 17, 2019, 11:05 am
#87
Join Date: Jul 2013
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The properties are entitled to charge a "Resort fee" or an "Amenity Fee" or whatever they like.
I am likewise entitled to give them a 1-star review on both Tripadvisor and Yelp, which is what I do every single time. If all of you did the same, the properties might start to get the message.
I am likewise entitled to give them a 1-star review on both Tripadvisor and Yelp, which is what I do every single time. If all of you did the same, the properties might start to get the message.
Dec 17, 2019, 11:06 am
#88
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It's bad policy that these are legal, and it's bad business when businesses proliferate them.
Dec 17, 2019, 4:19 pm
#89
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Dec 17, 2019, 10:17 pm
#90
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