Parking fees
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2020
Programs: United 1k, American Express Platinum
Posts: 80
Parking fees
I'm heading out for a 6 day trip next week and am having some issues booking my hotel. Most of the bonvoy properties in the area are around the same price point per night ~$120 after taxes (usually around $175/night pre covid). The issue I'm having is with the parking. The hotel in the area that I want to stay at (Westin) is charging $40/night parking which is insane. The Marriott, Courtyard, and Shearaton are charging around $10-$20 per day for parking. As a titanium, would it be worth it to call the Westin to see if there's any wiggle room on the parking? Has anyone had any success calling about this? Crazy that these hotels are mostly empty during Covid, yet they still charge outrageous fees for parking. They will be losing 6 nights over a parking fee...
#3
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Redondo Beach, CA USA
Programs: UA 1KMM, Bonvoy LTE+A, HH D, Nat'l EE, Hertz Plat, Avis PC
Posts: 3,712
It never hurts to call and ask. But you need to know in advance whether or not this is an actual deal-breaker or not. Looking at the all-in cost of each hotel, is the Westin worth a premium of $20-$30? Thinking of it that way should make the decision easier in the event they hold firm on the parking rate.
#4
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OP should also consider whether there's other cheaper public parking near the Westin. A hotel guest isn't required to use the hotel's parking.
#5
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
In some cases, hotels own their parking facility but need to charge high parking rates because they need the revenue to cover the cost. For example, many of the hotels down the road from me on Fort Lauderdale Beach needed to build mutli-story parking ramps. Since these large structures can reduce the number of rooms in the hotel, the high parking charges are necessary to make the project economically viable.
That said, you could be describing a greedy hotel that charges $40 to park in a common surface lot that costs next to nothing to maintain.
Realistically, that's probably the type of answer you'll hear. But, there's nothing wrong with calling and asking.
#6
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,912
I'm heading out for a 6 day trip next week and am having some issues booking my hotel. Most of the bonvoy properties in the area are around the same price point per night ~$120 after taxes (usually around $175/night pre covid). The issue I'm having is with the parking. The hotel in the area that I want to stay at (Westin) is charging $40/night parking which is insane. The Marriott, Courtyard, and Shearaton are charging around $10-$20 per day for parking. As a titanium, would it be worth it to call the Westin to see if there's any wiggle room on the parking? Has anyone had any success calling about this? Crazy that these hotels are mostly empty during Covid, yet they still charge outrageous fees for parking. They will be losing 6 nights over a parking fee...
calling to ask is probably the easiest way to go because no one here can answer that question unless you identify the properties in question.
use SpotHero or some other app to find cheap parking if you are set on the Westin.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2020
Programs: United 1k, American Express Platinum
Posts: 80
so you are okay with them charging parking fee pre-covid when the rates were higher? I don’t get that logic.
calling to ask is probably the easiest way to go because no one here can answer that question unless you identify the properties in question.
use SpotHero or some other app to find cheap parking if you are set on the Westin.
calling to ask is probably the easiest way to go because no one here can answer that question unless you identify the properties in question.
use SpotHero or some other app to find cheap parking if you are set on the Westin.
#8
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,912
as someone upthread mentioned, the parking may be operated by a third party or whatnot. Vote with your wallet and stay at the $10-20 parking places.
#11
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Boston
Programs: Marriott Titanium
Posts: 33
I just had a similar issue with a RI in Orlando for a long term stay. They wanted $8 per night for parking (roughly $250/month). GM wouldn't budge, I'm not sure if they own the lot. I think they just want to maximize their revenue because they don't have enough parking at that property when occupancy starts rising. His justification was that they have to hire two security guards to patrol the lot (not sure if it's true or not. Even if it was, why 2? Also, I'm Titanium as well, so I told him to go pound sand and I'll go to a different property for a 4 month extended stay.
#13
Join Date: Aug 2010
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I just had a similar issue with a RI in Orlando for a long term stay. They wanted $8 per night for parking (roughly $250/month). GM wouldn't budge, I'm not sure if they own the lot. I think they just want to maximize their revenue because they don't have enough parking at that property when occupancy starts rising. His justification was that they have to hire two security guards to patrol the lot (not sure if it's true or not. Even if it was, why 2? Also, I'm Titanium as well, so I told him to go pound sand and I'll go to a different property for a 4 month extended stay.
This is the best way to respond if you indeed have a choice. I have done this several times with properties where I did not agree with policies. Not sure it makes a difference but when enough people do it they have to start looking closer
#15
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: Delta DM, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, National EE, AS MVP Gold 75K, AC 75K
Posts: 1,000
I stayed at a Residence Inn for two weeks and they dropped by parking fees from $12/day to $2/day when I called them regarding a discount.