jerry305

I've done multiple cash & points stays.
Terms & conditions allow the hotel to charge it; sometimes the hotel eats the charge for some reason.
Outside the US, the hotel may have to convert their rate to US$ equivalent. It's always worked out even, or slightly in my favour.
One hotel's front desk agent told me there is some complicated back-end workaround they have to do.

So...
Since the terms & conditions say the hotel should charge taxes extra, I recommend that you expect to pay the taxes, and then you can be pleasantly surprised if you don't have to.

MSPeconomist

I think the term "taxes" is too general here. VAT/TVA presumably already is included in all prices. In some countries, especially in Asia, there's a percentage service charge that's treated like a tax. USA properties are likely to have state and local percentage sales taxes plus frequently a per person or per room per night surcharge accessed on tourists. At the very least, I would expect C & P booking to have the percentage portion of taxes applied only to the cash portion, not to the theoretical full BAR rate or some calculation involving the value of the points redeemed.

Flews

Agreed. The answer to the OP's ? is 'yes', but YMMV.

Cheers,

id9795

I was in Hawaii recently and besides I had to pay tax above the $ portion of C&P + the resort fee as well.

In Europe last year, I believe they converted $60 to Euro, backed out taxes to charge me a lower rate so that the lower rate + takes will come to $60. I ended saving up about $0.50 or so in the conversion to Euro and back to $ as they were probably done on different days (converted to Euro probably before I checked in to adjust the rate and back to $ when my cc converted it after I checked out).

But as always, YMMV

GoGreen

When you pay with points only, are you supposed to pay tax on top? We stayed at Le Meridien in Marrakesh and they made us pay tax. It didn't seem right, but I wasn't sure, and it was relatively few dollars (and only 4000 points) so we didn't bother to argue. Should we have?

Starwood Lurker

It depends upon the nature of the tax. SPG picks up what would be the cost of the room taxes, but there are sometimes other taxes/surcharges not related to that which the hotel is obligated to collect.

If you contact Corporate Customer Service via email at [email protected], they can send a file to the property asking them to explain what the tax was for.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

qazw1

Does one earn any points from the cash portion when paying with cash and points? Also, I see an ad here for 25,000 bonus points with an Amex card application. Is that the best CC for SPG? Does one earn points via the CC for the cash portion if one use this CC?

schley

no
yes
yes

Forstbetrieb

In germany the tax is normally in the rate. In italy it is much more difficult. In rome they add 10% tax and in milan not.

qazw1

Thanks!

schley

I have been charged tax at the FRA Sheraton for cash and points each time I have been there, 5x's.

Forstbetrieb

Seems to be wrong...

aussielori

this the rate I have been quoted iN bali.
I found it strange that it was quoted
obviously not!
10,000 Starpoints and USD $ 150 for Stay

Starwood Hotel Category: 4

Average est. room total per night
Estimated total for your stay
1 room(s) for 2
night(s)
Room rate:
5,000 Starpoints
+ USD $75.00
10,000 Starpoints
+ USD $150.00
Room rate excludes the following:
Room Tax: USD $8.25 USD $16.50
11.00% Per Room / Per Night
Service Chrge: USD $7.50 USD $15.00
10.00% Per Room / Per Night
Estimated total: 5,000 Starpoints + USD $75.00 10,000 Starpoints + USD $150.00
+ USD $8.25 + USD $16.50
in excluded taxes in excluded taxes
+ USD $7.50 + USD $15.00
in excluded charges in excluded charges
**Currency data provided by XE, a third party currency conversion provider, using live mid-market rates. The displayed totals are estimates only for informational purposes and do not include any additional charges that may be incurred at the hotel. The actual total will be calculated by the hotel in its local currency, based on the local taxes and currency exchange rate (if applicable) in effect at the time charging occurs.

ken98230

In Rome I was charged the Rome City Tax at a Sheraton and not at the Westin. Both were points stays. I have also been charged tax on C&P stays most recently at a Sheraton in PR.

hotelfanatic

just checked out on a point stay in Sheraton Rome and was charged 6 euros per night.