Minibar charges for items I didn't buy
May 20, 2014, 7:43 am
#16
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 331
It seems you did buy the items - you just didn't take them... 
May 20, 2014, 10:35 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
Seriously, though, this past weekend, my daughter lifted a pack of cookies out of the "minibar," which was actually a "mini-tray," for about two seconds before my wife and I got to her (Parents develop super-fast reflexes.). We got charged for it but they removed it without question.
Mike
May 20, 2014, 4:33 pm
#18
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Silver, UA Silver, AMX Plat, Carlson Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 188
Take a picture of the minibar contents with your phone when you arrive and when you check out. I emptied the minibar fridge when I stayed in London and placed my food in fridge. Replaced all when I checked out. Minibar charges were removed without issue when I showed the clerk the picture on my phone.
May 21, 2014, 5:07 am
#19
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,399
Take a picture of the minibar contents with your phone when you arrive and when you check out. I emptied the minibar fridge when I stayed in London and placed my food in fridge. Replaced all when I checked out. Minibar charges were removed without issue when I showed the clerk the picture on my phone.
May 21, 2014, 8:26 am
#20
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Silver, UA Silver, AMX Plat, Carlson Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 188
However, if the minibar contained items requiring refrigeration, I feel sorry for the person who consumes that stuff after it was left outside of the refrigerator during your stay in the room. This is why you should ask hotel staff to clear out the refrigerator if you plan to fill it with your own items.
May 21, 2014, 2:05 pm
#21
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: europe
Programs: EX˛-*wood platinum, EX-hyatt diamond, sixt platinum, hilton silver, leaders club, esselunga verde...
Posts: 2,048
Take a picture of the minibar contents with your phone when you arrive and when you check out. I emptied the minibar fridge when I stayed in London and placed my food in fridge. Replaced all when I checked out. Minibar charges were removed without issue when I showed the clerk the picture on my phone.
May 22, 2014, 1:14 am
#22
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 160
Good to know! I tried cramming around the existing items before... Not good!
Once I bought a coke from the vending machine and recycled it in the room. The maid charged me for it without even bothering to look at inside the mini bar. So, it can happen if they are lazy and just base it on your trash contents. Not cool!
Once I bought a coke from the vending machine and recycled it in the room. The maid charged me for it without even bothering to look at inside the mini bar. So, it can happen if they are lazy and just base it on your trash contents. Not cool!
May 22, 2014, 10:44 pm
#23
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: New York, NY USA
Programs: DL DM/ 2MM, BA Silver, Amtrak Select Executive, SPG Life Plat/Amb, Fairmont Preferred
Posts: 1,056
I vote with those who note that they've seen automated minibars at few, if any, SPG properties. I know I've seen them, but they've never been at one of the anchor-type places where I've done multiple weeks/months/years.