Using points for stay - do we still pay for resort fee?
 

I tried searching for this question but could not find the answer.

If you are using points for the entire stay at a property that charges resort fees, are the resort fees included with the reward stay or do you just pay the full $20-$25 fee? Is the fee mandatory or can you elect to pay for just parking and such separately?

We are looking at Maui Westin and Sheraton properties.

On the Marriott FT board, it seems that Waileau Marriott allows MR stays to pay either the full resort fee or just parking which is cheaper if you don't need the other stuff.

Thank you!

Yes, you pay the resort fee on points.

I stayed at the Sheraton Maui last month, and yes, they charged me the resort fee despite my staying on points.

They didn't offer a choice between that and just paying for parking - of course the parking price was the same as the resort fee, so given that the resort fee included parking there would not have been much of a point.

On a similar note, if you pay using cash & points, do you have to pay taxes on top of the cash rate?

This is the first thread that comes up on a search for 'cash & points taxes'.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...es+cash+points

We paid the resort fee at the Kauai Sheraton but it was worth it -- included a buffet breakfast for 2 and parking. Was a couple of years ago so I don't know if anything has changed with that.

You pay taxes, but only on the cash portion. So, for example, if the place has a 10% tax rate, and the cash portion for a cat 2 C+P is $30/nt, the taxes will be $3/nt.

Remember the disclosure rules: if the confirmation does not itemize the fees, you don't have to pay it. Class actions lawsuit were filed, and "settled", around the deceptive business practice of tackling "resort", "energy" and whatever charges at check-out without disclosure during the reservation process.