Absurd hotel pet fees
#31
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ICT
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Posts: 1,330
Who is complaining about $75 refundable deposits? The OP was about a $125 non-refundable pet fee. Those fees are outrageous. And if anyone thinks that a hotel always has the carpets cleaned or the bedspreads dry cleaned after a dog has visited, I have got a bridge to sell you! Maybe if there was a really bad accident but otherwise.. And they charge all pet owners the fee regardless of whether the dog actually does cause damage. I would have no problem with a truly refundable deposit. That is not the case in many hotels.
As far as boarding, the price for dog hotels is absurd. I'll pay it for a weekend but for a longer trip, I always use the same old-fashioned kennel with an indoor area and an outdoor run that is for one dog only. It's much cheaper.
As far as boarding, the price for dog hotels is absurd. I'll pay it for a weekend but for a longer trip, I always use the same old-fashioned kennel with an indoor area and an outdoor run that is for one dog only. It's much cheaper.
But if you go to hotels where they don't dry clean the bedspreads if a dog had a little accident, I think it's time to look at other lodging options! (kidding)
#32
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
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Who is complaining about $75 refundable deposits? The OP was about a $125 non-refundable pet fee. Those fees are outrageous. And if anyone thinks that a hotel always has the carpets cleaned or the bedspreads dry cleaned after a dog has visited, I have got a bridge to sell you! Maybe if there was a really bad accident but otherwise.. And they charge all pet owners the fee regardless of whether the dog actually does cause damage. I would have no problem with a truly refundable deposit. That is not the case in many hotels.
As far as boarding, the price for dog hotels is absurd. I'll pay it for a weekend but for a longer trip, I always use the same old-fashioned kennel with an indoor area and an outdoor run that is for one dog only. It's much cheaper.
As far as boarding, the price for dog hotels is absurd. I'll pay it for a weekend but for a longer trip, I always use the same old-fashioned kennel with an indoor area and an outdoor run that is for one dog only. It's much cheaper.
I think the comment was that if a dog visits doesn't mean that they'll give anything an extra cleaning. If the dog had an accident, probably. But, if the dog didn't have an accident in the room, they probably won't do anything extra in regards to cleaning.
#33
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I'd be fine with a refundable fee as well.
I think the comment was that if a dog visits doesn't mean that they'll give anything an extra cleaning. If the dog had an accident, probably. But, if the dog didn't have an accident in the room, they probably won't do anything extra in regards to cleaning.
I think the comment was that if a dog visits doesn't mean that they'll give anything an extra cleaning. If the dog had an accident, probably. But, if the dog didn't have an accident in the room, they probably won't do anything extra in regards to cleaning.
#34
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: CAE,AGS
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I typically stay at either a Hilton or a Residence Inn (depending on what is in the area) when traveling with Goldie. She is crate trained and has no problem staying in her crate when we are out of the room - I bribe her with a Greenie to keep her quiet until we are fully away. We always take a puppy mat and leave it by the door in case we need it. In about ten stays she has used it only once.
What gets me though, is the fact that in the Hilton Family, dogs are accepted at the Hilton but not the Fairfield Inn... sometimes at a Doubletree, sometimes not.... in other words, not across the board. I think at our last stay in Savannah (Hilton Melrose), it was a $75 flat non-refundable fee for the two nights. She didn't receive any 'goodies' there.... however, we got a nice little zipper bag with treats, poo bags, cleaning spray, and a Hilton tag at the hotel in Greenville. I've noticed too that dogs are restricted to certain floors - no upgrades with poochie.
I just wish the fees were consistent - and, also, refundable if the room were checked after departure and no damage were found.
What gets me though, is the fact that in the Hilton Family, dogs are accepted at the Hilton but not the Fairfield Inn... sometimes at a Doubletree, sometimes not.... in other words, not across the board. I think at our last stay in Savannah (Hilton Melrose), it was a $75 flat non-refundable fee for the two nights. She didn't receive any 'goodies' there.... however, we got a nice little zipper bag with treats, poo bags, cleaning spray, and a Hilton tag at the hotel in Greenville. I've noticed too that dogs are restricted to certain floors - no upgrades with poochie.
I just wish the fees were consistent - and, also, refundable if the room were checked after departure and no damage were found.
#35
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 805
And mbaretto is right: with my dog, I probably stayed in rooms where, given the number of stains on the bedspread, I would never know if a previous dog had an accident on it!
I, too, agree that in one chain, pet policies should be consistent. I can stay in a Residence Inn with my dog and pay one fee, pay another at a different Residence Inn but can't stay at a Courtyard. I can stay in one HI Express but not a different HI Express or they charge a different fee. Consistency would be helpful. Sometimes, I can't even find a staff member who knows what the policy is when I call or the website states something different from what the staff tells me. It gets ridiculous.
#36
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1
I typically stay at either a Hilton or a Residence Inn (depending on what is in the area) when traveling with Goldie. She is crate trained and has no problem staying in her crate when we are out of the room - I bribe her with a Greenie to keep her quiet until we are fully away.
That is one of the reasons I usually leave her in a safe kennel, she has has fun there and I have peace of mind.
Last edited by RSSrsvp; May 15, 2010 at 8:47 am Reason: removed commercial link
#37
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: The Castro, San Francisco, California
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Posts: 594
Marriott, Residence Inn, Courtyard, etc...
Marriott and affiliates have a policy of doing a "super cleaning" of each room after a dog stays there. This takes about 90 minutes extra for the maid.
A better idea is to stay at La Quinta Inns. They welcome pets and have no fee for them. There are always lots of dog owners staying there.
A better idea is to stay at La Quinta Inns. They welcome pets and have no fee for them. There are always lots of dog owners staying there.
#38
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
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Posts: 6,748
I very much like the RI product for my annual 4K driving trip as it works well for my SO and our 'son'. However, since most of the stays are limited to one night only this will force me to avoid Marriotts this summer more often than I would like. The need for points to use on future stays outside the USA just isn't good math at $100 a day especially since they used to charge only $20.
#39
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 805
I very much like the RI product for my annual 4K driving trip as it works well for my SO and our 'son'. However, since most of the stays are limited to one night only this will force me to avoid Marriotts this summer more often than I would like. The need for points to use on future stays outside the USA just isn't good math at $100 a day especially since they used to charge only $20.
#40
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Priority Club Platinum
Posts: 150
I highly and wholly support pet fees. But that aside, the question of why some hotels charge so much seems to me to pretty evident: to discourage pets! It is pretty basic: if you make something free, then you have a free for all. That's why "nothing" is free, even if there is little cost or intrinsic value to it.
Raise the price a little, and you have some corresponding fall-away. There are, no doubt, studies that can quantify how this works with various goods and services. Raise the price enough, then you only deal with a few takers, or only those who are serious about the purchase/use, etc.
For example, take "free" breakfasts. I read so many people say "That breakfast was OK, but I wouldn't pay for it." But they go and glutton themselves up because it is "free." No wonder these offerings are so mediocre! Half the people attach no value to it!
There are those who say, "That amount is unacceptable!" That is exactly what the seler is saying: it is "unacceptable" to me to deal with the risk/liability/inconvenience/complaints. In the hotel's case, the owner is making a decision what that threshhold is for him. That might well be different than what a user considers "acceptable," in which case the user is free to move on. Who is anyone to "require" a proprietor to sell his service (allowing pets, in this case, but realy any good or service) at a particular price? What other industry or business is so required?
And as for this "EVERY hotel in a chain should follow the same policy," that is just absurd. There are differing local regulations and way too many variables to make this even remotely feasible.
Raise the price a little, and you have some corresponding fall-away. There are, no doubt, studies that can quantify how this works with various goods and services. Raise the price enough, then you only deal with a few takers, or only those who are serious about the purchase/use, etc.
For example, take "free" breakfasts. I read so many people say "That breakfast was OK, but I wouldn't pay for it." But they go and glutton themselves up because it is "free." No wonder these offerings are so mediocre! Half the people attach no value to it!
There are those who say, "That amount is unacceptable!" That is exactly what the seler is saying: it is "unacceptable" to me to deal with the risk/liability/inconvenience/complaints. In the hotel's case, the owner is making a decision what that threshhold is for him. That might well be different than what a user considers "acceptable," in which case the user is free to move on. Who is anyone to "require" a proprietor to sell his service (allowing pets, in this case, but realy any good or service) at a particular price? What other industry or business is so required?
And as for this "EVERY hotel in a chain should follow the same policy," that is just absurd. There are differing local regulations and way too many variables to make this even remotely feasible.
#41
I highly and wholly support pet fees. But that aside, the question of why some hotels charge so much seems to me to pretty evident: to discourage pets! It is pretty basic: if you make something free, then you have a free for all. That's why "nothing" is free, even if there is little cost or intrinsic value to it.
Raise the price a little, and you have some corresponding fall-away. There are, no doubt, studies that can quantify how this works with various goods and services. Raise the price enough, then you only deal with a few takers, or only those who are serious about the purchase/use, etc.
For example, take "free" breakfasts. I read so many people say "That breakfast was OK, but I wouldn't pay for it." But they go and glutton themselves up because it is "free." No wonder these offerings are so mediocre! Half the people attach no value to it!
There are those who say, "That amount is unacceptable!" That is exactly what the seler is saying: it is "unacceptable" to me to deal with the risk/liability/inconvenience/complaints. In the hotel's case, the owner is making a decision what that threshhold is for him. That might well be different than what a user considers "acceptable," in which case the user is free to move on. Who is anyone to "require" a proprietor to sell his service (allowing pets, in this case, but realy any good or service) at a particular price? What other industry or business is so required?
And as for this "EVERY hotel in a chain should follow the same policy," that is just absurd. There are differing local regulations and way too many variables to make this even remotely feasible.
Raise the price a little, and you have some corresponding fall-away. There are, no doubt, studies that can quantify how this works with various goods and services. Raise the price enough, then you only deal with a few takers, or only those who are serious about the purchase/use, etc.
For example, take "free" breakfasts. I read so many people say "That breakfast was OK, but I wouldn't pay for it." But they go and glutton themselves up because it is "free." No wonder these offerings are so mediocre! Half the people attach no value to it!
There are those who say, "That amount is unacceptable!" That is exactly what the seler is saying: it is "unacceptable" to me to deal with the risk/liability/inconvenience/complaints. In the hotel's case, the owner is making a decision what that threshhold is for him. That might well be different than what a user considers "acceptable," in which case the user is free to move on. Who is anyone to "require" a proprietor to sell his service (allowing pets, in this case, but realy any good or service) at a particular price? What other industry or business is so required?
And as for this "EVERY hotel in a chain should follow the same policy," that is just absurd. There are differing local regulations and way too many variables to make this even remotely feasible.
Fortunately, better hotel chains disagrees with pet haters and are all pet friendly and doesn't charge a dime for you to bring your friend along. They even provide food, toys and beds for free.
The problem is little hick towns with crappy hotels doing stuff like this. As a part of a bigger chain that has top tier members encountering bs like this, the chain should absolutely care. And how you find it absurd that hotel chains should follow the same pet policy, amuses me. All W Hotels, Westins, Peninsula and Kimptons (among others) allow pets for free at all their properties.
#42
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
Programs: DL DM/2.768MM, Global Entry, Titanium_Marriott, GHertz
Posts: 6,748
I highly and wholly support pet fees. But that aside, the question of why some hotels charge so much seems to me to pretty evident: to discourage pets! It is pretty basic: if you make something free, then you have a free for all. That's why "nothing" is free, even if there is little cost or intrinsic value to it.
#43
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 50,968
And you are entitled to your opinion. Most people who bring pets to the hotels are responsible and smart enough to make sure the pet in no way inconvenience anyone. There is a bigger chance that you will be inconvenienced by noisy kids than a dog at a hotel.
Fortunately, better hotel chains disagrees with pet haters and are all pet friendly and doesn't charge a dime for you to bring your friend along. They even provide food, toys and beds for free.
The problem is little hick towns with crappy hotels doing stuff like this. As a part of a bigger chain that has top tier members encountering bs like this, the chain should absolutely care. And how you find it absurd that hotel chains should follow the same pet policy, amuses me. All W Hotels, Westins, Peninsula and Kimptons (among others) allow pets for free at all their properties.
Fortunately, better hotel chains disagrees with pet haters and are all pet friendly and doesn't charge a dime for you to bring your friend along. They even provide food, toys and beds for free.
The problem is little hick towns with crappy hotels doing stuff like this. As a part of a bigger chain that has top tier members encountering bs like this, the chain should absolutely care. And how you find it absurd that hotel chains should follow the same pet policy, amuses me. All W Hotels, Westins, Peninsula and Kimptons (among others) allow pets for free at all their properties.
I used to be concerned that Cobaka would annoy people--she used to bark for a few minutes if we left for some reason. That said, we figured out that she'd bark until she knew we left, then she'd have the time of her life, playing with her toys, jumping bed to bed or bed to furniture, and would settle down and curl up on one of the beds to sleep. She stopped with the barking though, now that Geno's around.