Avoiding Hidden Hotel Surcharges
Wednesday, June 4th, 2008While you might put a lot of effort into finding cheap hotels in the same way you put effort into maximizing the value of travel through cheap airline tickets, sometimes hotel reservations still end up costing you a lot more than you want to pay for, and a lot of it has to do with hotel surcharges. These are little extra costs for things you’d never expect would cost money, including everything from receiving packages or mail to a flat rate for even picking up the phone to make a phone call.

Unfortunately, hidden surcharges like these are one of the ways many hotels are profiting these days. Experts say that last year alone, U.S. hotels brought in more than $1.6 billion through hotel fees and surcharges such as these. They’re coming up with new ways to charge you all the time as well, so staying on top of these charges and planning ahead can end up saving you a bundle on hotel vacations.
Watching for taxes is one of the most important ways to plan for the true costs of hotels. No estimated or given room rate ever includes taxes, so be expecting to see an additional amount added on to cover that expense every time you book a hotel. Know where you’re traveling and what the local law is, because it varies for different locations. For example, New York state charges an 8.75% sales tax, and also adds on a 5% hotel tax for the total cost of a reservation.
And be aware of individual fees charged by hotels. Call ahead and inquire about them and what extra services, usually considered perks, may cost. Watch out for the notorious “resort fee” which many hotels charge for being of higher quality than other hotels, and can be a flat rate of anywhere from $25-$50.
Some hotel chains, such as Hilton are now making commitments to including the “total cost” up front when you book, so you can’t be charged for anything additional. Many travel sites also factor in the surcharges and costs associated with certain locations and make sure to present them up front.
If you do get charged with extras, make sure the hotel staff at the front desk can explain everything to you, every charge and every detail. If he dismisses any charge as simply mandatory, but cannot explain why, you have grounds for dispute and can pursue the issue further with the hotel company.



