Comments on: Hotels will be forced to disclose fees and charges up front… but not to US customers http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/05/27/hotels-will-be-forced-to-disclose-fees-and-charges-up-front-but-not-to-us-customers/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:21:15 +0000 hourly 1 By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/05/27/hotels-will-be-forced-to-disclose-fees-and-charges-up-front-but-not-to-us-customers/#comment-28197 Mark Ashley Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:13:32 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=3111#comment-28197 Jeff, perhaps <a href="http://www.opodo.co.uk" rel="nofollow">Opodo</a>? Jeff, perhaps Opodo?

]]> By: Jeff G http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/05/27/hotels-will-be-forced-to-disclose-fees-and-charges-up-front-but-not-to-us-customers/#comment-28128 Jeff G Fri, 29 May 2009 13:27:49 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=3111#comment-28128 Any idea of a European-based website that might show these surcharges? I figure if I look at both a US-based website (either something like a Priceline or Hotels.com) and a Euro site, I can get a fee for who's charging "extra" and factor that in ahead of time. Any idea of a European-based website that might show these surcharges? I figure if I look at both a US-based website (either something like a Priceline or Hotels.com) and a Euro site, I can get a fee for who’s charging “extra” and factor that in ahead of time.

]]> By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/05/27/hotels-will-be-forced-to-disclose-fees-and-charges-up-front-but-not-to-us-customers/#comment-28124 Mark Ashley Thu, 28 May 2009 20:51:09 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=3111#comment-28124 Marieke, as an American, I'm admittedly accustomed to the notion of sales taxes, though I haven't encountered the 33% that you're paying on top of your base rate for coffee... ;) I would love to see an all-in requirement for everything (rental cars, anyone?...) but as long as tips are still an option, rather than an included feature, I'd like that one kept separately. Marieke, as an American, I’m admittedly accustomed to the notion of sales taxes, though I haven’t encountered the 33% that you’re paying on top of your base rate for coffee… ;)

I would love to see an all-in requirement for everything (rental cars, anyone?…) but as long as tips are still an option, rather than an included feature, I’d like that one kept separately.

]]> By: Marieke http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/05/27/hotels-will-be-forced-to-disclose-fees-and-charges-up-front-but-not-to-us-customers/#comment-28123 Marieke Thu, 28 May 2009 20:33:45 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=3111#comment-28123 It's about as annoying as ordering a coffee in the US. The sign says 1,50 dollar. But when you leave the shop, you will probably have paid nearly 2 dollar. Why are (sales) taxes not included in the price? They are mandatory, after all. Add the "mandatory" tipping - the final charge is always a surprise in the US. Well, getting out of my (European) comfort zone is a good thing ;) Really looking forward to being able to book a US hotel room without any (financial) surprises from now on, though! It’s about as annoying as ordering a coffee in the US. The sign says 1,50 dollar. But when you leave the shop, you will probably have paid nearly 2 dollar. Why are (sales) taxes not included in the price? They are mandatory, after all. Add the “mandatory” tipping – the final charge is always a surprise in the US. Well, getting out of my (European) comfort zone is a good thing ;)

Really looking forward to being able to book a US hotel room without any (financial) surprises from now on, though!

]]> By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/05/27/hotels-will-be-forced-to-disclose-fees-and-charges-up-front-but-not-to-us-customers/#comment-28122 Mark Ashley Thu, 28 May 2009 18:22:43 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=3111#comment-28122 Embarcadero, I have had varying experience with these charges. At some properties (a Hilton in Sedona comes to mind), a simple questioning of the logic of fee was enough to have it removed (this was a few years ago). At others (Hyatt Lake Tahoe comes to mind) the staff was adamant: Don't pay the resort fee, don't check in. (That was a Priceline reservation for me, so I grumbled and paid it up.) So what's your strategy? applezz, Priceline and Hotwire bookings are especially "vulnerable" to such bookings, I'm afraid. If US-based agencies won't be required to break out taxes and fees, then Priceline and Hotwire almost certainly won't. Embarcadero, I have had varying experience with these charges. At some properties (a Hilton in Sedona comes to mind), a simple questioning of the logic of fee was enough to have it removed (this was a few years ago). At others (Hyatt Lake Tahoe comes to mind) the staff was adamant: Don’t pay the resort fee, don’t check in. (That was a Priceline reservation for me, so I grumbled and paid it up.) So what’s your strategy?

applezz, Priceline and Hotwire bookings are especially “vulnerable” to such bookings, I’m afraid. If US-based agencies won’t be required to break out taxes and fees, then Priceline and Hotwire almost certainly won’t.

]]> By: applezz http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/05/27/hotels-will-be-forced-to-disclose-fees-and-charges-up-front-but-not-to-us-customers/#comment-28117 applezz Thu, 28 May 2009 03:31:08 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=3111#comment-28117 Will this also apply to websites like Priceline or Hotwire? It seems many hotels offer lower rates there only to get the customer with the "resort" fees on a non-refundable room rate. Will this also apply to websites like Priceline or Hotwire? It seems many hotels offer lower rates there only to get the customer with the “resort” fees on a non-refundable room rate.

]]> By: Embarcadero http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/05/27/hotels-will-be-forced-to-disclose-fees-and-charges-up-front-but-not-to-us-customers/#comment-28115 Embarcadero Thu, 28 May 2009 01:42:44 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=3111#comment-28115 Do other people pay these charges? I routinely dispute anything called "resort fee" or "service charge" that isn't included in the booking. Taxes I pay…  Anybody else? I can't help but think that this is a bit of a hail mary. Is there really some requirement that we agree to pay charges other than those to which we agree up front? Do other people pay these charges?

I routinely dispute anything called “resort fee” or “service charge” that isn’t included in the booking. Taxes I pay… 

Anybody else? I can’t help but think that this is a bit of a hail mary.

Is there really some requirement that we agree to pay charges other than those to which we agree up front?

]]> By: hoteljuice (HotelJuice) http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/05/27/hotels-will-be-forced-to-disclose-fees-and-charges-up-front-but-not-to-us-customers/#comment-28130 hoteljuice (HotelJuice) Thu, 01 Jan 1970 04:59:59 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=3111#comment-28130 Hotels will be forced to disclose fees and charges up front? but not to US customers http://tinyurl.com/qmdq8l Hotels will be forced to disclose fees and charges up front? but not to US customers http://tinyurl.com/qmdq8l

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