What is a resort fee, exactly?
my friend asked, driving away from our quaint Palm Springs motel.
We received a bill with a long, confounding list of taxes and fees.
Too lazy to decipher each item, we paid without really knowing what we paid for.
Youve probably been there, too, so lets explore whats included in your typical hotel bill.
Hotels make so much money thanks to fees (a record $2.7 billion last year).
At least those fees are straightforward.
You see a Wi-Fi charge on your bill, you know itsprobablybecause you used the Wi-Fi.
But there are sneakier fees that can lead to some serious head scratching.
And even if you are staying at a resortisnt that what your room rate pays for?
A resort fee is a fee that customers pay for the amenities and extras that come with a hotel.
It might cover the business center, daily newspaper delivery, or gym.
Similarly, you might also pay a groundskeeping fee for lawn and landscaping maintenance.
According to the LA Times, these resort fees, readers, are not mandated by law.
Theyve not been levied by a legitimate taxing organization.
They are financial sleights of hand.
In other words, theyre totally at the discretion of the hotel and thus, negotiable.
You might be able to get around a resort fee if youre part of a hotels loyalty program.
You shouldnt be charged for things that are already included as a published benefit.
And this is on top of the state sales tax and local sales tax.
Obviously, what you pay will vary depending on where the hotel is located.
In Palm Springs, you may pay as much as 13.5%, depending on the hotel.
All of these taxes and fees add up, but theres not much you could do about them.
The National Conference of State Legislatures has astate by state list of lodging tax rates here.
Is it worth arguing over a few dollars to charity?
Its easy to remove the donation fee but then what happens with your karma for $1?
Despite the karma hit, Suzanne says shes had luck haggling the donation fee herself.
Simply ask for it to be removed.
And if you want to keep that karma,donate to a charity on your own!
If the restocking fee is $4.95, for example, you just paid nearly ten bucks for candy.
Ask if theres a restocking fee, and if there is, ask if theyll waive it.
Again, its easier to haggle away these fees before you actually check out and receive your bill.
And if they wont budge on the fee?
I guess its up to you to decide how badly you want to taste the rainbow.
That said, hotels can be stubbornly vague about where that fee comes from and where your money goes.
But what is everything?
And what is the 6% service charge thats included in theservice charge?
If youreunaware of it and tipping the staff anyway,youre payingeven more.
Again, you could venture to get these fees waived by inquiring about them when you book your room.
Even if the hotel says no, at least youll know what to expect.
