Check for Hidden Hotel Fees

If you’re planning a trip this summer, study the hotel prices closely.

There are new charges for many things people take for granted.

The next time you check into a hotel, you’re room rate may not cover everything you might expect.

More and more hotels and resorts are charging extra for many services people assume are included in the price.

Travel agent Lesley Keyter has begun warning her customers to check for hidden costs.

She’s noticed a new trend towards optional extras and mandatory extras.

“The optional extras that’s fine, if you want to use them you can or you can decline. The concern is the mandatory extras because you don’t have any choice in that. It will very often come onto your bill at the end and then you may query that, what is that charge? Oh that’s a charge for housekeeping or it’s a charge for resort fees, use of the pool even though you didn’t use the pool.

Here’s some of the new fees, taxes or surcharges you may have to pay.

A minibar deposit and restocking, housekeeping, tourism promotion, pets, shuttle van service and fees for internet service, phones and incoming and outgoing faxes.

Some hotels charge extra for early check-in and check-out, using the fitness room, the business centre and in some cases there’s a room service surcharge, a delivery fee and a mandatory tip and some place charge for ice.

Lesley Keyter says some of these fees are charged for services whether you use them or not.

“Before you check in just find out if they have some kind of a card or a rate sheet where it gives you all of the optional extras and all of the mandatory extra charge.”

You can check the hotel web site or talk to a travel agent before you book.

One way to avoid being nickeled and dimed is to join a hotels frequent guest program.

You not only get points for staying but access to many hotel services without additional charges.