Additional charges in hotels: what they are and how to avoid them

Some hotels charge extra for certain services, even if you are not going to use them. For convenience, that should be free, sometimes you have to pay. That may apply to these services and how to minimize these unnecessary expenses, you will learn from this article.

We are accustomed to the additional costs that bear before and during the flight. Would you like to help you with your luggage, - pay. Fly low-cost airlines, the food is not included in the ticket price, and want to eat - pay. All this, of course, a very sad but familiar. And so we got to the hotel and we hope that the additional costs are over. But it was not there.

According to forecasts, the hotel business will bring their owners a tidy sum - $ 2.25 billion (and all this thanks to an additional fee; money received for the provision of accommodation, do not belong here). Booked - is forearmed, so we present you a selection of common services that can be included in your account, even if you do not use them, and amenities that are usually free, but some hotels may be provided for additional money.

resort fee

Resort fees are becoming more and more common, and sometimes can cost quite decent money (eg, $ 20-50 per day).

Additional services

Use of the gym or the swimming pool, daily newspaper delivery, using landline phone and so on. Even if you do not use all these services, they can still be included in your account.

Access to the Internet

If you want to use the internet in your room, it is for many of the hotels will charge an extra fee. Some hotels even have to pay for what you use Wi-Fi in the hotel lobby. To avoid the cost of the Internet (and they can be very rather big - $ 10-20 per day), you can give yourself a holiday without the Internet or go to the WAN using a smartphone (useful only if your operator offers reasonable prices in roaming).

Meets and is Internet like as free, but it is very slow. And if you want a normal speed, respectively, will have to pay.

Tipping hotel staff

Tipping messenger, maid and other staff can be your another item of expenditure, especially in some hotels tip the staff already included in your account. So, before you give someone a tip from the staff of the hotel, ask, not whether they are already included in your account.

parking

You do not have a car? Unscrupulous owners of some hotels even though it will include parking fees in your account.

If you have a car, perhaps you will be redirected to another clever trick: you offer to your car parked a member of staff (of course, in most cases for an additional fee).

Transfer from the airport to the hotel

Before you use this service, check, free or not. Some hotels charge for a transfer fee.

for luggage storage fee

Time to leave the room, and your flight is only a couple of hours. You want to take a walk and do not want to carry a bag around the city. Do you think that the staff look after your things for free? As practice shows, this service may cost you a few dollars.

Cooler water and cookies

Most hotels are small things are free, but sometimes they can cost you a few dollars. So before you have a drink and a snack, make sure that it's free.

Cancel Room reservation

Before booking examine the conditions carefully, if you want to cancel your reservation for a day or two before arrival, the hotel may require you to pay for the apartment per night (minimum).

Early arrival and late departure

Your plans suddenly changed, you will need to move into a room for a couple of hours earlier or leave later? Prepare to be that in this, too, will have to pay.

Mini bar

There are various expenses that you may incur due to the mini-bar, even if you do not eat the contents. If you just pulled out and put the bottle in place or moved something to accommodate their own drinks, the sensors, which is equipped with a mini-bar, can add on to your account more costs.

Electricity charges

Energy costs are constantly increasing, and in order to reduce them, in many hotels they can be included in your account.

towels

If you need more towels for the pool, it can cost you a dollar or two, especially if you sweat will take it with you to your room.

How to minimize these additional costs

1. Before you make your reservation, conduct your own research: learn the official hotel website, carefully read the conditions of residence. Google reviews of guests. And not only limited to online booking, if you can call the hotel and discuss the conditions. After the conversation be sure to check the name and title of the person who gave you the information.
2. Be polite and friendlyDo not forget the magic words "thank you" and "please". Who knows, maybe the hotel staff will close their eyes to the fact that you sat down an hour earlier, and left an hour later, and for your luggage will look for a chocolate bar.
3. Make sure that your account will not include the services and amenities you do not use (Gym, parking, and so on). Just do not pull to the end - check in settlement day.
4. Think about the additional spending, which you can not avoid (Eg, internet costs, resort fee), and make sure you can afford it.
5. Do not leave a tip twice. If you already left a tip hotel staff, and in the long run have noticed this point, do not hesitate to ask to remove this line costs.
6. Buy food and drinks outside the hotel. This will help you to get rid of temptation, when you think once again fall on a mini-bar.
7. If in doubt - ask. You want to visit a gym? Remarkably, but before that do not forget to ask if it's free.
8. Do not forget that there are loyalty programs in many hotels. This will help you save money, especially if you travel frequently.
9. Use your mobile phone. If you use the hotel phone, it can cost you a pretty penny, so before the trip be sure to connect the tariff that will be beneficial to you outside of the home.
10. Do not hurry. Many people leave the hotel in a hurry and almost without looking to pay all the bills. Be tricky: plan on time and thoroughly examine all of what you offer to pay.

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