How to Avoid Hidden Hotel Fees

As a consultant for corporations, I’ve traveled a great deal during the past several years. During that time I have noticed a fundamental change in the travel industry. The cost of travelling used to be much more forthright, with the price quoted generally being the price paid. And then society changed. To keep up with that change, hotels, airlines and rental car agencies began lowering prices to compete for business—and began tacking on “hidden” fees. I’ll never forget the time I thought I’d gotten a great deal on a hotel stay, only to have sticker shock when the final bill included over $130 in extra charges. For a long time I just accepted these fees, and then my sister-in-law gave me a copy of The 5 Lessons, for Christmas. It was then that I decided I worked too hard to not add to my wealth through savings.

My financial attitude wasn’t an easy habit to break. Growing up, my parents always told us kids we couldn’t afford whatever it was we wanted. I promised myself I wouldn’t live that way as an adult. And, as you know, impressions are important in being successful. I was in the habit of being “generous” with myself and everyone around me. Dickering over dollars and cents just didn’t feel worth it. Until I started keeping track of just how much those dollar and cents added up to in hours of my life spent away from my family, making money we would never benefit from. That was enough to encourage me to find ways to “Win in the Margins through Savings”.

Jeff’s TOP 5 Tips for Avoiding Hidden Hotel Fees

1. Research. Although federal law requires hotels to disclose information, it’s a good idea to call ahead and ask about fees that may not be included in your room rate. If the hotel your staying in has a towel fee, hospitality fee, valet fee, groundskeeping fee, resort fee, bellman fee, maid fee or any other fee you won’t be taking advantage of or feel uncomfortable with, address it on the front end while making reservations and checking in. Don’t wait until you’re checking out.
2. Skip the bellman. Buy a suitcase with wheels on it, if you travel enough to warrant that. Otherwise, only bring what you can carry. (This helps with airline baggage fees, as well.)
3. Use your cell phone. Never, ever use your hotel’s room phone to do anything but place calls within the hotel.
4. Don’t order room service. If you must eat at the hotel, sit in the restaurant. Better yet, walk down the street. Personally, I stock my room with water (don’t even think about drinking the bottled water provided in your hotel room) and healthy foods. I only eat out with clients.
5. Don’t approach the mini-bar. Some hotel refrigerators will charge you for moving the contents over to add your own food. Others will charge you for leaving your hand inside the door for too long. If something requires refrigeration, walk down the hall to the ice machine, fill your ice bucket and use it.

I’ve come to enjoy saving my dollars and cents, and, if anything, I’m more generous because my money doesn’t disappear into fees. In just under two years, I’ve saved approximately $16,000 on my travel expenditures. And I’ve never had anyone react negatively to my frugality. In fact, professionally, I have better relationships with my clients. They trust me not to waste their money.