Hotel and Resort Fees Examined: Are They Legal?

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Hotel and resort fees started popping up on travelers’ bills starting in the 1990s. When resort fees were first created, they were meant for the upkeep of high-end facilities and to offer extra perks to those who were paying extra.

Now, resort fees are routine, but often provide the customer no extra benefits. One of the most common examples of an extra fee is WiFi internet for the hotel.  Some of these fees even go so far as to cover newspaper delivers and local phone calls.  This traveling trend has risen over the past five years, and shows no signs of stopping.

Overview of Resort Fees

According to research by Bjorn Hanson, the divisional dean of the Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management at New York University, the fees add up considerably.  Hanson reported that the United States hotel industry collected approximately $1.55 billion from fees and surcharges alone in 2009.  While Hanson states that these fees are can be understood from the hospitality service side, he understands the grievances that consumers have towards these, especially considering that many of them are no longer optional.

Hanson has developed a variety of ways to avoid some travel fees. Resort fees are almost always a fixed rate that is paid per room or per night, and, if any perks come with this fee, it is typically only for one person.

Resort fees are the highest and most common in the most popular tourist destinations. While most hotels do not advertise that they charge resort fees, they are typically listed in the fine print. Consumers have complained after being drawn in by an advertised rate, but finding out later that resort and other fees that weren’t included were mandatory.

The Federal Trade Commission recently in 2102 sent a letter to 22 hotel operators warning that their online rate quotes may be deceptive and in violation of federal regulations due to their practice of listing mandatory hotel fees separately in fine print, or not at all, during online booking.

A class action lawsuit investigation has been launched to find customers who may have fallen victim to illegal resort fees and are due compensation.

Join a Free Class Action Lawsuit Investigation over Resort Fees

If you were charged a mandatory hotel resort fee that surprised you, or was not adequately disclosed until after you booked your hotel, or not until check-out, you may be eligible to participate in a free class action lawsuit investigation. Some of the hotel chains being investigated for this potentially illegal practice include:

• Fairmont
• Hilton
• Hyatt
• IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group)
• Marriott
• Starwood
• Westin
• Wyndham
• Others

Submit your information now to see if you qualify at our Hotel Resort Fee Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. The attorneys working with Top Class Actions want to hear your story to try and help you receive the just legal compensation you deserve. Learn more today!