The frustration is familiar: you’ve secured a hotel room, believing you know the total cost, only to be presented with a surprise at check-in – the dreaded resort fee. It’s an extra, mandatory charge tacked onto your bill, promising access to amenities that often feel…included already. This practice has become increasingly common, turning a relaxing arrival into a moment of annoyance.
These fees, disguised as “destination fees” or “amenity fees,” can range from ten to fifty dollars per night, and even higher at luxury properties in major cities. They’re presented as covering things like Wi-Fi, pool access, or even the convenience of printing a boarding pass. But the reality often feels like a revenue boost disguised as a service.
Recently, a trip to Las Vegas revealed a clever strategy to sidestep these fees entirely: utilizing points and miles. A weekend stay coinciding with a major music festival pushed room rates to around $500 per night. A hefty sum, even for the excitement of the city.
Fortunately, availability allowed booking the same nights for just 75,000 Hilton Honors points per night, totaling 225,000 points for the three-night stay. This redemption saved approximately $1,500, including taxes, and valued the points at an impressive 0.67 cents each – exceeding established valuations.
The Conrad Las Vegas, along with its sister properties at Resorts World, levies a $55 daily resort fee. This fee supposedly unlocks benefits like internet access, smart TV casting, discounts on spa treatments, and access to digital newspapers. However, the value felt minimal.
Of all the listed perks, only the Wi-Fi was actually utilized, a service expected as standard in any modern hotel. The thought of paying $165 over the stay for such limited benefits felt outrageous, especially considering the minimal savings offered on potential spa expenditures.
The best part? Hilton Honors award redemptions completely waive these resort fees. Access to the amenities was granted, but without the added cost. This highlights the importance of factoring in potential resort fees when planning a hotel stay.
While some destinations are experimenting with temporarily waiving these fees, acknowledging their unpopularity, they remain a prevalent practice. Fortunately, points and miles offer a powerful solution, not only reducing room costs but also eliminating the sting of those unexpected charges.
This leaves more of your travel budget available for experiences that truly matter – perhaps a little luck at the blackjack table, or simply enjoying the destination without the frustration of hidden fees.
