5 pitfalls to avoid when booking hotels
So you think you found a great hotel deal, but then get to the checkout page or, even worse, show up to the front desk and are surprised with unanticipated fees on your bill. We've all been there.
Unfortunately, hidden fees and unanticipated add-ons are increasingly common in travel, especially with hotels. In addition to resort fees, we've encountered hidden fees for things like having extra guests or even housekeeping. We've also seen some hotels impose strict cancellation policies for bookings that are supposed to be flexible.
A little bit of research can go a long way when booking travel. Here are five things to look out for specifically before booking your next hotel stay to avoid any surprises.
Amenity fees
One of the most common surcharges nowadays is amenity fees — oftentimes referred to as resort fees, facilities fees or destination fees. These are mandatory charges added to your final bill for every night of your stay. While you typically don't pay these fees until checkout, they should be disclosed at the time of booking.
These ancillary charges, which range from $5 to $40 or even upwards of $100 per night, are allegedly in place to provide access to amenities like the gym, pool, beach chairs and Wi-Fi. We've even seen properties, such as the Staybridge Suites Times Square, charge extra for housekeeping, and properties like the Harborside Resort at Atlantis charge utility service fees. Some resorts, including Atlantis, also charge mandatory gratuities on top of the other fees.
Fortunately, you can usually avoid these fees when booking award stays with Hilton and World of Hyatt. Marriott Bonvoy and IHG, on the other hand, still pass them on when booking with points.
Related: How to avoid resort fees
Extra guest fees
It's important to always specify the correct number of guests when making a reservation or you could face extra fees. These fees are usually between $5 to $10 and are charged for the third and fourth guests, though outside North America, it's also common to be charged for the second guest. That said, the fees can sometimes be much higher than that — especially at all-inclusive properties.
A TPG reader recently reached out to share that the North Island Resort in Seychelles — a private-island resort you can book with Marriott points — tried to charge them an extra $1,210 per additional guest per night. Even worse, the extra guest fee wasn't disclosed anywhere at the time of booking. Also, this isn't an all-inclusive property, so the guests weren't receiving any additional benefits.
Related: Booking the wrong number of hotel guests
Extra strict cancellation policies
Typically, when you book a flexible rate or an award stay, you can cancel your stay for a refund up to 24 to 72 hours before check-in. However, this isn't a hard-and-fast rule. It's vital to review the cancelation policy of every hotel booking you make as some properties have much stricter policies.
Ski resorts, in particular, tend to have more punitive cancellation policies. For instance, winter stays at The St. Regis Aspen Resort come with a 60-day cancellation penalty. The same is normally true for The St. Regis Deer Valley, though it appears it will give guests a 30-day cancellation deadline for the upcoming season.
Some beach resorts, such as the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in Hawaii and The St. Regis Maldives, require you to cancel your stay at least two weeks before arrival. Meanwhile, the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort requires at least 21 days' notice.
Related: Your guide to booking refundable travel
Award hold fees
In addition to strict cancellation policies, some properties impose deposits for booking awards. If you cancel your stay outside of the grace period, you'll be charged a cash penalty, as opposed to losing your points. These fees — which aren't always clearly disclosed — are sometimes equivalent to the cash rate of your stay, so you could potentially be on the hook for hundreds or thousands of dollars. While it appears that these properties have done away with these fees during the pandemic, properties known for imposing award hold fees include the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, the Westin Rusutsu Resort and the W Koh Samui.
Exclusions at all-inclusives
If you're booking an all-inclusive resort, it's important to review what is and isn't included. For instance, there may be extra fees for certain restaurants, activities, premium alcohol and room service. As discussed above, resort fees and mandatory gratuities are common at all-inclusive properties.
Related: 13 mistakes to avoid at all-inclusive resorts
Bottom line
Before booking your next hotel stay, do your research to see what extra fees you might incur and if there are any punitive policies you need to be aware of. While most major hotel chains and online travel agencies have gotten better at disclosing these things, every property is unique, so you should always read the fine print. If there's a fee that lurks up on your final bill and truly wasn't listed anywhere on the hotel's site, you can try to get it waived at check-out.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.