$40/day for hotel housekeeping? A reader got socked with that charge — here’s how to avoid it
We've all been there. You book a hotel stay, show up at the front desk to check-in only to be disappointed. Maybe your room wasn't ready at check-in time or they don't have that non-smoking room you booked. This happens quite a bit, especially in Las Vegas, where the massive casinos have a huge hotel room inventory that's constantly fluctuating. But, what happens when you show up at the front desk and they tell you that you'll need to pay nearly $40 per night if you want daily housekeeping?
That's what happened to TPG reader Mark P. on a recent stay at the Hilton Grand Vacations at the Flamingo in Las Vegas. He booked a one-bedroom suite on the Hilton website just like any normal hotel stay you or I would book at hilton.com. But upon arrival, the front desk told him housekeeping wasn't included and presented him with a sheet of paper outlining his options.
The Hilton Grand Vacations is a timeshare property. When Mark first contacted TPG, we assumed that maybe he booked a timeshare and just wasn't aware that daily housekeeping generally isn't included. We decided to try to book a room the same way Mark did: through the Hilton website at the Hilton Grand Vacations at the Flamingo. Sure enough, we couldn't find anything that indicated housekeeping wasn't included.
The Points Guy reached out to Hilton for comment but had not heard back by press time. We'll update the post if we do receive clarification from Hilton.
The property does disclose that it charges a $25 resort fee per night and details of what that covers (internet access, bottled water, free phone calls, etc.). But, there are no disclosures about the extra cost of housekeeping. When you consider that you can still find plenty of nights where the room rate at a Las Vegas Strip property is less than $100 per night, $40 for housekeeping and $25 for a resort fee can easily almost double your nightly expense. It's also worth noting that booking with Hilton Honors points won't get you out of housekeeping fees like this.
Booking at a "regular" hotel, such as a Homewood Suites, doesn't indicate on the Hilton website whether daily housekeeping is included. We all generally assume it is, though nowadays, that's more "buyer beware" than it ever has been.
Bottom line
The Hilton website does a poor job disclosing that housekeeping isn't included in the room rate at Hilton Grand Vacations at the Flamingo. With all the changes during the pandemic, it's reasonable to wonder if you'll even get daily housekeeping when you do request it. I had a stay in July at a popular Strip casino property and received no daily housekeeping for four straight days.
The best advice to avoid a surprise housekeeping charge is to call Hilton's reservation line prior to booking and inquire with an agent. Though not foolproof, that should help you figure out whether there will be a separate charge for housekeeping at timeshare properties, such as the Hilton Grand Vacations collection.
I called the Hilton Diamond line and they weren't initially sure of the answer on housekeeping. They contacted the property on my behalf and informed me that any stay of five nights or more will get one day of daily housekeeping on the fifth day. A fee is assessed for any additional housekeeping requested. They also confirmed that the fee depends on the room type booked.
If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's to make sure you confirm with the front desk that the benefits you value (housekeeping, free elite breakfast) are being offered right now. The best bet for that is to call the specific property ahead of time.
Right now, even the savviest travelers are being surprised by pop-up fees and key benefits temporarily suspended. Spend that extra time before you travel to avoid a disappointing surprise on your next trip.
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- 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.
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- 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. |
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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.