5 things you have to pay for when you travel that were free 5 years ago
It's a brave new world in the travel space, with companies increasingly looking for ways to maximize revenue and minimize benefits for some customers. While elite status has gotten much harder to earn for most loyalty programs, it also often comes with fewer benefits or points or miles that are harder to use.
But it's not just those with elite perks. All of us are paying more ... and sometimes for less.
I recently stayed at the lovely Hyatt Place San Francisco / Downtown, where I was shocked to learn that the property is now charging for breakfast (except when it's waived for those with elite status). It turns out that Hyatt is piloting a new policy that does not include breakfast at 40 Hyatt Place hotels.
Thanks to my top-tier status, breakfast did not cost extra for me, but it got me thinking of all the things that were free in the travel space as recently as five years ago that you now have to pay for.
Resort, destination and city fees
Like a plague, resort fees (aka destination, amenity or city fees) have spread across the country and even around the world. Once restricted to true resorts that included extras like loaner beach chairs and activities, these fees are now prevalent at even the humblest of properties.
Related: Here are ways to avoid paying resort fees
Unfortunately, most of the things properties advertise as benefits of the resort fee are perks that were once free, like Wi-Fi access, local calls and use of the gym.
At TPG, we've seen resort fees as high as $150 a night! It's outrageous and very frustrating. The only good news about these fees is that new rules require that they be disclosed during the booking process. New rules on "junk fees" announced during the Biden administration went into effect in May, so at least there is more transparency on the books now.
Breakfast
No free breakfast at Hyatt Place properties would be a major disappointment, but even with this possible change, Hyatt remains the most generous hotel chain when it comes to free breakfast for elite members. Hyatt guarantees free breakfast for its top-tier elite members.
Marriott offers free breakfast at some of its chains, like SpringHill Suites and Residence Inn, but at most brands, you'll pay for breakfast. Marriott Bonvoy elite members (those with Platinum Elite status and above) used to get free breakfast, too, but that's been whittled away over the years, with guests at other chains now having to choose the benefit instead of getting welcome points or other amenities.
Hilton has changed its breakfast benefits for elite members as well. While it still offers free breakfast at chains like Hampton by Hilton, Hilton has moved to a food-and-beverage credit model that gives you anywhere from $10 to $25 per guest, depending on the hotel brand. Some of my colleagues at TPG actually prefer this over free breakfast, but I find it never quite covers breakfast during my stays.
In any case, if the Hyatt Place test is successful (from a revenue management perspective, at least), I'd expect you'll see more entry-level chains ditching their free breakfast benefit.
Seat assignments
More and more airlines are now charging for seat assignments ... even in business class.
Charges for seat assignments are common in coach cabins, but airlines are getting more and more creative at segmenting their cabins. Look no further than Delta Air Lines, which just unveiled a new fare structure that divides up each of its cabins into miniature tiers with various perks.
There is speculation that Delta is also considering charging for seat assignments in Delta One, like its partners Air France and KLM already do.
Related: A terrible business-class trend is spreading in Europe. Let's hope it doesn't come to the US
British Airways has been the leader on this front. It debuted charging for seat assignments in the business-class cabin in 2009. Lufthansa, Swiss and a few other European carriers also charge for some business-class seat assignments.
There's no telling how high these charges could eventually get, but I'd put money on it happening, especially as United Airlines, Delta and American Airlines are all rolling out fancy new suite products.
Related: How much should you pay for a first-class upgrade?
Parking
Free parking has never been a thing at many high-end resorts, but it used to be a benefit of staying at casino hotels in Las Vegas. That came to an end in 2016 when many of the biggest hotels and resorts started charging for parking. Wynn and Encore eliminated parking fees in 2019 but brought them back in 2023. Spending $20 a day for self-parking and $40 a day for valet parking can really add up.
Related: How to avoid paying parking fees in Las Vegas
Parking charges are even showing up in other destinations you might not expect. For example, the Aloft Nashville West End charges $10 per day for self-parking and a whopping $44 per day for valet parking. Similarly, the SpringHill Suites in Bozeman, Montana — a regular hotel right next to a highway and not in a busy area — charges $12 per day for self-parking. A reader also recently pointed out that parking at the Courtyard Portland Downtown/Convention Center used to be free but is now $43 per night (for valet).
Lest you think it's only Marriott properties, at the Millennium Hilton New York One U.N. Plaza in Manhattan, valet parking is $100 per night!
Like resort fees, these charges seem like another way to nickel-and-dime travelers.
Lounge access and perks
I was surprised to learn that a lounge I called one of the best Priority Pass lounges in the country charged for showers. The Club at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is fantastic, but if you want to use one of its showers, it will now cost you $25.
While this trend isn't yet widespread, you can bet that it will eventually show up at other lounges.
Priority Pass has some 1,700 lounges in 145 countries, and entry to one of its lounges generally requires showing your boarding pass and Priority Pass card to a staff member. Now we are seeing a new trend: Some more popular lounges are charging a fee to preregister your visit. The Club SFO is one of them, charging $9 for a reserved spot.
This is the system at more than 100 lounges, but in London, it's especially bad, as few people who don't reserve a spot are allowed in lately.
Related: Is a Priority Pass lounge membership actually worth it?
Some lounges also charge to use their nap rooms. I've paid to spend a few hours sleeping in KLM's flagship Crown Lounge in Amsterdam several times over the years. You'll pay about 40 euros ($45) for two hours of sleeping time in one of the lounge's roomettes.
Of course, the major changes are the new entry restrictions for some of the major airline- and credit card-affiliated lounges. Many lounges no longer allow free guests at all or severely limit the number of guests.
Those with Delta or select American Express cards, for example, used to have unlimited access to Delta Sky Clubs but are now limited to 10 to 15 visits per year (unless they make $75,000 in purchases with their cards). You also have to pay for guests under most circumstances.
Related: Delta's new Sky Club access restrictions are now in effect: What to know about the changes
Bottom line
Many things that used to be free in the travel world are slowly going away. It frustrates me to see consumers getting hit with more and more fees and "enhancements."
But TPG contributor Ross Binkley reminded me that it's not all bad news. Most major U.S. airlines no longer charge for changes and cancellations, and elite status still unlocks many of the formerly free benefits mentioned above.
I'll take good news where I can find it. Still, fees for just about everything (including concert tickets and purchases made with a credit card) are cropping up all over the place, and I expect it's only going to get worse from here.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.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.
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.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.