Hidden fees and surcharges still a factor

I know, this comes as no surprise to you, but according to this article, hidden fees and surcharges are still de rigueur in the hospitality industry, despite the multi-million dollar settlement Wyndham reached with the state of Florida over a 2001 lawsuit. I guess what they rake in makes it worth the fines—according to the article:

In recent years, hotels and resorts have taken a profitable lesson from the banking industry. According to PriceWaterHouseCooper’s Hospitality Division, surcharges and hidden fees have produced revenues of US$1.6 billion in 2006. This was a 7 percent increase over the previous year. Four years ago, the industry generated US$550 million in surcharges and fees. This means revenue have almost tripled since 2003. It has been estimated that a 7 percent increase for 2007 could bring in nearly US$2 billion in hidden fees and surcharges.

Why don't they just disclose these fees ahead of time, as the Wyndham judgment requires?

In 2005, the company began listing total price at booking. Ultimately, however, InterContinental Hotels had to change its policy after it found that disclosing the total price resulted a high abandonment rate.

Meeting planners get even more outraged by all this than your average transient traveler, because they are the ones who have to deal with hundreds of attendees' disgruntlement. The only solution I see is to ask, and ask, and ask again, if there are any other fees or surcharges, and to get it in the contract that their organization and/or attendees do not have to pay any charge that's not specifically mentioned in the contract. Among the things to ask about, according to the article:

Here are some of the surcharges and fees you may be faced with at check out time:


early check in fee


early check out fee


shuttle service fee


baggage-holding fee


housekeeping fee


mini bar deposit


mini bar restocking fee


ice and bottled water charges


room service surcharge


room service delivery fee


bartender charge


meet/eat fees


room block fees


cancellation fees


guaranteed date fees (for groups)


in-room safe surcharge


room set/re-set charges


internet service


phone service


fax service


business center


fitness room


golf club transfer fee


resort amenity fees


pet fees


tourism promotion fees


energy surcharge