Read your hotel bill before you check out!
Have you ever noticed, that when you book a hotel room for a specified amount per night, that when you get your bill, it often appears much higher? If this has happened to you, your not alone.
Hotels are quick to quote you a room rate, but they overlook telling you about the added amount you will pay for taxes. You rarely are told about the added state taxes, city taxes, and or local room occupancy taxes. If you stay at a hotel near an airport, you might also be hit with an airport tax. Is it fare? No, but it is perfectly legal. You might even see an add on for amenities that you never asked for, and or never even used.
Don’t be surprised if your bill is twice as much as you expected. You might be billed for things in the room refrigerator that you never used, or snacks that you never ate. If your lucky, you might even see charges for adult films that you never ordered, or “in room movies” that you never rented. Most hotels will charge you for things that you take from the room, like towels, ash trays, bath robes etc… Watch your bill carefully. If you can help it, don’t even use the phone in the room to order take out food delivery, or to make any local or long distance calls. All too often, people use the phone in the room to make just one or two calls, only talk for a few short minutes, and then get charged $40 to $50 for phone usage charges. Hotels have contracts with private carriers that enable them to charge what ever amount they want for phone usage. Many hotels charge a fee up to $25 for each additional room key, and $5 to replace a lost or stolen key. To make sure that you get these added charges removed from your bill, bring your room keys to the check out desk, and get a receipt for the returned keys. Don’t ever just leave them on the desk in the room and leave.
Once you leave the hotel, it is harder to dispute the charges later. You want to avoid having it become your word only. If you need to, quietly and professionally ask for the manager. In most cases, they will usually try and help you to resolve your bill. Remember, that in the hospitality industry, they want your business, they want you to keep coming back, and they need you to refer others to their hotel.
If you do have any problems, please let us know by posting your complaint at the Consumer Poster Board at www.directcomplaint.com, or filling out a complaint in the Consumer Complaint Center. If you need help, you can call 877-969-3463
Happy travels.
Hotel rooms
~Do you ever wonder if hotels change the sheets from the person who stayed in the room before or after you?
How would you feel, pulling down the covers, climbing in, and oops, you find a sock down by your feet, or better yet, a big fat sticky stain, write in the middle of the bottom sheet. How would you feel?
How would you feel if once you checked out, the bed was made, but not changed, and along comes the next person, checking into your old room. Just think, they will un-knowingly get bombarded by your sweat, your drool, your germs, just think?
If the beds are changed every day, as promised, then conduct a test for yourself. Put a sock way under the covers, and see if it is still their later the same day, after the bed has been made. Just think?
