Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure an...
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...
& Kellie Jez
Kellie’s professional experience has led her to a deep passion for compliance, data reporting, and process improvement. Kellie’s learned the ins and outs of the points and miles world and leads UP’s c...
10 comments
Kaz
October 12, 2020
“Hyatt and Hilton always waive resort fees when you book a room with points.”
Not sure about Hilton but definitely not always true with Hyatt.
Jarrod West
October 12, 2020
Hi Kaz,
What Hyatt hotel charged you resort fees on an award stay?
Lila
October 15, 2020
Same here – I got charged a Resort fee from a Hyatt hotel during a recent stay booked with an award night.
Katie Seemann
October 16, 2020
Hi Lila,
Except in very rare circumstances, like a stay at a Hyatt Residence Club, you should not be charged a resort fee when you book an award night. Occasionally a hotel can charge a separate “service fee” in addition to a resort fee, but again, this is rare. It also could have simply been a mistake so I would recommend contacting the hotel for an adjustment. According to Hyatt:
“Resort, destination, or facility fees, where charged by the applicable hotel or resort, will be waived for Members redeeming a Free Night Award. This benefit is not valid at any Hyatt Residence Club resort. This benefit applies only to nights for which the Member has redeemed a Free Night Award. This benefit does not apply to any Room Upgrade Award, Points + Cash Award, or any non-stay award (e.g., a Dining, Spa and More Award or a Future Meeting Credit (defined in Appendix D)). In some instances, a hotel or resort may charge other fees (such as a “service fee”) that are independent of any resort, destination, or facility fee charged by that hotel or resort. Any such fees will not be waived for Members pursuant to this benefit.”
AC in Charlotte
March 21, 2021
One thing to add for anyone that gambles a lot and has status with casino programs – if you are Caesars Diamond level or above you don’t pay resort fees (which can be $50 a night in Las Vegas). To my knowledge, Caesars is the only program that has a resort fee waiver for higher-level elites. MLife (MGM) doesn’t waive them even for Noir members but you can always contact a host to have them taken off based upon how much action you give the casino on that stay.
Personally, I like Caesar’s policy a lot better since it is automatic and a key reason I ensure I retain at least Diamond Plus level every year (this is a level that also provides free access to all the Laurel Lounges since that isn’t available to people at just the Diamond level).
Jarrod West
March 22, 2021
Great point, AC! Thanks for adding that!
Matthew
August 29, 2021
If something goes wrong during my stay–however insignificant it may be–I make a point of mentioning it upon checkout, regardless of whether or not it has since been fixed. If a shuttle bus is ten minutes late or a bathroom light flickers, I point it out so those in charge can be made aware. Oftentimes, this will also result in the resort fee being waived for the night(s) in question. It seems that the clerks are given a considerable degree of discretion on this at most properties.
Gangapersad Rambarath
February 17, 2022
Just completed a 2 day stay at the Wyndham in Orlando which I booked and paid in full using points. When I got to to the hotel they used my credit card for a $80 hold. When I left I asked if the $80 charge would be reversed and was assured that it would. This morning I checked my credit card and there was a $53 charge on my card. When I called I was advised that it was a resort fee which was never disclosed. Needless to say I will never stay at a Wyndham Hotel again.
Katie Seemann
February 17, 2022
Hi Gangapersad,
Usually, the resort fee is only disclosed on the website’s booking page so it’s easy to miss. I would double-check the hotel’s website to see if it’s there and if it’s not, I would contact the hotel again and ask for the fee to be refunded.
chris whitworth
January 26, 2023
Not Really Happy Hilton at Waikiki charges $160 for a resort fee for a 4 day stop over we weren’t informed till it was too late, there is no resort there in that hotel so its just another rip off considering the prices of the rooms per night, wont be visiting Hawaii again, as apparently All the hotels there Charge this invisible fee, Resort or no resort its a rip off,
when did this start because its a joke
Any thoughts or questions? Comment below!
Email needed if you'd like comment updates. It will NOT be published.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.