Can You Decline a Resort Fee?

By Michael Ferguson

Are you tired of paying resort fees when booking hotel rooms? You’re not alone.

Many people wonder whether it’s possible to decline a resort fee. The answer is yes, but it’s not as straightforward as you might think.

First, let’s define what a resort fee is. A resort fee is an additional charge that hotels add to your bill to cover amenities such as Wi-Fi, pool access, fitness center use, and other services. This fee can range from a few dollars to over $50 per night.

Now that we know what a resort fee is let’s talk about whether you can decline it. The short answer is no – you cannot decline the resort fee. When you book a hotel room, the resort fee is part of the total cost of your stay.

However, there are some ways to avoid paying the full amount of the resort fee or even have it waived entirely.

One way to avoid paying the full amount of the resort fee is by using loyalty points or rewards programs. Many hotels offer loyalty programs that allow members to redeem points for discounts on their stay or even waive the resort fee entirely.

Another way to avoid paying the full amount of the resort fee is by negotiating with the hotel staff directly. If you have a strong case for why you shouldn’t have to pay a particular charge like if you don’t plan on using any amenities covered by it and haven’t been made aware of its existence before booking your stay then speaking with someone at reception could help get this resolved.

If all else fails, try booking your stay at hotels that don’t charge a resort fee or staying at alternative lodging options like hostels and Airbnb rentals.

In conclusion, while you cannot decline a resort fee, there are still ways to avoid paying the full amount or having it waived entirely. By utilizing rewards programs or negotiating with hotel staff directly and choosing alternative lodging options that don’t impose these fees in general – such as hostels and Airbnb rentals – you can save money on your next hotel stay.