Are you planning a trip to Las Vegas? If so, you may have heard about the infamous resort fees that many hotels in the city charge.
These fees can be a significant additional expense on top of your room rate, and many travelers wonder if they are legally required to pay them. In this article, we will explore the legality of resort fees in Las Vegas and what you can do to avoid them.
What Are Resort Fees?
Resort fees are additional charges that hotels in Las Vegas (and other destinations) add to your bill. They are intended to cover the cost of amenities and services that guests may use during their stay, such as Wi-Fi access, pool towels, fitness center access, and more. These fees are often added on top of your room rate and can range from a few dollars per night to over $50 per night.
The Legality of Resort Fees
The legality of resort fees is a hotly debated topic among travelers and consumer advocates. While some argue that these fees are necessary to cover the cost of amenities and services, others believe that they are simply a way for hotels to increase their profits without raising room rates.
So, are resort fees legal? The short answer is yes – as long as they are disclosed upfront.
In 2017, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued guidelines requiring hotels to disclose all mandatory fees (including resort fees) upfront when advertising their rates. This means that hotels must include these fees in the advertised price rather than adding them on later.
However, some hotels still try to hide their resort fees by burying them deep in the fine print or only disclosing them at check-in. If this happens to you, you may have grounds for a complaint or even a lawsuit.
How to Avoid Resort Fees
If you want to avoid paying resort fees in Las Vegas (and who doesn’t?), there are a few strategies you can try:
- Look for hotels that don’t charge resort fees. While these are becoming increasingly rare in Las Vegas, they do exist.
- Book your room using reward points or a hotel loyalty program.
Some loyalty programs waive resort fees for members.
- Negotiate with the hotel. If you’re booking directly with the hotel rather than through a third-party site, you may be able to negotiate the resort fee or get it waived altogether.
The Bottom Line
While resort fees are legal in Las Vegas, they must be disclosed upfront. If you want to avoid paying these fees, do your research before booking your stay and be prepared to negotiate with the hotel. With a little effort, you can save yourself some money and enjoy your trip to Las Vegas without any surprises on your bill.