How to avoid hidden hotel fees

Few things are worse in travel than hotel fees. Maybe you booked a hotel for $199 per night, only to learn it charges an extra $50 per night in fees. Pricing transparency has improved thanks to the FTC cracking down on hidden junk fees, but it’s still possible to face both optional and compulsory hotel charges if you’re not careful. You can sidestep some of these hotel fees, but it’s important to arm yourself with the right information. Read on to learn what fees a hotel may charge, how to avoid hidden hotel fees, ways a rewards credit card can help, and more to keep your costs in check.

What are hidden hotel fees?

A hidden hotel fee is a charge that increases the cost of the stay beyond the advertised per-night rate. In some cases, the fee is mandatory, such as a resort or destination fee.

Other mandatory charges you may see are parking or Wi-Fi fees. These required charges apply to every guest and appear at some point during the booking process, increasing the cost of your stay. For example, if the hotel advertises $199 per night for a standard room but charges $40 in unavoidable fees, your charge will be $239 plus tax per night.

Not all hotel fees are mandatory; for example, those for minibar use or early check-in/late checkout are optional. If you use something that’s optional, you won’t see the charge until checkout.

Hidden doesn’t generally mean the hotel is acting illegally. The FTC recently required hotels to share the total price, including required fees, transparently. You may need to read the fine print to identify fees you will incur, though.

The most common hotel fees travelers encounter

It’s essential to pay attention to the daily fees charged during a stay. A $25 fee may seem inconsequential, but if it’s charged daily and you stay for three or four nights, that fee quickly adds up.

How to avoid hidden hotel fees before you book

Acting before you book is the best way to sidestep surprise hotel fees. You may have few options to avoid fees after booking.

Compare the total cost – not just the room rate

Your best bet for avoiding hidden hotel fees is to check the final amount per night. It’s not uncommon for hotels to have a lower price to appear higher in search results, only to have surprise fees that ratchet up the per-night cost.

This becomes more problematic when staying in a large downtown or tourist-centric location. You may be considering two hotels, each listing rooms starting at $249 per night. However, the two hotels vary greatly in fees. Hotel A charges a $50 nightly resort fee and $40 for parking, but Hotel B charges no additional fees. Opting for Hotel A means you’re paying an extra $90 per night, despite both listing the same base rate.

Read the fee policy before booking

It’s wise to review the hotel’s fee policy before booking. Hotels may label it differently, but look for terms like “rate details,” “policies,” or “fees.”

Common ones to expect are:

• Destination or resort fees
• Parking and valet fees
• Pet fees
• Internet access fees, including premium Wi-Fi
• Early check-in or late checkout

Don’t forget cancellation fees, either. If you catch a fee after booking, you might be able to switch hotels before the deadline and avoid the fee.

Book directly when it makes sense

Booking directly through a given chain is a good way to avoid fees. Some hotel loyalty programs waive resort fees, especially if you book with points. World of Hyatt and Hilton Honors are two examples. These programs may also waive other fees, depending on the location and your rewards level.

Review some of the best hotel credit cards that provide perks like fee elimination to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

Hotel fees you may be able to avoid

It’s difficult to avoid some hotel fees, but depending on your rewards status or location, you might be able to eliminate some fees. Doing so is essential, given that hotel rates have increased by 5% since 2025, per the New York Times.

Resort or destination fees

Destination fees are a bane to many travelers. This fee typically covers various things, including newspapers, beach towels, local calls, and gym access. Even if you don’t use any of these amenities, most hotels make them mandatory.

A $199-per-night room with a $40 resort fee gets more expensive. If you stay for four evenings, you’ll pay an extra $160, plus tax. The best way to avoid this fee is to select a property that doesn’t charge the fee.

Booking an award stay is one way to save. If that’s not possible, speak with the manager to see if they can waive the fee if you’ve not used any of the services.

Parking fees

Hotels often charge either a self-parking fee or a valet parking fee. Suburban hotels are generally less likely to charge a fee. If the property charges for parking, verify if valet is mandatory and if it includes in-and-out privileges.

If there’s no way to avoid the fee, research whether a cheaper alternative is available nearby. Apps like SpotHero are helpful resources for locating affordable parking options.

Wi-Fi charges

Basic Wi-Fi is generally free for loyalty club members. If you want premium Wi-Fi, you may have to pay for it.

Review the hotel’s terms before booking to learn what is included in the Wi-Fi service, how to avoid being charged, and whether it’s billed per room or per device.

Early check-in and late checkout fees

It’s not uncommon to pay for early check-in or late checkout. The fee can vary greatly, depending on the location.

If you need either, politely ask the front desk to waive it. Your loyalty status or availability may help save money.

Minibar and in-room purchases

Minibars are convenient, but there’s a cost to consider. Some minibars have sensors, so if you move something but don’t consume it, you may be charged.

It’s best to avoid using the minibar if you can. Make sure to review your folio upon checkout to catch any erroneous minibar purchases.

Pet fees

Some hotels label themselves as pet-friendly. Being friendly to pets doesn’t mean there’s no fee. You may face a deposit, cleaning fee, or nightly fee.

Review the hotel’s pet policies before booking to avoid surprise fees.

Hotel charges you usually can’t avoid

Hotel fees are a reality all travelers face. Unfortunately, some fees are unavoidable.

Incidental authorization holds

It’s common for hotels to place a hold on a credit card to cover potential charges. Amounts vary by hotel, but they’re generally between $50 and $100.

The charge isn’t permanent, but it temporarily reduces available credit, and you can expect it to return within a business day after leaving. Using a debit card can impact cash flow, so opt for credit when able.

Taxes and local tourism fees

Taxes are always a reality when booking a hotel. Some locations charge local tourism or entertainment taxes that are added to the bill.

The charge is legitimate, and there’s no way to waive the cost.

Use a credit card to reduce hotel costs

A credit card doesn’t necessarily eliminate all hotel fees, but a good travel rewards credit card can help reduce travel expenses. Ways to reduce travel spending with a rewards credit card include:

• Apply annual travel credits to stays
• Earn rewards on hotel stays
• Redeem points for travel
• Access perks like free Wi-Fi or room upgrades via loyalty programs
• Earn loyalty status via co-branded cards

It’s wise to pair your card with your travel needs and favorite hotel chain to reduce hotel fees.

What to do if you’re charged an unexpected hotel fee

Errors happen, and you may incur an unplanned hotel fee. Reviewing the final folio before leaving is vital to catch surprise fees. Other solutions include:

• Request an explanation at the hotel for all fees
• Escalate to the manager or customer service if the explanation is unsatisfactory
• Dispute the incorrect charge if there’s no resolution

Only dispute the charge if it’s not legitimate and the property won’t resolve it. It’s best to keep a record of all communications if you need to dispute a charge.

Tips from experienced travelers to avoid surprise hotel charges

Experienced travelers are a valuable resource for learning how to avoid hidden hotel fees. Common tips they provide include:

• Take screenshots of the advertised price and final booking amount
• Read reviews to identify if recent travelers mention surprise fees at a location
• Thoroughly review the final folio before leaving a hotel
• Join the hotel’s loyalty program before booking to access perks
• Call the property directly if you’re unsure about a fee

The bottom line on beating hidden hotel fees

Hidden hotel fees increase the cost of staying at a property. When comparing hotels, look at the total cost, not the nightly rate, as the latter can be misleading. Mandatory fees are difficult to avoid, but optional fees are easy to sidestep with proper planning. Using a travel credit card or joining a loyalty program can be a good way to access free perks and possibly reduce or eliminate some fees. Before booking, make sure you understand the true cost of the stay to evade any nasty surprises.

Frequently asked questions

Do you travel frequently and want to reduce hotel fees? These are common questions travelers have in seeking relief.