Senate Bill to End Resort Fees

I read where Senator Claire McCaskill has introduced a bill that would effectively eliminate the dreaded Resort Fee. Not sure whether or not it will get any traction.

USA Today Article
Congressional Website

BTW I love the first sentence of the last paragraph of the article!

Quote: USA Today

The [American Hotel & Lodging] Association also says that mandatory resort fees are declining and have been historically low since 2004.

Wow. Just wow.

The thing is, I don't think I even knew the term "Resort Fee" in 2004.

Looking into it, it seems the bill is gonna die in committee

They'd just take the fee and add it to the room cost anyway. Doesn't make one iota of a difference.

duplicate

Quote: Ibeatyouraces

They'd just take the fee and add it to the room cost anyway. Doesn't make one iota of a difference.

True, but as has been pointed out here before, I think at least a portion of the resort fee craze in Vegas is getting something on the hotel side from a comped room. That said, I would prefer to pay for my room up front before I get there and not have $200 added on for my week long trip at the end of vacation. I have no problem with paying for a checked bag, but I would like that included in the cost of an airline ticket and not have to pay additional for a checked bag, for food on the plane etc.

Quote: Ibeatyouraces

They'd just take the fee and add it to the room cost anyway. Doesn't make one iota of a difference.

That's a huge difference. Why do you think they add/hide the "resort fee" on the bill instead of just adding it to the room cost? It's so they can get their "room rates" as low as possible for all of the online search engines and people who sort by price.

It's kind of like people on ebay who sell a diamond for $1, but then charge $1,000,000 for shipping.

This would force them to be upfront about their charges/rates instead of trying to outwardly lie with "ONLY $9 PER NIGHT ....plus $100 in resort fees."

One thing that pisses me off more than anything as a customer is being nickel and dimed. If something costs me $250 bill me $250. Don't bill me $150 then $25, then $40 then $15, then $20.

Another similar such scam.... "We will send you a FREE bottle of supermegaultravita pills....., just pay postage and handling.... $12 per bottle....."

Some places won't cover the resort fee under a comp, that's annoying, especially if you spend five nights. Basically i'm spending $20 a day for crappie internet.

Quote: AxelWolf

Some places won't cover the resort fee under a comp, that's annoying, especially if you spend five nights. Basically i'm spending $20 a day for crappie internet.

This is what boggles my mind... It's a "comp"... that's short for COMPLIMENTARY. How on Earth are you going to give me a COMPLIMENTARY stay/room and then charge me $100 at the end of your hypothetical 5 night stay?

Everything now days is about boning the customer. Bean counters figured out "hey, if we double our prices, we'll lose 35% of our customers, but the remaining paying the higher amount will make us more money!" They have ZERO vision for brand or the future as what they're doing to make their quarterly profits is piss off their customer base.

If I had the money to compete, I'd put TWC, Resort Fee's, and Airlines out of business. How? By running commercials that say "Are you tired of (insert all the stuff we're talking about? Well, here's how our company works... We have one set price. That includes everything, including tax, and you'll never pay another penny past what we mark it at. We also value our customers, so we're not going to jack our prices up knowingly losing some of you but making an extra 10% in profits. We want all of our customers to be happy. Shop/Fly/Stay with us and we won't screw you around."

I feel like that's literally all you need as this is what the vast majority of the public is craving... but companies see the opportunity to make $105 million instead of $100 million and they want to impress share holders so they fist the customer to get that extra $5 million.

Quote: Romes

This is what boggles my mind... It's a "comp"... that's short for COMPLIMENTARY. How on Earth are you going to give me a COMPLIMENTARY stay/room and then charge me $100 at the end of your hypothetical 5 night stay?

Everything now days is about boning the customer. Bean counters figured out "hey, if we double our prices, we'll lose 35% of our customers, but the remaining paying the higher amount will make us more money!" They have ZERO vision for brand or the future as what they're doing to make their quarterly profits is piss off their customer base.

If I had the money to compete, I'd put TWC, Resort Fee's, and Airlines out of business. How? By running commercials that say "Are you tired of (insert all the stuff we're talking about? Well, here's how our company works... We have one set price. That includes everything, including tax, and you'll never pay another penny past what we mark it at. We also value our customers, so we're not going to jack our prices up knowingly losing some of you but making an extra 10% in profits. We want all of our customers to be happy. Shop/Fly/Stay with us and we won't screw you around.

I feel like that's literally all you need as this is what the vast majority of the public is craving... but companies see the opportunity to make $105 million instead of $100 million and they want to impress share holders so they fist the customer to get that extra $5 million.

I read your post, almost sounded like sumtin' Trump might have written. I hope you don't find that offensive, it wasn't intended to be. I like the idea of someone saying what needs to be said, damn the torpedoes full speed ahead. Seems there's some others that like that sound as well. Hold onto your hats boys and girls, this is about to get fun! I hope we don't all die in the process, but let the process begin......

Quote: Romes

I'd put TWC, Resort Fee's, and Airlines out of business.

At first, I was wondering how you were going to put The Weather Channel out of business, but then I googled it and realized you were talking about Time Warner. :) We have Comcast here, but I'm sure they are just as bad.

This was probably 15 years ago, but I had to go into one of Comcast's storefronts to return a box. All their representatives were behind bullet-proof glass!

So, let me get this straight, Comcast... you figured out that you were treating your customers so poorly, that they wanted to literally kill you. And instead of treating them better, your solution was to install bullet-proof glass in your storefronts? Nice.

Quote: Gabes22

Looking into it, it seems the bill is gonna die in committee

Gabes, out of curiosity, where did you find that info?

Romes, I disagree with you and prefer the fees being unbundled if they are optional. Specifically the way the airlines are now is great for me. I rarely check a bag, I rarely board early, I rarely care whether I am sitting up front or in the back. If I can save money by making those choices I prefer that model.

The hotels are different because the fees are not optional.

BTW, Southwest airlines advertises exactly like what you said. Sadly, the other airlines don't seem to be feeling the pressure from the consumers.

Quote: DRich

Romes, I disagree with you and prefer the fees being unbundled if they are optional. Specifically the way the airlines are now is great for me. I rarely check a bag, I rarely board early, I rarely care whether I am sitting up front or in the back. If I can save money by making those choices I prefer that model.

The hotels are different because the fees are not optional.

BTW, Southwest airlines advertises exactly like what you said. Sadly, the other airlines don't seem to be feeling the pressure from the consumers.

exactly. Thats one thing I love about Spirit. I will take my $23 flight and carry a small ass bag and sit in the back. Other can pay all the fees in order to make my flight so cheap.

Quote: TwoFeathersATL

I read your post, almost sounded like sumtin' Trump might have written...

I feel gross now... lol. Not to turn this political, I'm NOT a trump fan. So I'd like to think it's something he wouldn't say =P.

Quote: DRich

Romes, I disagree with you and prefer the fees being unbundled if they are optional. Specifically the way the airlines are now is great for me. I rarely check a bag, I rarely board early, I rarely care whether I am sitting up front or in the back. If I can save money by making those choices I prefer that model.

The hotels are different because the fees are not optional.

BTW, Southwest airlines advertises exactly like what you said. Sadly, the other airlines don't seem to be feeling the pressure from the consumers.

We're agreeing in different ways. The fee's used to not be optional with airlines... like the resort fee's.

Same thing with dinners. When I go out to dine, the menu price of something I want to eat is 19.99. When I get by bill, why is it now $23ish? Because the taxes, fee's, gratuity included when in parties, etc. Why not just put $23 on your menu and when I order that I'm EXPECTING to see a receipt with $23, and that's what I get? Why? I'll tell you... Because ad agencies did studies and found that people are stupid. They'll automatically look at the cheapest option. If I did that you might think my restaurant was "expensive" where as you will pay the same or more in another restaurant where they mark their menus at 19.99, then charge the other stuff later. It's all this 'beating around the bush' that is an absolutely waste of time, energy, and corporate dollars in trying to figure out the best way to TRICK people's psychology. It's shady, and I wish businesses would just be more upfront about shit instead of worrying about psychologically triggering someone to see $23 (the real cost of the meal) instead of $19.99.

The resort fee's are a bit easier to pick on, because those are still sometimes "unexpected" and they're just a shady way for the casino to falsely advertise the cost of a room with them. Like I mentioned prior they have their room rates at $9.99 per night, but after fee's/etc it's more like $39.99/night... but online they can get away with saying $9.99 per night so they show up in everyone's search as the cheapest rate... "Buuuuuuut the room IS cheap! We're telling you how much the ROOM costs, not your 'stay' with us!" ...Motherf*ckers tell me how much it costs to stay there for one night... that's what I want to know.

Again, same as the ebay example of saying I'll sell you a copy of Beyond Counting for $1.... with shipping & handling costing $2,999. They're more/less not fooling anyone anymore as we EXPECT companies to be shady like this now, and the few they do fool get really pissed off and hate them for it when they find out about this other charge. Awesome for creating loyal customers and branding yourself! Why do you think TWC (and Comcast) are two of the most HATED companies in America? Why do you think they have an agreement NOT to compete with each other and drive prices down?

Oh come on! It's hard to beat those free unlimited local calls. Well worth the $30 resort fee.

I didn't find it anywhere. Just judging by the logistics of it. The bill doesn't have a co-sponsor, it's been up for debate for over a month and no action has been taken on it whatsoever. Plus keep in mind we are about 2 months from Congress taking the next 6 months off for campaigning. It all adds up to the fact to me at least, that there is going to be no action taken on this bill

Quote: DRich

Romes, I disagree with you and prefer the fees being unbundled if they are optional. Specifically the way the airlines are now is great for me. I rarely check a bag, I rarely board early, I rarely care whether I am sitting up front or in the back. If I can save money by making those choices I prefer that model.

The hotels are different because the fees are not optional.

BTW, Southwest airlines advertises exactly like what you said. Sadly, the other airlines don't seem to be feeling the pressure from the consumers.

Yeah, but with the Southwest model come with other trade-offs like unassigned seating. When I fly I typically am doing so on vacation. I have never flown without checking a bag. I also think since you have to arrive to the airport 2 hours ahead of your flight, they should be forced to feed you on any flight 2.5 hours or longer gate to gate. I absolutely detest turning one transaction into 5 or 6, especially when all those transactions used to be part of what it cost to purchase the ticket

Quote: AxelWolf

Some places won't cover the resort fee under a comp, that's annoying, especially if you spend five nights. Basically i'm spending $20 a day for crappie internet.

I'd be interested to know what properties do this (charge you). I know MGM does. Venetian can go both ways. Caesars I believe does if you are not Diamond or higher. Hard Rock doesn't. Boyd Properties don't.

Quote: teddys

I'd be interested to know what properties do this (charge you). I know MGM does. Venetian can go both ways. Caesars I believe does if you are not Diamond or higher. Hard Rock doesn't. Boyd Properties don't.

CET did for a while if you only have diamond or below, they could have changed I dunno

MGM charges the resort fee even if you are comped sometimes. It depends on your offers.

Boyd never charges for comps

Hard Rock I've never stayed

Quote: djatc

CET did for a while if you only have diamond or below, they could have changed I dunno

MGM charges the resort fee even if you are comped sometimes. It depends on your offers.

Boyd never charges for comps

Hard Rock I've never stayed

CET has it in their table of tier benefits that diamond and 7stars are never charged resort fees. They should tell their computer, but I've been 100% successful in getting it fixed at the front desk.

The D did not charge a resort fee last year.

Cosmo charges one on comps, currently $30/night, up from $28/night last year.

From my experience CET does unless Diamond or higher, Cosmo does, Wynn doesn't, Venetian I have both been charged and not charged, Golden Nugget and Diwntown Grand both don't. I can't say for MGM as I've never been comped at their properties.

Quote: Romes

If I had the money to compete, I'd put TWC, Resort Fee's, and Airlines out of business. How? By running commercials that say "Are you tired of (insert all the stuff we're talking about? Well, here's how our company works... We have one set price. That includes everything, including tax, and you'll never pay another penny past what we mark it at. We also value our customers, so we're not going to jack our prices up knowingly losing some of you but making an extra 10% in profits. We want all of our customers to be happy. Shop/Fly/Stay with us and we won't screw you around."

It's called Southwest, the only airline with no change fees and no baggage fees (for your first 100 pounds of luggage) and no first class seats.

Just got an offer from the Aria for up to four nights. Way out of my level of play. We wanted to go during the time of the offer, so I booked it. The one thing that is different from our previous visits is that they did mention resort fees being charged on this reservation. Still way cheaper than full price and my wife loves the place, so we'll do it...we'll see if they actually charge it or not.

El Cortez does NOT charge resort fees on a comp. I know you were all DYING for that information :P

MGM Resorts are schizophrenic with the resort fees.

I've had comped stays where they charged a resort fee, then I've had discounted offers where the resort fees somehow got waived.

I'll be at NYNY the week of Memorial Day. I got one night comped, and the other four nights at $29 a night. She said my offer wouldn't charge resort fees. Grand total for five nights came to like $129.

I'm betting when I try to check out, those resort fees will show up on my bill. But I will raise hell and they'll take them off (they always do if you complain enough).

Quote: PokerGrinder

From my experience CET does unless Diamond or higher, Cosmo does, Wynn doesn't, Venetian I have both been charged and not charged, Golden Nugget and Diwntown Grand both don't. I can't say for MGM as I've never been comped at their properties.

I think it depends on the location at CET when you are diamond or higher.

I couldn't possibly remember what casinos do or don't charge extortion fees when using comps.

The fact is... I'm going to stay and I'm going to pay if I'm on "business".

When and how it really affects me is when we are offered a nice suite for a few nights in Vegas. We can choose to take a minni staycation and pay a bunch of resort fees or just stay home. If you start factoring in 2:00 am gift shop snacks, tips, packing, parking, forced to get up at a certain time to check out. Oftentimes we just say F it, it's easier just to stay home.

We have done it so many times it's no longer a big treat for us. We know something always comes up where we get to go on a "vacation" anyways.

If its full RFB and zero resort fees then great we are in.

I do like going to Tahoe, that's always a vacation, the views are great and it's relaxing business or not.

Quote: AxelWolf

The fact is... I'm going to stay and I'm going to pay if I'm on "business".

If I was you I would consider all casino visits as business trips and write off the expenses.

Quote: DRich

If I was you I would consider all casino visits as business trips and write off the expenses.

Even if I don't plan on playing? What just include it as scouting?

Quote: AxelWolf

Even if I don't plan on playing? What just include it as scouting?

Yes, you are a professional gambler. You are working every time you are in a casino. You would have no problem writing that off as a valid business expense.

Calls for an Article:

https://wizardofvegas.com/articles/the-end-of-resort-fees/

Quote: DRich

Yes, you are a professional gambler. You are working every time you are in a casino. You would have no problem writing that off as a valid business expense.

Agreed, I would write this off if I were a professional gambler.

Quote: DRich

Romes, I disagree with you and prefer the fees being unbundled if they are optional. Specifically the way the airlines are now is great for me. I rarely check a bag, I rarely board early, I rarely care whether I am sitting up front or in the back. If I can save money by making those choices I prefer that model.

The hotels are different because the fees are not optional.

BTW, Southwest airlines advertises exactly like what you said. Sadly, the other airlines don't seem to be feeling the pressure from the consumers.

drich, I don't think it's an issue of people not liking things un-bundled. It's seems more like TELL ME up front that you're charging extra fees for things.

I just saw an extra charge on my card from a cheap holiday inn for shampoo. Called and they had no answer but did credit back my account.

Hotels dot com is now a huge player in the hotel business
Most Vegas properties sell rooms through the site
I would like the website to include the resort in the price.
The site only tells you after clicking on the hotel as a small notation
Too me they have every incentive because it would be a function helping the consumer and make the site more popular
Reminds me of ebay in their early years
Some sellers snuck in a high shipping charge unknown till you clicked on the item
Now ebay gives the option of including shipping charge in the price listing so you can compare real prices instantly
I would like Hotels dot com to do the same.
Vegas properties might freak when properties are listed by true price and their listings are at the bottom due to the true higher price.

Want worse....... Rocket miles which is pushed by the airlines charges you an all in price on your credit card in advance, then adds like 30-90 dollars that you have to pay in cash at any hotel WTF??????

Getting the full price up front would be great for consumers that are really paying attention to the total price. Unfortunately, there are plenty of people out there that just look for the lowest advertised price and ignore add-ons until they get billed at the end. If somebody decided to disclose the full price up front a few savvy customers would take notice, but the business would likely lose customers because they didn't want to pay the more "expensive" rates, even if it meant ultimately saving money.

Speaking of which - here is another scam so to speak
Stub hub use to list the all in price for their tickets... Seat geek never did - choosing to add fees at the end. This stub hub decided to follow suit since on google searches stub hubs prices were looking like they were higher- it's just so deceptive

Quote: Wizardofnothing

Speaking of which - here is another scam so to speak
Stub hub use to list the all in price for their tickets... Seat geek never did - choosing to add fees at the end. This stub hub decided to follow suit since on google searches stub hubs prices were looking like they were higher- it's just so deceptive

Stores do stuff like that all the time. MicroCenter shows 150.00 for graphic card in big letters on the actual price sticker on the shelf and box, but in small print there's instant saving price PLUS mail in rebate, but if you're just thinking through other things, you'll get to the register and it'll ring up 175.00 and you're like WHaat? Just put the stinking total price expected at the register and I'll worry about the rebate later. I hate when they do that.

I guess the resorts are just eager to suck you in and commit you to cost before you realize the full deal. It is very deceiving.

Quote: Wizardofnothing

Speaking of which - here is another scam so to speak
Stub hub use to list the all in price for their tickets... Seat geek never did - choosing to add fees at the end. This stub hub decided to follow suit since on google searches stub hubs prices were looking like they were higher- it's just so deceptive

Stub Hub reversed course. They used to hide fees. Then didn't. And they now hide fees again. I liked the prices including the fees. The fee prices went DOWN for the tickets I bought in that time period.