Comments on: A fee for drinking coffee in your room? What’ll they think of next! http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-fee-for-drinking-coffee-in-your-room-whatll-they-think-of-next/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bill http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-fee-for-drinking-coffee-in-your-room-whatll-they-think-of-next/comment-page-1/#comment-53780 Bill Mon, 22 Nov 2010 04:49:43 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6523#comment-53780 You know, I used to worry about every little thing. I wouldn't pay $40 for a breakfast in a hotel and I wouldn't accept a charge someone else made. But if they are going to charge for the coffee or something like that, you are not going to change the world. NO to compusory resort fees. Everything else, if they have a sign, a notice, or a price list...fine, if they surprise you...not fine. You know, I used to worry about every little thing. I wouldn’t pay $40 for a breakfast in a hotel and I wouldn’t accept a charge someone else made. But if they are going to charge for the coffee or something like that, you are not going to change the world.

NO to compusory resort fees. Everything else, if they have a sign, a notice, or a price list…fine, if they surprise you…not fine.

]]> By: FJP http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-fee-for-drinking-coffee-in-your-room-whatll-they-think-of-next/comment-page-1/#comment-39461 FJP Fri, 14 May 2010 03:13:23 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6523#comment-39461 Hmmm. . . just stayed at the Barclay last month and I am pretty sure I did not get charged for the in-room coffee. Did not book through an opaque site, though. Hmmm. . . just stayed at the Barclay last month and I am pretty sure I did not get charged for the in-room coffee. Did not book through an opaque site, though.

]]> By: Jennifer Hanuschak http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-fee-for-drinking-coffee-in-your-room-whatll-they-think-of-next/comment-page-1/#comment-24337 Jennifer Hanuschak Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:36:45 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6523#comment-24337 I agree with Katt. That $80 error looks like forgery and should have been prosecuted as such...or, at least, not treated like a billing error. I hope it was looked into properly. I agree with Katt. That $80 error looks like forgery and should have been prosecuted as such…or, at least, not treated like a billing error. I hope it was looked into properly.

]]> By: Brian http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-fee-for-drinking-coffee-in-your-room-whatll-they-think-of-next/comment-page-1/#comment-19971 Brian Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:50:05 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6523#comment-19971 I stayed in a hotel in Big Bear Lake, California and when I checked out, I got a fee for an extra guest which was $ 20. The hotel claimed that I had brought a third guest into the room which I disputed immediately because there was none. As soon as I did, the hotel clerk removed the charge. I am betting that the hotels are going the way of the car rental business by quietly adding fees and hoping the customer doesn't notice it. My advice to all travelers; keep your guard up at all times when reviewing your bill, even when you go to a beach resort. I stayed in a hotel in Big Bear Lake, California and when I checked out, I got a fee for an extra guest which was $ 20. The hotel claimed that I had brought a third guest into the room which I disputed immediately because there was none. As soon as I did, the hotel clerk removed the charge. I am betting that the hotels are going the way of the car rental business by quietly adding fees and hoping the customer doesn’t notice it. My advice to all travelers; keep your guard up at all times when reviewing your bill, even when you go to a beach resort.

]]> By: Denise http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-fee-for-drinking-coffee-in-your-room-whatll-they-think-of-next/comment-page-1/#comment-19968 Denise Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:11:54 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6523#comment-19968 Be careful with the notion of moving the snack bar goodies around in your room, as Ames suggests: Some hotels have sensors on the basket or shelf where the stuff is stored (not to mention the door and shelves of the mini-fridge). If you move the goods your room is automatically charged for the items. Presumably this is to prevent you from eating their conveniently-located $2 bag of M&Ms when you get the late-night munchies and then stopping by the grocery store to replace it with a $0.45 bag so you don't get charged the two bucks. Same with the Naive -- oops, that's Evian -- in the fridge! Better to keep a stash of your favorite munchies in your dresser (a cheapo styrofoam cooler is great for drinks, since they don't charge for using the ice machine yet) and just ignore the hotel's stuff. Be careful with the notion of moving the snack bar goodies around in your room, as Ames suggests: Some hotels have sensors on the basket or shelf where the stuff is stored (not to mention the door and shelves of the mini-fridge). If you move the goods your room is automatically charged for the items. Presumably this is to prevent you from eating their conveniently-located $2 bag of M&Ms when you get the late-night munchies and then stopping by the grocery store to replace it with a $0.45 bag so you don’t get charged the two bucks. Same with the Naive — oops, that’s Evian — in the fridge!

Better to keep a stash of your favorite munchies in your dresser (a cheapo styrofoam cooler is great for drinks, since they don’t charge for using the ice machine yet) and just ignore the hotel’s stuff.

]]> By: Kevin Stirtz http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-fee-for-drinking-coffee-in-your-room-whatll-they-think-of-next/comment-page-1/#comment-19763 Kevin Stirtz Wed, 27 May 2009 15:43:11 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6523#comment-19763 More great examples of companies abusing customers instead of serving them. If this is how they respond to a recession just imagine how they'll treat customers when the economy improves. More great examples of companies abusing customers instead of serving them. If this is how they respond to a recession just imagine how they’ll treat customers when the economy improves.

]]> By: Joe Farrell http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-fee-for-drinking-coffee-in-your-room-whatll-they-think-of-next/comment-page-1/#comment-19760 Joe Farrell Wed, 27 May 2009 14:52:20 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6523#comment-19760 @Ed - the high end hotels have little competition - you want a nice room and good service there are maybe 2 choices in a city, sometimes only 1. But at the Courtyard/Embassy Suites/Hampton inn end of the scale there will be many many choices anywhere in a local area and they tend to compete on basic amenities service like coffee and internet . . . @Ed – the high end hotels have little competition – you want a nice room and good service there are maybe 2 choices in a city, sometimes only 1. But at the Courtyard/Embassy Suites/Hampton inn end of the scale there will be many many choices anywhere in a local area and they tend to compete on basic amenities service like coffee and internet . . .

]]> By: Have You Been Charged For Drinking the Coffee In Your Hotel Room? - Hotels and Travel Reservations http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-fee-for-drinking-coffee-in-your-room-whatll-they-think-of-next/comment-page-1/#comment-19757 Have You Been Charged For Drinking the Coffee In Your Hotel Room? - Hotels and Travel Reservations Wed, 27 May 2009 14:31:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6523#comment-19757 [...] his blog, travel expert Chris Elliott heard from a disgruntled hotel guest who stayed at the Barclay InterContinental in NYC. She was disgruntled [...] [...] his blog, travel expert Chris Elliott heard from a disgruntled hotel guest who stayed at the Barclay InterContinental in NYC. She was disgruntled [...]

]]> By: Ed http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-fee-for-drinking-coffee-in-your-room-whatll-they-think-of-next/comment-page-1/#comment-19729 Ed Tue, 26 May 2009 19:11:08 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6523#comment-19729 Hmm, I just came back from a week at a Ramada at the beach and they gave us coffee everyday and didnt' charge us a cent for it! The room rate was good ($145/nt). In fact, I have *never* seen a hotel charge for coffee...including the two hotels I stayed at in Hong Kong last year! But here's the rub...I've noticed that the more upscale the hotel, the more nickle and diming you are subjected to...I find that the more affordable hotels are more inclusive! Ed Hmm, I just came back from a week at a Ramada at the beach and they gave us coffee everyday and didnt’ charge us a cent for it! The room rate was good ($145/nt). In fact, I have *never* seen a hotel charge for coffee…including the two hotels I stayed at in Hong Kong last year!
But here’s the rub…I’ve noticed that the more upscale the hotel, the more nickle and diming you are subjected to…I find that the more affordable hotels are more inclusive!
Ed

]]> By: William Rowell http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-fee-for-drinking-coffee-in-your-room-whatll-they-think-of-next/comment-page-1/#comment-19609 William Rowell Thu, 21 May 2009 06:03:41 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6523#comment-19609 My best is still the day the Sheraton at PHL charged me $2 to make a 1-800 phone call. Let me see....we call those "Toll Free" for some reason..... Then, when I complained, the manager stated "we're making the phone system charges so that we can pay for a new phone system"......uhhhh, right...... that was the last time I stayed at a Sheraton. For the last 9 years, every year; Platinum Holiday Inn Platinum Marriott Diamond Hilton Diamond Choice not a dime at Sheraton, priceless? My best is still the day the Sheraton at PHL charged me $2 to make a 1-800 phone call. Let me see….we call those “Toll Free” for some reason….. Then, when I complained, the manager stated “we’re making the phone system charges so that we can pay for a new phone system”……uhhhh, right…… that was the last time I stayed at a Sheraton.

For the last 9 years, every year;
Platinum Holiday Inn
Platinum Marriott
Diamond Hilton
Diamond Choice
not a dime at Sheraton, priceless?

]]> By: Ames http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-fee-for-drinking-coffee-in-your-room-whatll-they-think-of-next/comment-page-1/#comment-19598 Ames Wed, 20 May 2009 22:48:29 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6523#comment-19598 The bottles of water are another surprise - sometimes there is a tag on them sometimes it's just in the room service menu. Last hotel visit, it was $6 for a litre size Evian. And $1 for a local phone call. I used my cell phone, which surprised the front desk, to call to ask about the TV remote. I was not sure if an in hotel call was a local call so why risk it? I have put all the "for sale" items in a spot out of my way and left a note saying where they were so housekeeping would not replenish them and told the front desk what I was doing - the stuff is a nuissance! If I wanted to sleep in a store I would do that. The bottles of water are another surprise – sometimes there is a tag on them sometimes it’s just in the room service menu. Last hotel visit, it was $6 for a litre size Evian. And $1 for a local phone call. I used my cell phone, which surprised the front desk, to call to ask about the TV remote. I was not sure if an in hotel call was a local call so why risk it?

I have put all the “for sale” items in a spot out of my way and left a note saying where they were so housekeeping would not replenish them and told the front desk what I was doing – the stuff is a nuissance! If I wanted to sleep in a store I would do that.

]]> By: Judi http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-fee-for-drinking-coffee-in-your-room-whatll-they-think-of-next/comment-page-1/#comment-19595 Judi Wed, 20 May 2009 17:01:05 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6523#comment-19595 I actually had this happen a couple of years ago. My husband and I were staying at the Orleans in Las Vegas for a wedding. There was a coffee maker, cups, coffee, etc. in the room.The itty bitty sign above the coffee maker said $5 if used. I didn't use it- why would I when all you need to do is sit in front of a slot machine and someone would bring you free coffee? I disputed that at check out and got it removed. The next time we stayed there was now a $5/ day "resort" fee added. This turned out to be a good deal becuase it included the coffee, access to the business center (which I needed) and unlimited access to their spa which usually charged a fee in previous encounters (much more than the $5 resort fee). I actually had this happen a couple of years ago. My husband and I were staying at the Orleans in Las Vegas for a wedding. There was a coffee maker, cups, coffee, etc. in the room.The itty bitty sign above the coffee maker said $5 if used. I didn’t use it- why would I when all you need to do is sit in front of a slot machine and someone would bring you free coffee? I disputed that at check out and got it removed.
The next time we stayed there was now a $5/ day “resort” fee added. This turned out to be a good deal becuase it included the coffee, access to the business center (which I needed) and unlimited access to their spa which usually charged a fee in previous encounters (much more than the $5 resort fee).

]]> By: Carver http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-fee-for-drinking-coffee-in-your-room-whatll-they-think-of-next/comment-page-1/#comment-19594 Carver Wed, 20 May 2009 16:52:37 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6523#comment-19594 I" ve been at W Hotels that charge for coffee as its placed in the amenity tray. As long as its well disclosed I can't really argue too much. You have a choice at that point. A few thoughts... I understand the reason for the bank analogy. Itsjust that there are things which people are unaccustomed to paying for and thus are surprised when a fee is imposed. There are reasons why you might want to cash a check at the maker's bank, not the least of which is that you immediately know whether funds are available. @Katt I think the OP meant tha the hotel wasn't complicit in the fraud. WHich makes sense as $80 is way too much money for someone to overlook, particularly for breakfast which most of us remember eating or not. @Katie Ryanair charges are per se reasonable. That's the business model of such an ultralow carrier. You know when you buy you ticket they charge you a la carte for everything except the air that you breathe, but, in return you can get a ticket a low as 1Euro. Just my $0.02 I” ve been at W Hotels that charge for coffee as its placed in the amenity tray. As long as its well disclosed I can’t really argue too much. You have a choice at that point.

A few thoughts…

I understand the reason for the bank analogy. Itsjust that there are things which people are unaccustomed to paying for and thus are surprised when a fee is imposed. There are reasons why you might want to cash a check at the maker’s bank, not the least of which is that you immediately know whether funds are available.

@Katt

I think the OP meant tha the hotel wasn’t complicit in the fraud. WHich makes sense as $80 is way too much money for someone to overlook, particularly for breakfast which most of us remember eating or not.

@Katie

Ryanair charges are per se reasonable. That’s the business model of such an ultralow carrier. You know when you buy you ticket they charge you a la carte for everything except the air that you breathe, but, in return you can get a ticket a low as 1Euro.

Just my $0.02

]]> By: Regina http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-fee-for-drinking-coffee-in-your-room-whatll-they-think-of-next/comment-page-1/#comment-19591 Regina Wed, 20 May 2009 16:18:22 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6523#comment-19591 Another ludicrous fee! I've never stayed in a property that charged for the in-room coffee. (Since hotel coffee tastes like brown dishwater, I don't drink it anyway.) In this case it was not presented on the customer's bill when she checked out, but added on after the fact without her permission. Hello, isn't that illegal? Another ludicrous fee! I’ve never stayed in a property that charged for the in-room coffee. (Since hotel coffee tastes like brown dishwater, I don’t drink it anyway.) In this case it was not presented on the customer’s bill when she checked out, but added on after the fact without her permission. Hello, isn’t that illegal?

]]> By: Katie, Tripbase http://www.elliott.org/blog/a-fee-for-drinking-coffee-in-your-room-whatll-they-think-of-next/comment-page-1/#comment-19590 Katie, Tripbase Wed, 20 May 2009 16:01:43 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6523#comment-19590 That is just plain mean. Nothing worse than meanness, it leaves a sour taste. What about Ryanair charging to use the bathroom on their flights. Unbelievable!! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/4861505/Ryanair-may-charge-1-for-toilet-use.html That is just plain mean. Nothing worse than meanness, it leaves a sour taste.

What about Ryanair charging to use the bathroom on their flights. Unbelievable!!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/4861505/Ryanair-may-charge-1-for-toilet-use.html

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