But tipping is considered an insult

I heard about that once about a Japan hotel, but never realized it’s actually true until you posted that. Thanks for sharing.

I agree it is refreshing to see that the base rate includes all taxes and governmental fees. But that would never fly over here… you almost get the sense that the hotels want to show you how much the tourists are being screwed over by the local government (my favorite is the hotel tax in Toronto creatively called a “Destination Marketing Fee” – like I really want to pay the city of Toronto to market their city to others).

In general, I think the European hotel breakfasts blow away their American counterparts. Stay at a Hilton in the US and one in continental Europe and you will know what I mean. The European Hilton breakfast is a smorgasboard of many different meats, cheese, fruit, vegetables, breads, cereals, juices, etc. You’d be lucky to find 1/2 of the variety at an American Hilton.

I just rec’d a copy of correspondence from an airline that said they were “forced” to present fares without fees because of “competitive pressures” from other airlines and search engines, etc. etc.

That’s a part of the problem. I’ve dealt with some customers who told me they booked with us because we (supposedly) don’t have those charges that competitors stated either online or over the phone.

Only catch is some of them also called to complain later on because the flight or hotel imposed fees we didn’t tell them, but even we</b weren’t made aware of by those vendors. We compensate in whatever way we can, though obviously we can’t give the moon.

One perversely funny part I found in that is some vendors who charge low with extra fees after turn out to be pretty much similarly, same, or slightliy higher priced to those who charge higher rates without the extras. Unfortunately that partly implies higher-priced vendors stand to lose potential customers to competitors who charge lower (and get dinged with the fees later on and be dealt with) prices for similar or same services, and that’s something they wish to avoid if it can be helped.

Garbage, sure. But…sounds like both the vendors and the customers are creating all that to begin with.

Hopefully something can be worked out…without having to create a law for it. Quite unfortunate if it has to come to that.

Pricing transparency should be a priority, especially in this economy.

That practically says it all, Chicky. :)

I also always look at fees and taxes when I book a flight (also, generally through the airline web site), before I confirm. You can usually choose your entire itinerary and look at the price breakdown before you hit “book.” Print it out to compare with other airlines.

Pricing transparency should be a priority, especially in this economy.

Fees like these are the reason that I recently selected one hotel over another. One offered wireless internet access as part of the room rate and another wanted to charge me. No thanks.

And I far prefer the european breakfast included. Maybe it was just because of the difference, but I could get used to it.

BTW, Heather, the airlines LOVE to pile on extras. Think “fuel surcharge”. Total garbage.

I just rec’d a copy of correspondence from an airline that said they were “forced” to present fares without fees because of “competitive pressures” from other airlines and search engines, etc. etc. Again–garbage.

That said, I loathe the idea of legislating good behavior. It only inspires the devious tricksters to come up with another angle. But if that is what it takes: so be it. The problem is this: the legislators (whether federal or state) are the biggest shakedown artists of all. That’s why the tax burden on your car rental in PHX or SEA exceeds 40pc. Yikes.

I don’t have a problem with local taxes or with the hotel charging for what they provide, but it should all be included in the main rate quoted in ads, websites, etc. That puts some honesty into it — if town A charges a 20% tax, and town B charges 10%, town B’s hotels *should* flourish and get more business.

I am also more likely to book with websites (either the company’s or a third party) that show the “total expected charge” early in the process (Hertz’s, for example, breaks down taxes and fees, including all the weird airport taxes and “convention center surcharge”s before you have to submit the reservation).

1. Abolish tipping. So what’s the incentive to treat the the guest well. Why do you think French waiters can get away with being so rude. The TIP IS ALREADY INCLUDED. So basically what you are saying is make the tip mandatory. How exactly does that help travelers.

2. All-Inclusive mini-bars. Yes, because the hotel will give away those items. Of course not. Obviously what the hotel will do is make its best guess as to how much the average guest will consume and just add that to the room rate. The Hyatt Andaz in West Hollywood does that excluding alcohol). No surprise, the base room rate is $280/night..

So under this silly plan, my room rate will increase to subsidize some over indulgent gluttonous drunks. No. Pay for your own damn booze.

Fair pricing is painfully simple that even a child could figure it out. All mandatory hotel charges must be included in the base rate. (no resort fees). Any charges not included in the base rate must be reasonably avoidable (parking, mini-bar). Government taxes should be displayde according to local customs for consistency in comparison. Total mandatory fees and taxes must be prominently displayed before confirmation whether by interenet or telephone.