It sounds like the best bet is to do a charge back on the credit card each time this happens. I hate these Vegas hotels and will never do business with them or send business their way and will do everything in my power to stop their success, as long as they deceive people with their non-disclosed, but mandantory fees.

I just got notice from AmExpr that PL did not answer my dispute over an undisclosed resort fee. PL was charged back and I was refunded the full $92.17. Trust me this is not a PL oversight. They choose not to contest it, because there policy is indefensible in court and they want to protect the hotel’s who tack on these undisclosed fees. Those hotels undoubtedly take a very large % of the bids. In this case, a 2* bid was snatch by a resort (with a big resort fee).

The resort fees are not the issue. The hotel can charge anything they can get away with, as long as it’s disclosed and accepted BEFORE the contract is locked. PL’s “Name you own price” bidders have no disclosure of the AMOUNT of this mandatory charge to be added to their bid. That AMOUNT is known by both the hotel and PL and could easily be disclosed .
PL vague warning that some hotel charge resort fees is insufficient, without limits and unfair to vast majority of hotels that only charge the bid amount(plus a known tax).

I’ve had many years of hotel success with PL and will continue to bid. I will not pay resort fees unless the details are disclose before the lock. If a hotel with resort fees takes my bid, I will notify them I am canceling and tell them why. I will do the same for PL. Their reps will tell me “I am not authorized waive the resort fee or accept cancellations and I won’t let you speak to anyone who is”. I will document everything, book a honest hotel, and then get a refund from my credit card company.

I’m sure I’ll win each time, but this policy won’t change if it’s only me.

Unfortunately, some of you suggested won’t work.

In order

1. If you know that the hotel might charge a resort fee and still bid, it’s on you. That’syour tough luck. You chose to purchase a product without knowing all of the details. Unless the amount of the resort fee is unconscionable, you’re SOL.

2. Calling the hotel won’t do anything. The room has been sold to priceline.

Priceline, however is acting illegally; making a contract between the hotel and bidder without providing both parties with the specifics of the deal prior to acceptance . PL warning of a resort fee ahead of time isn’t enough. The amount must be disclosed before acceptance for the contract to be binding. PL can you hear the class action lawyers knocking?

PL has a simple fix.
If a bid is accepted by a resort fee hotel, disclose the amount of the fee and let the bidder accept or reject the deal.

PL won’t make changes unless bidders act.
1. Every time your bid is accepted with a surprise resort fee, call PL and tell them you want to cancel. They won’t, but they count the calls.
2. If you can afford it, call the hotel and try to cancel the deal. Tell them why. Document everything. Don’t stay there.
3. Call you credit card company and start a dispute. If you are in good standing, the cc company will offer to pay your resort fees or even the unused lodging so as not to kill the goose (PL)
4. Take it if you must. If you refuse, I believe they will have to charge back PL and give you credit. Either way, with enough calls it will change.

I felt really burned that they hit me when I’m so vulnerable. Its not like I can tell me new wife, never mind lets go home, or lets go stay in the Motel 6 for $40 and no resort fee. Way lame.

Mitch Kalcheim
KALCHEIM LAW GROUP, P.C.
9300 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 508
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Tel: (310) 461-1210
Fax: (310) 461-1212
Mitch@Kallawgroup.com

Bid insultingly.

This way, even with extra fees, the total price will almost always be lower than the lowest discount prices in the vicinity.