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Many of us have walked away from a hotel desk without checking the hotel bill and
paying the bill blindly. According to an administrator of a leading company, “ a company
could save thousands of dollars by reconciling hotel bills.” For both the business
traveler and personal traveler an aspect of travel that is becoming a growing problem
is hotel over billing. Corporate management consultants found that people over pay
hotels in excess of USD 1.8 million everyday. The billing error rates are known to be
as high as 25 %.
To save on hotel bills you the business or personal traveler must know:
1. Always find out what the room rate should be. Do a comparison of rates.
Many hotel directories on the internet encourage travelers to find out what
actual rates are. And, get the rate in writing at the time of booking a room.
2. If you are booking on a corporate rate or a package find out what the
package includes. When paying the bill ensure that items that were supposed to
be free are not billed for, like a free meal or use of the spa.If the booking
included one night free ensure that it is actuality free and not charged.
3. Find out before you check in what the nonnegotiable surcharges are. Many
charge for use of the phone, room safe, and resort pool.
4. Many large hotels add a service charge to your bill. This means the
tip is included in the bill and you do not have to tip for service separately
if you don’t wish to.
5. Know whether or not the food and drink kept in the room is free or will
be billed to you. While some hotels offer a fruit basket or welcome drink free
others charge the customer for whatever is used.
6. Many hotels charge greater amounts for room service. For example breakfast
eaten in the coffee shop may be cheaper than if it is served in your room. Some
do mention this fact on the room service menu.
Many hotels bill clients for facilities they may never use or don’t know of. Many
travelers have been forced to pay larger bills because of the presence of an
Olympic size pool, gym, or internet connection.
It is to your advantage if you insist that the hotel disclose upfront all charges
and costs including taxes and surcharge before you check in. This way you will
not be in for any surprises when you settle the bill.
And unlike other fields where consumer protection is in place the hotel and
travel industry do not have any watchdogs that guide hapless consumers. Most
travel articles do not address the “dark side” of travel as the incentives and
sops offered by the industry are great temptations. To set right wrongs a
concerted effort must be made by travelers—they can writ forums, blog posts,
and more all over the World Wide Web and create a consortium that will wage a
war against unfair practices and over billing.
About Author
Barry Allen is a freelance writer for
Online Hotel Reservations, the premier
website to find help on Hotels including topics on discount hotels, cheap hotels,
hotel and resort information, make online hotel reservations, hotel deal,
special hotel offers and more.
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