Mandatory Resort Fees Attract Class Action Lawsuit

A potential class action lawsuit is being prepared against major resort and hotel chains accused of improperly charging guests mandatory resort fees that weren’t adequately disclosed.

These mandatory, and usually unadvertised, hotel fees are most prevalent in Hawaii, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, and California. These resort fees are often charged for daily amenities such a newspaper, Wi-Fi, bottled water, and more. Many guests are frustrated, however, because they are charged for these amenities whether they choose to use them or not.

Because the charges are often not disclosed during the booking for the guest, they complain that they were not aware that they were being charged.

Due to a recent notification sent out by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), some of these resort fees may now be illegal. This notification was sent to 22 hotel operators, warning that their online rate quotes may be in violation of the agency’s regulations, because the hotels list these charges separately from the fine print of the booking.

Consumers who were charged a mandatory hotel fee or resort fee may be eligible to join a class action lawsuit investigation an pursue compensation.

What are Resort Fees?

Hotels started charging resort fees in the 1990s, when they were used to pay for the upkeep of high-end facilities at more upscale resorts, beach clubs, and other luxury destinations. However, for the past several years, lower-end resorts are starting the practice using these resort charges.  As mentioned earlier, resorts try to justify these charges by stating they are for the amenities the guest uses, whether they actually make use of them or not.  Resort fees are almost always on a fixed rate that is paid per room, per night.

Travel experts state that one way to avoid excess resort fees is to read the fine print before booking the room. Oftentimes the fees will be referred to as separate charges when the room is booked, but will not list them specifically.  Typically, hotels hide the resort fees through the advertisement of low room rates, and do not mention the resort fees in the reservation total.

Guests often discover these charges when they check out and find they have a higher bill than expected.  According to the FCC, this business practice is now illegal, and guests may now have the be able to pursue legal action over these fees.

Join a Resort Fee Class Action Lawsuit

If you or someone you know was charged a mandatory hotel resort fee that was not disclosed until after the hotel was booked, or not until check-out, you may be eligible to participate in a free class action lawsuit investigation.  Some of the hotel chains being investigated for this potentially illegal practice include but are not limited to:

• Fairmont
• Hilton
• Hyatt
• IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group)
• Marriott
• Starwood
• Westin
• Wyndham
• Others

Submit your information for a free claim review at the Hotel Resort Fee Class Action Lawsuit Investigation.