Over the years, a large percentage of Vegas Hotels have been billing additional "fees" - above and beyond those taxes and surcharges required - pursuant to City and State-wide regulations.
For example, in spite of the fact most Hotels in the desert playground are not resorts per se, tourists are often charged "resort fees" in addition to normal surcharges for goods and services.
Owners have argued to their critics that these fees facilitate the upkeep on a fitness center, pay for internet access, and help maintain swimming pool and sauna facilities.
However, in a deceitful effort to get an edge on the competition, many of the Hotels did not always disclose the fees in their ads, or on Internet booking sites such as Expedia, Hot Wire, etc.
For example, when a tourist conducted a search for the lowest-priced suite in a given price range, the computers were programmed to drum up the basic Hotel fees and taxes in bold face to lure a consumer to that particular Hotel.
However, the "resort fees" were often hidden beneath links so that the tourist was sure to miss or overlook the extra costs, or not even mentioned on the site from the get-go.
Consequently, when the traveller arrived at their destination Hotel, they were shocked to learn for the first time that they would be required to pay additional sums ranging from $50 to $150.
I am big on disclosure, so when Palace Station and Expedia tried to pull this stunt on me, I went on the warpath.
For starters, I posted a consumer alert on the Internet.
Post: 10/06/10
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/10/palace-stationvegas-hotel-in-thick-with.html
Shortly after I published the alert, and it came to the attention of Management at the Palace Station that they were being accused of deceptive business practices and a failure to disclose, they issued credit back right away.
Post: 10/09/10
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/10/palace-station-las-vegassqueaky-wheel.html
A similar post on Expedia's failure to disclose rustled up a similar positive response.
If you peruse Expedia booking sites today, individuals may notice that all the fees are posted on the main page and fully disclosed as required by law.
Post: 05/18/10
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/05/expediaconspiracy-to-hide-fees-rip-off.html
Now, there is good news out of the Executive Offices at Planet Hollywood.
PH announnced earlier today that they are no longer going to bilk their guests out of the questionable "resort fees" that appear to be the "norm" in Las Vegas currently.
Now Planet Hollywood joins the ranks of the classy Hotels - like the Bellagio and the Hilton - who do not nickel-and-dime their clients to death.
On the strip, tourists were ecstatic about the change in policy.
"Now, there will be extra cash for a show or restaurant dinner. Maybe a massage at a spa," one visitor to the city gushed happily.
Now, if only those other greedy Hoteliers would fall into line.
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