As travelers increasingly scrutinize their budgets, the spotlight has turned toward hidden costs incurred during hotel stays, chief among them being resort fees. These charges, designed ostensibly to cover amenities such as pool access or Wi-Fi, have been dubbed a tactical money grab by hospitality workers’ union Unite Here. Their new campaign, “Resort Fee Ripoff,” acts as a clarion call urging consumers and travel advisors to dissect the unfairness surrounding these fees and their impact on commissions earned by advisors.
Many consumers may not realize that these resort fees often do not contribute to a travel advisor’s commission, a troubling realization brought to light by Unite Here. Major brands such as Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt have been highlighted for including language in their commission policies that excludes these fees from the calculations that determine advisor earnings. This exclusion has left many in the industry feeling shortchanged as their commissions dwindle, even as resort fees continue to climb.
Unite Here’s campaign has shed light on the terms set by leading hotel chains. For example, Hyatt’s policy explicitly states that “incidentals, taxes, mandatory fees” are not part of commissionable revenue. Hilton, similarly, restricts commissions to “room revenue only” for bookings originating in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. This fine print explains the frustrations of travel advisors who see increasing fees that do not contribute to their earnings.
With these details laid bare, the implications are clear: both consumers and travel advisors are being affected by these practices. Advisors who work tirelessly to secure bookings are left at a disadvantage, leading to questions about the sustainability of their business models in light of rising operational costs and diminishing returns.
In response to consumer advocacy and the mounting resentment toward hidden fees, regulatory changes may be on the horizon. New laws in some states are beginning to target these mandatory fees by improving price transparency across the board. Earlier this year, California’s junk fee legislation represented a significant step in this direction, while Marriott’s decision to include resort fees within room rates for better clarity was part of a consumer-protection agreement.
As consumer sentiment evolves, these changes indicate a growing demand for clearer pricing structures in the hospitality sector, which could ultimately lead to a more equitable relationship between consumers, travel advisors, and hotel operators.
The Unite Here campaign does not exist in a vacuum. It is supported by a larger movement comprising hotel workers’ strikes in key cities across the U.S., highlighting worker dissatisfaction with pay and working conditions. In San Francisco, for instance, strikes at prominent locations like the Grand Hyatt and Hilton have persisted for several weeks, signaling a continuous struggle for labor rights within the hospitality industry.
With heightened awareness and consumer action, the “Resort Fee Ripoff” campaign serves as a crucial reminder that the fight for fairness within the hospitality industry is a collective endeavor requiring collaboration among consumers, travel advisors, and workers alike. As transparency becomes paramount, it is hoped that a fairer landscape emerges for all stakeholders involved.