Quick Answer
To avoid hotel resort fees, the most reliable methods are booking stays with loyalty points, holding top tier elite status with chains like Hilton or Hyatt, or choosing brands that have banned the practice entirely. You can also try to negotiate these fees at the front desk by highlighting amenities you did not use or asking for a waiver if the property failed to provide a specific advertised service.
In 2026, transparency laws have made these fees easier to see upfront, but they are still a major cost in cities like Las Vegas, Miami, and New York. Always check if the fee is mandatory before you finalize your reservation, and use specific booking portals that cater to business travelers or luxury memberships to bypass these hidden costs.
Understanding How Resort Fees Work
Resort fees, often called destination fees or urban fees, are daily mandatory charges added on top of your room rate. Hotels use these to cover amenities like Wi-Fi, pool access, towels, and the fitness center. Even if you never step foot in the gym or use the internet, the hotel usually insists these are non negotiable.
The practice started in high end resorts but has spread to standard hotels in major metropolitan areas. By separating the fee from the nightly rate, hotels can appear cheaper in search results on third party booking sites. While recent regulations require more transparency, the extra twenty to fifty dollars per night can still surprise you on your final bill.
I always look for the total price including taxes and fees during the search process. If a hotel does not show the total cost until the very last checkout screen, it is a red flag that they are trying to hide the true price of the stay.
Book Your Stay Using Loyalty Points
One of the best tricks I have used to save money is booking with points. Several major hotel chains have a policy where they waive resort fees on award stays. This can save you hundreds of dollars on a week long vacation.
For example, Hilton and Hyatt are well known for this benefit. If you book a room using your World of Hyatt points, the resort fee is completely removed. Hilton Honors follows the same rule for stays booked entirely with points. It makes your points even more valuable because they cover both the room and the pesky extra fees.
Marriott and IHG are less consistent with this policy. While some individual properties might waive them, it is not a guaranteed brand wide rule. Always check the specific terms of your award booking before you confirm.
Reach Top Tier Elite Status
If you travel frequently, earning elite status can be your golden ticket to avoiding destination charges. Many chains reward their most loyal guests by stripping away these extra costs as a perk of membership.
- World of Hyatt Globalist members do not pay resort fees on any stays, even those paid with cash.
- Hilton Honors members generally get fees waived on award stays, though top tiers rarely get them waived on cash stays.
- Wyndham Rewards allows Diamond members to sometimes see these fees waived depending on the specific resort brand.
- Individual boutique chains often waive fees for guests who book directly through their own loyalty apps.
I find that Hyatt offers the most consumer friendly approach for elites. Being a Globalist member has saved me a significant amount of money in cities like San Francisco and Honolulu where destination fees are notoriously high.
Choose Brands That Refuse to Charge Subsidies
Not every hotel chain has jumped on the resort fee bandwagon. Some brands pride themselves on price transparency and do not charge these extra fees. If you want a straightforward bill, I recommend looking at these specific companies first.
Smaller, modern brands like Drury Hotels and many mid scale Marriott brands like Courtyard or Fairfield Inn rarely have resort fees unless they are in a prime beach location. Many budget oriented chains also skip the fees because they do not offer the extensive amenities used to justify the cost.
In the luxury space, some brands like Four Seasons or Aman rarely charge a daily resort fee. They usually include everything in the high nightly rate because they know their clientele prefers an all inclusive feel rather than being nickel and dimed for pool towels.
The Art of Front Desk Negotiation
If you find yourself at a hotel that charges a fee for services you did not use, you can try to negotiate at checkout. This works best if you have a specific reason or a complaint about the service provided during your stay.
I often tell the front desk clerk that I did not use the Wi-Fi because I used my own hotspot, or that the pool was closed for maintenance during my visit. If a specific amenity included in the fee was unavailable, the hotel is often willing to remove the charge. Be polite and firm. If the clerk says no, you can ask for a manager.
Another tactic is to ask for a credit instead. If they will not waive the forty dollar fee, they might give you a forty dollar credit for the hotel bar or restaurant. It is not as good as cash back, but it softens the blow of the mandatory charge.
Use Corporate or Specialized Booking Channels
If you are traveling for business, your company might have a negotiated rate that specifically excludes resort fees. Many large corporate travel portals have these agreements in place to keep the accounting simple for expense reports.
I have also found success using specialized luxury travel advisors. Some memberships or travel agents can book rooms under a specific rate code that includes waived resort fees as an added value. This is common with high end booking networks that offer perks like free breakfast and early check in.
Government employees and military members can also get these fees waived at certain properties. If you are booking on a government rate, always ask if the destination fee is included or if it can be removed for official travel.
Watch Out for Vegas Specific Rules
Las Vegas is the world capital of resort fees. Almost every major hotel on the Strip charges a daily fee that can sometimes be as high as the room rate itself. However, there are ways to beat the system in Sin City.
If you have high status with a casino loyalty program, such as Caesars Rewards (Diamond and above) or MGM Rewards (Gold and above), your resort fees are usually waived for every stay. This is one of the most valuable perks for Vegas regulars because it covers both paid and complimentary nights.
There are also a handful of hotels near the Strip that explicitly advertise a no resort fee policy. Properties like the Wyndham Grand Desert or the Four Queens in Downtown Vegas are great alternatives if you want to avoid the extra daily cost entirely.
Reporting Undisclosed Fees
In 2026, many states have introduced stricter laws regarding price transparency in the travel industry. If a hotel hides a resort fee until after you have paid, you may have grounds for a chargeback or a formal complaint with the state Attorney General.
I always take a screenshot of the initial price shown during my search. If that price changes significantly by the final screen without a clear explanation of taxes versus fees, I am ready to challenge it. If you feel you were deceived, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or the local consumer protection office.
While this does not always get your money back instantly, it puts pressure on the hotel industry to be more honest about their pricing. Most hotels prefer to waive a fee for an angry customer rather than deal with a formal investigation or a credit card dispute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to refuse to pay a resort fee at checkout?
Yes, you can ask the front desk to remove the fee if you did not use the amenities or if the services were not provided as described, though it is at the discretion of the manager. Be polite and provide a specific reason like a broken fitness center or slow Wi-Fi.
Do Hilton and Hyatt still waive fees on points stays?
As of 2026, both Hilton and Hyatt continue to waive resort and destination fees on stays booked entirely with loyalty points. This remains one of the best ways for travelers to get 100 percent value out of their rewards programs.
Are resort fees legal in the United States?
They are legal as long as they are disclosed before the booking is finalized. New federal and state laws have made it mandatory for hotels to show the full price including these fees early in the booking process to prevent bait and switch pricing.
Can I avoid resort fees by booking through Expedia or Booking.com?
Generally no, because these third party sites usually state that the resort fee must be paid directly to the hotel upon arrival. In some cases, you might end up paying more because the third party site does not allow you to use your elite status benefits to waive the fee.
Which cities have the highest resort fees?
Las Vegas, Orlando, New York City, and Honolulu are notorious for having the highest and most common resort fees in the country. In these markets, it is very common to see fees ranging from thirty to sixty dollars per night added to your bill.
Final Thoughts on Beating the Fees
Avoiding resort fees requires a bit of strategy and research before you click the book button. I recommend starting your search by looking at hotels where you have status or enough points to cover the room. If those are not options, look for boutique brands that value price transparency.
Always read the fine print on your confirmation email. If you see a fee listed that you do not agree with, call the hotel directly and ask about their policy for waiving it. Being proactive is always better than trying to fight a charge at the end of your trip.
The travel landscape is changing, and more consumers are demanding all in pricing. By supporting hotels that do not use these hidden charges, we can help move the industry toward a more honest and fair pricing model for everyone.
