One thing that irks me about staying in hotels is how they always seem to try and sucker you. First, it started with outrageously overpriced phone calls but then technology advanced and people were able to use their own cell phones. Then, it was the mini bar but even charging $5 for a small pack of M&Ms, hotels couldn’t make money so they got rid of those.
Now, one of the ways that many hotels try to deceive you is by adding a delivery fee to your room service bill and then providing à blank line to add even more gratuity. Instead of stating that it’s an extra tip, they just pass it off like a tip is not included. The confusing part is that not all hotels are the same. Some don’t pass the delivery fee on to the server as a tip and some do. Heck, I’m not even entirely sure if any of them pass the whole gratuity on to the delivery worker as well.
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I know what you’re probably thinking: Who orders room service any more? And you’re right – not as many people do now as they did in the old days. I rarely do, for a number of reasons:
-The food is way over-priced
-The food is generally not very good
-It’s not a local experience
-You’re not supporting small businesses
I almost always go to a local restaurant or use a food delivery app instead of room service. Of course, there are issues with them too. Often, the delivery can take too long, which is no bueno when you have hungry little kids to feed.
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But recently, I had a dining credit to use at a hotel and I almost always sign for the bill but I was on a call so my wife signed. When I later saw the receipt on the table, I asked if she’d tipped. She said, “Yes, 20% like you always do.”
Yes, I do almost always tip 20% in a restaurant if the service is good but I don’t on in-room dining because the tip is usually included, it’s just disguised. Natalie asked why there is a blank line for gratuity and then they ask you to total up your bill? Good question.
There shouldn’t be a gratuity line if it’s already included in the delivery fee. It’s a scam and hotels need to be more transparent with their guests. If they continue to do this, room service is going to end up like phone calls and mini bars. Extinct.
There is, of course, something else hotels do that no one likes: the dreaded resort fee (or as some hotels call it, a “destination fee”), which is even worse but that’s a whole other story. KEEP READING: Should You Tip on Takeout?
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I totally agree! If the gratuity is already included in the delivery fee, there’s no need for a separate line. It feels misleading, and transparency would definitely go a long way in building trust with guests. If this trend keeps up, it could definitely make room service feel like a thing of the past.
Since many folks pick the “lowest priced” flight, car, or room, the agencies move more and more into the fees category to lower their advertised price. A few will let you see their final price with tax & fees before purchase. Others wait until you are there. I guess the Fed Gov will have to require tax & fee calc added to advertised prices to bring it back into competition again.
The individual that thought up the resort fees that started in Las Vegas must have gotten a tremendous bonus or raise when they institute it, because it added to the resorts bottom line.
I had never heard of a daily parking fee charged for no car! I often ask them to clear the minibar so no ‘accidental charges’ especially when they have one that is sensored with item movement! I had no idea the delivery fee in room service could also include gratuity! with kids often we like to get room service for breakfast and share (sometimes reasonably priced options are there) -will have to ask about it next time!