The New York hotel destination fee scam (2020)(travelforaliving.co.uk)
travelforaliving.co.uk
The New York hotel destination fee scam (2020)
http://www.travelforaliving.co.uk/tips/know-about-new-york-destination-fee/
65 comments
I'm not opposed to unbundling for flight tickets. If you don't have checked luggage or don't need to eat, why pay for it?
What riles me up is when airlines intentionally provide a shitty experience when you're not willing to pay the higher price. To me, as a status flyer this is s form of blackmail and I'm not willing to play.
Their error of thinking (looking at you, Lufthansa Group, but others likely pull the exact same shit) is that I don't only buy cheap flights, but will sometimes splurge for a business ticket in long distance.
Just this February my business went to the Omanis (which also offer the better product).
Being treated like shit on short distance flights was not the only reason, but certainly a factor.
What riles me up is when airlines intentionally provide a shitty experience when you're not willing to pay the higher price. To me, as a status flyer this is s form of blackmail and I'm not willing to play.
Their error of thinking (looking at you, Lufthansa Group, but others likely pull the exact same shit) is that I don't only buy cheap flights, but will sometimes splurge for a business ticket in long distance.
Just this February my business went to the Omanis (which also offer the better product).
Being treated like shit on short distance flights was not the only reason, but certainly a factor.
I'm not saying that you can't have unbundled pricing, or go with an ultra-economy carrier if that product suits you best.
I'm saying that listing ultra-economy in the same search results as (now so-called) "premium" economy is a race to the bottom. We can stop this race if we just define a standard bundle and force competition on the basis of the bundle price.
If they could charge you extra for the privilege of taking the clothes on your back, they would. I'm surprised they aren't already charging to use seat-back entertainment (or "limited ads" seatback entertainment) or the reading lamp.
I'm saying that listing ultra-economy in the same search results as (now so-called) "premium" economy is a race to the bottom. We can stop this race if we just define a standard bundle and force competition on the basis of the bundle price.
If they could charge you extra for the privilege of taking the clothes on your back, they would. I'm surprised they aren't already charging to use seat-back entertainment (or "limited ads" seatback entertainment) or the reading lamp.
The problem is that eventually it becomes ridiculous to the extent that the process feels, well, just mean.
For example, budget flights in Europe have no cabin baggage included other than a very small bag. There's enough space in the cabin, and logically the cost of adding another 10kg to each person can't be more than 10-15% of the ticket, but it's way more than that to add a normal sized bag.
For example, budget flights in Europe have no cabin baggage included other than a very small bag. There's enough space in the cabin, and logically the cost of adding another 10kg to each person can't be more than 10-15% of the ticket, but it's way more than that to add a normal sized bag.
Sure, people often travel without checked luggage. But the "basic economy" tier typically also forbids you from bringing a carry-on bag (just one personal item), and you also don't have a reserved seat. How often do people fly with just one personal item? And if you don't have a reserved seat, then you're the first person to be bumped if the flight is overbooked and everyone actually shows up.
So while some perks are often optional, most of the unbundling affects core features. And presumably the reason for this is so they can show up as the lowest price, get you halfway through the purchase process, and convince you to upgrade.
So while some perks are often optional, most of the unbundling affects core features. And presumably the reason for this is so they can show up as the lowest price, get you halfway through the purchase process, and convince you to upgrade.
> Just this February my business went to...
So happy to hear that there was competition for you to do that! The lack of it on so many routes (and the oligopoly that is domestic air travel) is the source of this whole problem. If sufficient competition exists, it puts a limit on the degree they can get away with. Without it, the blueprint is clear: Make them miserable while inventing ways to pay to escape it.
So happy to hear that there was competition for you to do that! The lack of it on so many routes (and the oligopoly that is domestic air travel) is the source of this whole problem. If sufficient competition exists, it puts a limit on the degree they can get away with. Without it, the blueprint is clear: Make them miserable while inventing ways to pay to escape it.
> a meal at 4+ hours
Man, I can't remember the last time I had a meal on a domestic flight. I just flew from BOS-SFO and was thrilled that JetBlue gave us unlimited snacks on the 6 hour flight. But thinking back, I realize now that cross-country flights used to always have a meal. And reasonably-sized seats.
Man, I can't remember the last time I had a meal on a domestic flight. I just flew from BOS-SFO and was thrilled that JetBlue gave us unlimited snacks on the 6 hour flight. But thinking back, I realize now that cross-country flights used to always have a meal. And reasonably-sized seats.
My last few international (North America -> Europe) didn't have meals. Booze? Yes. Snacks? Yes. Meals? No. I actually plan on traveling first class next time because of this.
Does first class mean something different to you? A first class ticket is ridiculously expensive and all airlines don't even offer them. A business class ticket is absolutely going to have meals included, and won't require robbing a bank.
Domestic business is called first class in the US for some reason, so that’s where the confusion comes from.
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Who are you flying with that isn't giving a meal?
Norwegian is the only carrier I know with optional meal service.
If you're the carrier - it's bad business to have hangry passengers.
Norwegian is the only carrier I know with optional meal service.
If you're the carrier - it's bad business to have hangry passengers.
Which cities did you travel between? I don't travel to EU much, but I could imagine that flying between London and NYC might be the same amount of travel time as NYC-SF.
That said, we all expect more of international flights, and this is a really disappointing data point to learn of.
That said, we all expect more of international flights, and this is a really disappointing data point to learn of.
I've never experienced this in decades of slumming it in coach back and forth across the Atlantic. Pretty much the minimum flight time from NA->Europe is 6+ hours.
Have you actually checked the price differential between coach and first class? It's like two orders of magnitude. Might be better off stopping at Mickey Dees at JFK before boarding.
Have you actually checked the price differential between coach and first class? It's like two orders of magnitude. Might be better off stopping at Mickey Dees at JFK before boarding.
> This practice is more generally known as "drip pricing"[1], and it is definitely a dark pattern.
It's not a dark pattern, it's simply a crime in many jurisdictions.
My grandfather was an inspector for the fraud and safety administration in the 1970s in France, and he would regularly fine businesses that would hide fees from their advertised prices. Restaurants used to be the worst offenders, but a long time ago a law was passed such that they are obligated to exhaustively list their price at the entrance and specify that it's all included. It's rather surprising to me that this kind of practice is still allowed nowadays in the US, and that it's in fact getting worse.
It's not a dark pattern, it's simply a crime in many jurisdictions.
My grandfather was an inspector for the fraud and safety administration in the 1970s in France, and he would regularly fine businesses that would hide fees from their advertised prices. Restaurants used to be the worst offenders, but a long time ago a law was passed such that they are obligated to exhaustively list their price at the entrance and specify that it's all included. It's rather surprising to me that this kind of practice is still allowed nowadays in the US, and that it's in fact getting worse.
A few thoughts:
- The Wi-Fi and breakfast situation is the opposite of what you describe for clear market reasons. People who go to four star hotels aren’t interested in trash continental breakfast and would rather pay for something good, and Wi-Fi costs money because business people expense it. In contrast, breakfast is included at lower tier hotels because price conscious customers shop on value.
- Flight search engines already detail important flight details like basic economy restrictions and other factors.
- People need to grow up about meals on flights. This isn’t 1960 when flights were essentially all business and first class fares adjusted for inflation. You want food on your flight? Bring/buy some and take it on the plane with you. Bring an empty water bottle through TSA and fill it at the water fountain.
- The Wi-Fi and breakfast situation is the opposite of what you describe for clear market reasons. People who go to four star hotels aren’t interested in trash continental breakfast and would rather pay for something good, and Wi-Fi costs money because business people expense it. In contrast, breakfast is included at lower tier hotels because price conscious customers shop on value.
- Flight search engines already detail important flight details like basic economy restrictions and other factors.
- People need to grow up about meals on flights. This isn’t 1960 when flights were essentially all business and first class fares adjusted for inflation. You want food on your flight? Bring/buy some and take it on the plane with you. Bring an empty water bottle through TSA and fill it at the water fountain.
> People who go to four star hotels aren’t interested in trash continental breakfast and would rather pay for something good
I've had very good breakfasts at middle-tier hotels. Sometimes they were entirely free, and sometimes they would just give you $25 off or something.
> Wi-Fi costs money because business people expense it
Do hotels charge for wifi? Seems like everyone includes serviceable wifi, though some have a paid tier if you want a faster connection. I never have — is this common for people to pay for?
> You want food on your flight? Bring/buy some and take it on the plane with you
I'll remember that next time I get up for a flight at 4:30 AM, when no eateries are open. There is good food in many airports, but I can't exactly take ramen to-go. Airport food is also incredibly expensive.
I've had very good breakfasts at middle-tier hotels. Sometimes they were entirely free, and sometimes they would just give you $25 off or something.
> Wi-Fi costs money because business people expense it
Do hotels charge for wifi? Seems like everyone includes serviceable wifi, though some have a paid tier if you want a faster connection. I never have — is this common for people to pay for?
> You want food on your flight? Bring/buy some and take it on the plane with you
I'll remember that next time I get up for a flight at 4:30 AM, when no eateries are open. There is good food in many airports, but I can't exactly take ramen to-go. Airport food is also incredibly expensive.
Charging extra for Wi-Fi definitely isn’t common anymore, but it used to be, and it was more common for higher end hotels.
Again, we don’t need to be whining about the airplane food situation. We’re all supposed to be adults here.
All sorts of food items can be taken through security. You can plan ahead and bring a sandwich or trail mix or something of that sort. You don’t need restaurants to be open to feed yourself. Maybe just eat before you get to the airport. It really isn’t hard.
40% of Americans have obesity and they’re over here acting like they’ll starve without complimentary meals on their flight. Everyone literally spends around 12 hours between dinner and breakfast without eating so I think you we can all handle a 5 hour flight without a full meal.
Again, we don’t need to be whining about the airplane food situation. We’re all supposed to be adults here.
All sorts of food items can be taken through security. You can plan ahead and bring a sandwich or trail mix or something of that sort. You don’t need restaurants to be open to feed yourself. Maybe just eat before you get to the airport. It really isn’t hard.
40% of Americans have obesity and they’re over here acting like they’ll starve without complimentary meals on their flight. Everyone literally spends around 12 hours between dinner and breakfast without eating so I think you we can all handle a 5 hour flight without a full meal.
No one is whining; we're talking about companies degrading their service while prices are trending ever upwards. If you love the current situation you're free to go read another article or join in another HN discussion. This one is about the increase in useless fees and removal of previously-standard services.
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> This one is about the increase in useless fees and removal of previously-standard services.
Something that I would argue hasn't been happening in the airline industry. Instead, cost has gone down consistently over time. (Don’t mistake ultra low cost airlines for a degradation in service, that is an entirely new product that didn’t exist previously)
I can think of ways in which airlines have actually increased level of service/value/reduced fees recently. For example, American Airlines eliminated change fees.
Something that I would argue hasn't been happening in the airline industry. Instead, cost has gone down consistently over time. (Don’t mistake ultra low cost airlines for a degradation in service, that is an entirely new product that didn’t exist previously)
I can think of ways in which airlines have actually increased level of service/value/reduced fees recently. For example, American Airlines eliminated change fees.
Airlines eliminated change fees during COVID because otherwise people wouldn't have been willing to commit to travel during the period of pandemic restrictions and conference uncertainty. Conferences would have remained remote/hybrid for longer, and people would have had more zoom calls instead of meetings.
> without complimentary meals on their flight. Everyone literally spends around 12 hours between dinner and breakfast without eating
What about second breakfast?
What about second breakfast?
I've always hated the resort fees. They're an absolute scam. Hotels went from having free WiFi anyway, to having free WiFi and charging a "resort fee" for covering the amenity of free WiFi. Food and beverage credits are basically never worth it. At least you had something for loyalty in the past, HHonors Diamond would get you free breakfast at any Hilton property globally. No more, you get $10-$18/day in F&B credit, when it typically costs $35-60/day for breakfast. To add insult to injury, the locations you most likely will encounter resort fee scams are also locations that tax the ever-loving shit out of you. Nothing galls me more than visiting San Francisco and having to pay extra taxes on top of the normal already high taxes in California/SF because I'm city-center. Yep, definitely worth the extra money as I dodge mentally ill people, needles, and human feces to walk from my hotel past a luxury boutique to get a burger for dinner at a corner diner where it's only $25 for a simple burger instead of the $45 the hotel charges.
I've traveled a lot, I've never once got my money's worth out of a resort fee. At least in Las Vegas there's a way to decline it, but they just won't let you connect to the WiFi from the room. If you're in Vegas for anything other than a business trip, you're probably not going to be spending much time on WiFi anyway, and I have unlimited 5G data on my mobile phone + tethering. It's absolutely a scam, and it's ridiculous you get taxed on paying bullshit fees, it's just a way for the government to scam you too at the same time they give businesses a pass for scamming you with bullshit fees.
I've traveled a lot, I've never once got my money's worth out of a resort fee. At least in Las Vegas there's a way to decline it, but they just won't let you connect to the WiFi from the room. If you're in Vegas for anything other than a business trip, you're probably not going to be spending much time on WiFi anyway, and I have unlimited 5G data on my mobile phone + tethering. It's absolutely a scam, and it's ridiculous you get taxed on paying bullshit fees, it's just a way for the government to scam you too at the same time they give businesses a pass for scamming you with bullshit fees.
It seems, though, that those fees are really an American problem.
I've never encountered crap like this in Europe or Asia.
The worst I encountered, in Penang, was that VAT was not included and charged extra.
City tax may also be charged seperately, but we're talking 2-5 Euro per person / night. Shit, like charging an additional 50$ per night for nothing, just because they can just doesn't happen.
I've never encountered crap like this in Europe or Asia.
The worst I encountered, in Penang, was that VAT was not included and charged extra.
City tax may also be charged seperately, but we're talking 2-5 Euro per person / night. Shit, like charging an additional 50$ per night for nothing, just because they can just doesn't happen.
> It seems, though, that those fees are really an American problem.
Not at all. I saw this several years ago on a business trip in the UK at the preferred hotel as selected by my employer where on top of the higher than public rate there were fees for wifi and other services I'd consider basic at a Marriott Courtyard.
Not at all. I saw this several years ago on a business trip in the UK at the preferred hotel as selected by my employer where on top of the higher than public rate there were fees for wifi and other services I'd consider basic at a Marriott Courtyard.
Not the same thing.
While you practically never see fees for Wifi nowadays it used to be quite common 10 years ago. Mostly in upscale hotels.
The significant difference to a resort fee is that you didn't have to pay if you didn't want to use it.
I don't have a problem with a hotel charging for the spa or the gym.
What I do have a problem with if they charge for such features regardless if I use them.
And that's the problem with resort fees.
While you practically never see fees for Wifi nowadays it used to be quite common 10 years ago. Mostly in upscale hotels.
The significant difference to a resort fee is that you didn't have to pay if you didn't want to use it.
I don't have a problem with a hotel charging for the spa or the gym.
What I do have a problem with if they charge for such features regardless if I use them.
And that's the problem with resort fees.
To me it’s not about getting “your money’s worth.” If they want to charge extra for the pool or a couple of bottles of water, fine, as long as it’s optional. These are always mandatory fees though. If I have to pay it, it should be included in the displayed price, and there shouldn’t be any surprises at checkin.
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Wait what? Afaik there's no way to decline a Vegas resort fee without being a member of the relevant casino rewards program in the requisite status tier.
Yes, you can decline them. I do this every single time at check-in if I'm not on a business trip. If you decline them, then you won't be able to use WiFi since you have to connect with your last name and room number through the captive portal at most properties. This may be property specific, I usually stay at MGM properties. If I'm on a business trip I don't care because it's not coming out of my pocket, and I usually can't choose the hotel I am staying at unilaterally.
The resort fee basically covers access to specific amenities (theoretically), if you decline it you will be giving up access to those amenities, that are otherwise not "free". YMMV.
The resort fee basically covers access to specific amenities (theoretically), if you decline it you will be giving up access to those amenities, that are otherwise not "free". YMMV.
No you can't and I can't find a single report that doesn't confirm.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g45963-i10-k8695916-Is...
Specific policy: https://www.mgmresorts.com/en/mgm-rewards/daily-resort-fee-w...
A lawsuit that specifics names them as mandatory: https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/mgm-re...
When was the last time this supposedly worked? These are posts from seven years ago...
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g45963-i10-k8695916-Is...
Specific policy: https://www.mgmresorts.com/en/mgm-rewards/daily-resort-fee-w...
A lawsuit that specifics names them as mandatory: https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/mgm-re...
When was the last time this supposedly worked? These are posts from seven years ago...
It's been awhile, I go to Vegas so much for work the last few years (pandemic not-withstanding) that I haven't done a personal trip in awhile. I have one planned this year though in September, so if I remember I'll report back how it goes then, because I absolutely plan to reject the resort fees.
I was charged an "urban fee" by a business hotel (a Fairmont property) that I used to stay at regularly, because I once had to book it though a discounter because of a company's travel policy.
I used to be an elite member at their hotels and they've now lost all my business for it, which obviously isn't important to them because they didn't even respond to the email I sent them complaining. They must be making enough scamming people this way that they don't care.
Personally I'm not very price sensitive, I'm happy to pay to get my preference. But I'm very sensitive to getting ripped off. If someone wants to charge me a certain price, they better bake it into the up front cost. If they lie to me and make me pay more later, it's literally theft and I'm not giving business to criminals, like Fairmont.
All that said, the airline industry used to have a much bigger problem with lying about the up front price and then adding in a bunch of extra fees when you pay. But ~20 years ago now I think there was some legislation, at least where I am, that required them to advertise the real price. The same should apply to hotels.
I used to be an elite member at their hotels and they've now lost all my business for it, which obviously isn't important to them because they didn't even respond to the email I sent them complaining. They must be making enough scamming people this way that they don't care.
Personally I'm not very price sensitive, I'm happy to pay to get my preference. But I'm very sensitive to getting ripped off. If someone wants to charge me a certain price, they better bake it into the up front cost. If they lie to me and make me pay more later, it's literally theft and I'm not giving business to criminals, like Fairmont.
All that said, the airline industry used to have a much bigger problem with lying about the up front price and then adding in a bunch of extra fees when you pay. But ~20 years ago now I think there was some legislation, at least where I am, that required them to advertise the real price. The same should apply to hotels.
What is an "urban fee"?
It was just something made up to tack onto the bill and make it higher.
Sounds like a "The land is all used up here, so nobody will be able to build a non-ripoff hotel to compete with us" fee.
I didn't know this existed in NYC. It's well known in Vegas (which the article mentions) where it's called a "resort fee". It's paid at check out and is mandatory. And yes, it's to have a lower sticker price for rooms.
Airlines do it too. There are "fuel surcharges" and other fees that aren't really fees. It's just a way to make the ticket appear cheaper.
Uber got in trouble some years ago by adding a "safety fee" to their fares. What did this buy? Absolutely nothing. They just pocketed it.
And of course concerts are a big one for added on fees that may well double the price (or more).
And let's not get started on AirBnB and their "cleaning fees".
I hate this crap. The only price you should be able to quote is the all-inclusive price. And mandatory fees should be part of that price. It should be illegal (ie false advertising) to do otherwise. It just goes to show how feckless the FTC is.
Airlines do it too. There are "fuel surcharges" and other fees that aren't really fees. It's just a way to make the ticket appear cheaper.
Uber got in trouble some years ago by adding a "safety fee" to their fares. What did this buy? Absolutely nothing. They just pocketed it.
And of course concerts are a big one for added on fees that may well double the price (or more).
And let's not get started on AirBnB and their "cleaning fees".
I hate this crap. The only price you should be able to quote is the all-inclusive price. And mandatory fees should be part of that price. It should be illegal (ie false advertising) to do otherwise. It just goes to show how feckless the FTC is.
> by adding a "safety fee"
Hell, a lot of these companies (even ISPs) tried to avoid the bad blood around things like this by actually listing them as taxes, until they were told they could not call anything a 'tax' that wasn't actually required by and paid to a government entity.
Hell, a lot of these companies (even ISPs) tried to avoid the bad blood around things like this by actually listing them as taxes, until they were told they could not call anything a 'tax' that wasn't actually required by and paid to a government entity.
I’ve never seen a dual surcharge except on the final receipt breakdown where I learn the ticket price is only about half of what I paid. From Google Flights through to checkout it’s all inclusive of fees.
I think this might be due to EU legislation requiring that. Maybe time for the US to crack down on it in a similar way.
I think this might be due to EU legislation requiring that. Maybe time for the US to crack down on it in a similar way.
> And let's not get started on AirBnB and their "cleaning fees".
at least airbnb lets you see it in the total price now. used that heavily last time I was travelling
at least airbnb lets you see it in the total price now. used that heavily last time I was travelling
One other thing with fuel fees is that they aren’t taxed the same way airline tickets are, so there is a tax benefit to charging for fuel fees as well.
A few months ago President Biden announced his war on "junk fees" which should include this, but it appears the administration has ADHD and quickly forgot about it.
Resort fees are still everywhere. You gotta pay for that pool access and two water bottles per day!
At least Marriott will start displaying them in the booking process: https://onemileatatime.com/news/marriott-display-rates-trans...
At least Marriott will start displaying them in the booking process: https://onemileatatime.com/news/marriott-display-rates-trans...
It took a lawsuit though. The FTC should just mandate the fees be shown up front.
We have a weird legal system where Marriott gets sued for something being done by many hotels and the outcome is that only Marriott has to be transparent about this. It's tough to even call this the bare minimum to help consumers who have such little power in this situation.
I'm glad bills for the Junk Fees Prevention Act, which would address this, were introduced in March/April, but they haven't had any movement since. It's sad when stuff like this, which would appeal to any American that doesn't own a hotel can't get passed probably because people who do own hotels just have that much more political power...
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/916
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2463
I'm glad bills for the Junk Fees Prevention Act, which would address this, were introduced in March/April, but they haven't had any movement since. It's sad when stuff like this, which would appeal to any American that doesn't own a hotel can't get passed probably because people who do own hotels just have that much more political power...
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/916
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2463
Biden called for the legislation in his State of the Union speech, so of course Republicans feel obligated to obstruct it.
I am pretty sure this is a way for hotels to appear competitive on deal websites/apps. When I use like HotelTonight the “Resort Fee” is not included in their price. It’s definitely a dark pattern and I wish they were just up front about it and allow consumers to make informed decisions.
Using VPN to access European versions of booking sites will usually let you see listings with all fees included as required by law, although a shady hotel in New York can probably get away with adding a totally hidden fee for a while.
I have had the experience myself of getting an unexpected and mandatory “resort fee” added to my nightly rate in NYC, and I agree it’s a scam. I read somewhere that the practice came about as a result of price comparison websites. It gives hotels a way to appear near the top of the list when you sort by price, by displaying a bogus price that excludes the resort fee. They bury the resort fee in the small print. This is exactly how I got suckered. I think it reflects poorly on the price comparison sites as well as the hotels.
I don't get how this crap doesn't just fall under fraudulent advertising. The price of x is y iff (I give you x or more dollars -> you give me y).
I guess hotels are more evil than airlines now, since while they do the same "unbundling" of pricing, the whole things is a scam because you have no choice but to pay for all of it even when you don't want those amenities. At least with Spirit you could choose to fly in a middle seat, with no bags at all, no water, no snack, no windowshade, no using the lav, and pay the exact price they advertise.
Although I remember at least 10 years ago staying in a few hotels which advertised in small print something like "A copy of the Chicago Tribune will be provided to you. If you do not want it, notify the front desk and we will credit 50 cents each day off your bill."
Although I remember at least 10 years ago staying in a few hotels which advertised in small print something like "A copy of the Chicago Tribune will be provided to you. If you do not want it, notify the front desk and we will credit 50 cents each day off your bill."
https://www.hospitalitynet.org/opinion/4105700.html
> On September 3, 1988, the New York Times published an article titled “Hotels, Like the Airlines, Offer Discounts.” That article referenced a new “sophisticated computer technique known as yield management” ... In 1994, Sheryl Kimes of Cornell University, another early pioneer in the field, conducted research on consumer reactions to demand-based pricing practices, indicating that consumers were more accepting of those practices by airlines than by hotels. By 2001, Kimes’ follow-up research confirmed that there was no perceived difference between the two. Dynamic pricing was here to stay.
> On September 3, 1988, the New York Times published an article titled “Hotels, Like the Airlines, Offer Discounts.” That article referenced a new “sophisticated computer technique known as yield management” ... In 1994, Sheryl Kimes of Cornell University, another early pioneer in the field, conducted research on consumer reactions to demand-based pricing practices, indicating that consumers were more accepting of those practices by airlines than by hotels. By 2001, Kimes’ follow-up research confirmed that there was no perceived difference between the two. Dynamic pricing was here to stay.
Do note that the article is from 2020. I have some experience with Booking.com and Expedia from the other side of the check-in desk (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35591495). Both sites now try to include resort fees and other charges in the listed price, and I believe both also try to charge their 10-12% OTA commission on resort fees as well.
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The first price comparison website that manages to include these bullshit charges effectively will make a lot of money.
(part of which will no doubt be spent on made-up lawsuits by the businesses involved)
(part of which will no doubt be spent on made-up lawsuits by the businesses involved)
Hope that "food labels for broadband" comes to other commerce like airlines, hotels and rental cars.
I have always been wary of the ‘safe fee’ also.
The room comes with a fully-stocked safe?
My feeling is that the travel search engines should define a standard for a certain category of travel, and then show the price that achieves that standard. That this hasn't happened shows a sort of industry capture or lack of competition, IMO.
If a hotel is said to be 4-stars, then amenities like WiFi, gym, and pool access should be included in the rate. If they have a resort fee, that should be included on the search engine.
For airfare, economy class should have a reserved seat, printed ticket, with X inches of legroom, Y inches of width, 1 standard carry-on, 1 check-in bag, a soft drink and crunchy snack of your choice for short flights, and a meal at 4+ hours. Whatever price that ends up being is what is shown on the search engine. If it requires "economy plus" to achieve that level of service, then that's what you get if you search for "economy" class fares.
Let the search engine have a "steerage" search class for the 2-star hotel experience at a 4-star hotel, and the "water costs extra" economy airlines.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drip_pricing