The Worst Hotel Scams

Hotel bills can hold suprising and unexpected charges unless you think twice before taking advantage of a hotel's convenient services

• The Minibar
  Late at night, after the bar other amenities are closed, the thought of raiding minibar can be tempting. Think twice before you do. Do you seriously want to spend $7 for a soda? How about $12 for a shot of cheap vodka? Then there's that tray of candy bars and other snacks the hotel has generously provided. A candy bar could cost you $4 or more. Do you still want it that badly? Go ahead, it's up to you. But be aware that you will pay through the nose for each and every item you decide to consume. Make sure you scan your hotel bill for unexpected minibar charges. It's a common error hotels make that can cost you a fortune.
  
  
• The Phone
  If you think the minibar is a ripoff consider what hotels charge for the use of their phones. A simple phone call can cost you 4 times what it costs and that sometimes includes local calls. It may not even matter if you're using a calling card. You'll be charged for simply picking up the phone and using it any any way unless it's an internal call. All I can say is thank God for cell phones. Do whatever you can to avoid using the hotel's phone.
  
  
• Parking
  The hotel has you by the "you know what's" here. Where else are you going to park? It's going to hurt ($20 - $30 - $50 a day!) but your car will be safe and you won't have to travel a great distance between your car and the hotel. If you're on vacation you don't want to waste it walking between the car and hotel. If you end up parking on the street, which can be the only option, make sure you let the hotel know which car is yours. You might get some advice, a warning, or even a special permit.
  
  
• Breakfast
  If you can decline a hotel's breakfast for a reduction in your room charge take advantage of the option. "Why not take advantage of the breakfast", you ask? It will most likely consist of muffins, cereal, fruit and a cup of coffee and cost you as much as $10. For that you could get something a lot nicer almost anywhere else for that much. I'm think eggs, sausage and a latte. If you're stuck with the "free" continental breakfast, load up and take some back to your room for a snack later.
  
  
• Laundry
  If you thought the minibar and phone were expensive you are going to love this. Would anyone in their right mind pay as much to clean their clothes as they cost brand new? That's how much some hotels charge for this convenient service. Sometimes there is an indication of how much a laundry service is going to cost you per item. You should take a good look and think about it. If you're in a country where pricing is done in their own curency the actual cost could be uncertain. You might be paying $1.00 or more to have your socks washed. Drying them might incur an additional fee! Find a local laundromat or carry detergent with you so you can wash a few clothing items and line dry them in your room. Even if you prefer the convenience of having the hotel do it, be aware that it may wind up as a hefty fee on your final bill.
  
  
• Taxes
  Be aware that some listed hotels prices include taxes and others do not. Many European hotel rates include a national VAT (Value Added Tax) or national sales tax for all intents and purposes. This is not always the case. Hotels in some countries advertise rates that don't include taxes. They want their rates to be as attractive as possible to attract sales. It isn't illegal, but it is often done to obfuscate a room's true rate. In addition, the tax could be as much as 17% as it is in Britain or 22% in the Czech Republic. Those may be extreme examples but illistrate how much more you might find on your hotel bill than you expected.