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0 pointsAlex39177y ago0 comments

> Also, it's unfair to characterize it as a scam if it's printed clearly in the costs.

It isn't, which is why I posted the video showing that.

On the screen you can very clearly see:

  Room (1 Night): $180
  Taxes & Fees: $32
  Total: $221

The resort fee isn't included in any of those. They put it in fine print thats hidden below the Apple Pay button. But they designed the UI to make it so that the Payment button is flush with the bottom of the screen in order to hide the fact that the fine print is even there.

In other words, they're purposely trying to hide the fact that the page is scrollable or that there is more content (the fine print) after the fold, and are trying to lead the buyer to believe that they already have the full pricing information before hitting the Pay button.

If the fine print that included the resort fee was above the Payment button then that would be one thing, but it's purposely designed so that you can't even see that the fine print even exists.

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jonknee7y ago

Well it's because they aren't charging you the resort fee, the hotel does that. They itemize what you're actually paying for... Just like they mention, but don't charge you for parking ahead of time. That's up to the hotel.

Anyway, the UI is different now and in big type it says "Due Now" with the resort fee mentioned under that. I personally didn't find it confusing before, but it's now quite clear.

Alex3917OP7y ago

> don't charge you for parking ahead of time.

But hotels don't charge you a parking fee if you don't park there. Whereas they won't let you check into the hotel unless you pay the "resort fee".

Again I have no problem with hotels charging part of the price upon check in, but it's super unethical for Hotel Tonight to:

A) advertise hotels based on prices you can't actually get a room for

B) do everything possible to hide the fact that the hotel won't actually let you check in without paying an additional fee (sometimes hundreds of dollars) until you've already made a large non-refundable payment

C) lie to people's credit card companies when they dispute the charges

This isn't a legitimate business, it's a criminal enterprise.

jak927y ago

what hotel charges a resort fee in the hundreds of dollars?

jak927y ago

Parking is optional Resort fee is not.

This isn't a difficult concept.

jonknee7y ago

It's also not a difficult concept that since you don't pay the fee to Hotel Tonight that they don't charge you that fee. Just like every other OTA in existence. It's a scummy business practice by hotels, but it's clearly outlined when you book the room.

goshx7y ago

"Resort Fee" is a made up fee to mislead customers and it is not the same as a parking fee.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 pointsAlex39177y ago0 comments

> Also, it's unfair to characterize it as a scam if it's printed clearly in the costs.

It isn't, which is why I posted the video showing that.

On the screen you can very clearly see:

  Room (1 Night): $180
  Taxes & Fees: $32
  Total: $221

If the fine print that included the resort fee was above the Payment button then that would be one thing, but it's purposely designed so that you can't even see that the fine print even exists.

0 comments

jonknee7y ago

Anyway, the UI is different now and in big type it says "Due Now" with the resort fee mentioned under that. I personally didn't find it confusing before, but it's now quite clear.

Alex3917OP7y ago

> don't charge you for parking ahead of time.

But hotels don't charge you a parking fee if you don't park there. Whereas they won't let you check into the hotel unless you pay the "resort fee".

Again I have no problem with hotels charging part of the price upon check in, but it's super unethical for Hotel Tonight to:

A) advertise hotels based on prices you can't actually get a room for

C) lie to people's credit card companies when they dispute the charges

This isn't a legitimate business, it's a criminal enterprise.

jak927y ago

what hotel charges a resort fee in the hundreds of dollars?

jak927y ago

Parking is optional Resort fee is not.

This isn't a difficult concept.

jonknee7y ago

goshx7y ago

"Resort Fee" is a made up fee to mislead customers and it is not the same as a parking fee.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse