Hotel Fees Explained: How to Avoid Surprise Charges

We've all been there. You booked a deal that seemed almost too good to be true, only to be hit with surprise charges during check-in or check-out. Hotel fees can be frustrating and add up, turning a steal into a splurge and putting a damper on your vacation. Worst of all, it can make you feel like you don't have control over how much you're paying.

Fortunately, there's a way to fight back. Learn what common hotel fees might crop up on your bill and how to avoid them. Booking directly with the hotel and asking for a transparent breakdown of any hidden fees is one excellent way to save yourself stress and keep your bank account happy, but there are plenty more.

What Are Hotel Fees? 

Hotel fees can range from the dreaded resort fee to pet fees and everything in between. Often, these fees are nestled in the fine print and can occur during check-in, throughout your stay, or at check-out.

If you book through an online travel agency (OTA), such as Booking.com or Expedia, the prices may seem low, only to increase when it comes time to check in. Online travel agencies can charge booking fees that pop up when it's time to pay. You could also incur steep cancellation fees and change fees.

While not fees, hotels can put holds on your account, too, sometimes to the tune of several hundred dollars. These holds cover any damage to the room and are reversible, but it can take a few days for them to be removed from your bank balance.

Common Booking Fees From Hotels

From the standard to the downright shady, hotel fees vary widely. Let's dig into the most common ones so you can arrive prepared.

1. Resort fees

Resort fees, also known as destination fees, are additional costs that cover the expenses of hotel amenities, such as gyms or pools. The kicker is you'll incur these fees whether or not you actually use the facilities. 

According to Forbes Advisor, resort fees are often buried in the fine print, and you won't see them until after you book. If you're booking through an online travel agency rather than directly, you’re likely to miss it altogether. 

You might think that it seems underhanded to charge guests for services they don't use, and if you’re in the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would agree with you. In a recent ruling, the FTC determined the hotels had to include all fees in the final price. While this ruling might save you from resort fees in the United States, you still have to contend with them in many places outside the United States.

It’s important to note that some hotels will waive these fees for guests who book direct. 

2. Pet fees

We collectively love our pets. A Statista study reveals that over 50 percent of people consider pet-friendly policies and amenities to be very important when choosing an accommodation. The hotel industry has adapted, and the vast majority of hotels now allow you to bring your furry family along. This doesn't mean that there aren't pet costs associated with your travel. 

Sometimes, you'll find an additional charge for cleaning or a slight increase in the room rate. Some hotels charge an extra deposit. On the flip side, as the industry has become more pet-friendly, it's offering a range of boutique experiences for you and your best four-legged friend. For example, Boston's Liberty Hotel hosts a "Yappier Hour" with Benny, the Director of Pet Relations, who happens to be an adorable golden retriever.

3. Extra guests

Generally, hotels charge for extra guests, and unlike some hidden fees, this one is quite understandable. 

Extra guests mean more linens, complimentary water, tea, and coffee, as well as increased electricity usage. You can avoid a surprise extra guest fee by being transparent about the number of guests you have staying in the room when you book.

Common Booking Fees From Third-Party Platforms or Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)

While booking through an online travel agency might be convenient, you could find yourself facing unwanted fees at the check-in or check-out counter. 

4. Service fees and taxes

It's not uncommon for online travel agencies to charge service fees. You might not see them when you book that deal that looks great on the surface, but you'll certainly notice them when you arrive. 

Since online travel agencies are subject to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)'s rules on resort fees, you’ll see them already included in your bill if you're traveling in the United States. 

One way that online travel agencies get around the appearance of charging additional fees is by requiring hotels on their platforms to sign on to rigid price parity clauses, which mean the hotel is not allowed to display a lower public price on its own website or any other platform than the price it provides to the online travel agency. In these cases, the hotel is effectively absorbing the fees as part of the commission it pays to the online travel agency, sometimes as high as 30%.

But while they can’t display a public rate that is lower than what the online travel agency is displaying, hotels can often honor private rates that are lower. These private rates are usually gated behind a free member sign-up. So it’s always a good idea to check the hotel’s official website to see if a lower, private rate is available. These are also sometimes referred to as direct or member rates. Note that price parity clauses are now illegal in the EU, but remain legal in most of the rest of the world. 

5. Rigid cancellation and room change fees

One of the most significant benefits of booking directly is having the flexibility to change your plans as needed. Online travel agencies often have strict rules regarding changes or cancellations to your reservation and may impose hefty fees if you make a modification.

6. Cleaning fees

This one is a doozy, and it happens often with online travel agencies like Airbnb. Your nightly accommodation may seem completely reasonable until they tack on massive cleaning fees. 

Airbnb's sky-high cleaning fees were so notoriously expensive that people accused them of being misleading. According to Business Insider, Airbnb responded by including the cleaning fees in the total price. However, you need to click on the listing to see the cleaning fee details.

Other Hotel Fees You May Incur During Your Stay

Some hotels go beyond the extra guest or pet fees with additional fees that will catch most travelers off guard. The best way to mitigate these situations is to read reviews ahead of time and always ask if there are any hidden fees you need to be aware of.

7. Cancellation fees

Although hotels are more flexible than online travel agencies regarding cancellations, cancellation fees are still applicable, especially if you cancel at the last minute. 

Some hotels will even charge you a full night's stay. Having a good relationship with the hotel and being a loyalty rewards member can help in these instances. Sometimes, hotels will look the other way and give a grace period for extenuating circumstances.

8. Newspaper and wifi fees

At some hotels, the complimentary newspaper isn't exactly as advertised. While not common, some hotels will charge you for your daily news. 

You may also encounter a daily flat rate for using the wifi. Charging for the internet is not common, but it's always worth asking if there’s a wifi fee before you use it.

9. Towels

Fancy a dip in the pool? Don't assume that the fluffy terry cloth towel is free. Some hotels charge extra for clean pool towels. To avoid a fee, consider packing your own towel or asking about towel fees when booking.

10. Parking

Parking is another area where hotels can add on an extra cost. On-site parking can be convenient if you're staying in a big-city hotel where you'd have to pay to park anyway, but sometimes guests without cars or no intention of parking on-site will find themselves charged a parking fee. If you’re not looking to use the hotel’s parking, double-check the parking fee policy before you book. 

How to Avoid or Minimize Hotel and Hotel Booking Fees

Now that you know what the surprise charges are, how do you minimize them? These simple steps can give you some peace of mind and save you a hassle at check-in or check-out.

Book your hotel directly

Booking directly is the easiest way you can minimize fees. You'll save on service fees and have more flexibility if you need to change, cancel, or upgrade. You can also leverage your loyalty membership to get deals. The problem is that it can be tedious and time-consuming to review all the properties in the area. 

DirectBooker is working to solve that problem by developing AI-powered tools that connect verified hotel data to conversational AI platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini. These integrations will make it easier for travelers to compare transparent, direct prices and avoid hidden OTA fees, without losing the convenience of a one-stop search experience.

Read the fine print

The devil is often in the details. If you find a deal that seems way too good to be true, it probably is. Reading the fine print and inquiring about any hidden fees before booking is a good way to protect yourself. You can also read reviews and look out for hotels with red flags or a lack of transparency.

Use your hotel loyalty membership

When you book your hotel directly, you can take advantage of your hotel loyalty membership. You can enjoy upgrades, late check-out, or free nights. If there are extra charges for parking or pets, you can sometimes leverage your membership to have them waived or reduced. 

Save Yourself Stress and Surprise Charges

You can't control everything that happens on the road, but you can anticipate surprise charges if you know what to look for. Minimize or eliminate padded prices, and you'll have a far smoother trip.

Sources

Elliott, Christopher. “Hotels Charge Parking Fees Even If You Don’t Have a Car. Here’s How to Fight Them.” Oregon Live, 10 Feb 2024. www.oregonlive.com/travel/2024/02/hotels-charge-parking-fees-even-if-you-dont-have-a-car-heres-how-to-fight-them.html. 

Johnson, Holly. “How to Avoid Hotel and Resort Fees.” Forbes, 13 May 2025, www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/travel-rewards/how-to-avoid-hotel-and-resort-fees/.

Nguyen, Stephanie T. “FTC Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees to Take Effect on May 12, 2025.” Federal Trade Commission, 8 May 2025, www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/05/ftc-rule-unfair-or-deceptive-fees-take-effect-may-12-2025. 

Nguyen, Britteny. “Airbnb Is Adding Cleaning Fees to a New 'Total Price’ of Bookings in Search Results after People Complained Listings Were Misleading.” Business Insider Nederland, 7 Nov. 2022, www.businessinsider.nl/airbnb-is-adding-cleaning-fees-to-a-new-total-price-of-bookings-in-search-results-after-people-complained-listings-were-misleading/. 

“Pet-Friendly Hotels.” Consumer Reports, www.consumerreports.org/video/view/home-garden/pets/800753767001/pet-friendly-hotels/. 

Statista Research Department. “Leisure Travel: Importance of Pet-Friendly Policies U.S. 2014.” Statista, 2 Jan. 2015, www.statista.com/statistics/380535/importance-of-pet-friendly-policies-to-leisure-travelers-us/. 

“The Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees: Frequently Asked Questions” | Federal Trade Commission, www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/rule-unfair-or-deceptive-fees-frequently-asked-questions.

Zhang, Lu, et al. “Attributes of Pet-Friendly Hotels: What Matters to Consumers?” International Journal of Hospitality Management, Pergamon, 3 Oct. 2024, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278431924002561.

Elizabeth Lavis

Elizabeth Lavis is a travel journalist and co-author of four Lonely Planet guidebooks, with bylines in HuffPost, Business Insider, American Way, and TripAdvisor. She writes about responsible travel, local culture, and off-the-beaten-path destinations around the world.

Our editorial process: DirectBooker curates insights from global hospitality experts and our network of industry insiders. Articles undergo rigorous fact-checking and quality review before publication, ensuring authentic, actionable advice for savvy travelers.