How to Avoid Pet Fees at Hotels: 9 Tips

You can forget about leaving your fur baby behind at the vet while you jet set to your next vacation. Research from Global Market Insights indicates that the pet-friendly hotel market is valued at nearly $5 billion and is projected to continue growing at a rate of 10% annually. Many pet-friendly hotels charge a pet fee for four-legged guests, but that doesn’t mean you can’t avoid paying the fees when appropriate. We’ve sniffed out the best ways to avoid pet fees below.

What Are Pet Fees at Hotels?

Pet fees are additional charges for accommodating pets during your hotel stay. Pets require extra services to maintain hotel cleanliness. These fees are often charged for cleaning, room maintenance, and help cover potential damage risk.

These are the most common types of pet fees your hotel might charge for bringing your pet(s):

• Pet deposit (one-time fee)

• Nightly pet fee

• Fees for additional pets (over the hotel’s limit)

Before booking a pet-friendly hotel, review the pet policies for pet size, breed restrictions, and the number of pets allowed to avoid additional charges.

Pet-Friendly vs. No-Pet-Fee Hotels

More hotels are opening their doors to furry guests. Only a segment of these pet-friendly hotels can be classified as no-pet-fee hotels. Most pet-friendly hotels charge pet fees. No-pet-fee hotels waive associated pet charges, making them a better value for travelers with pets. 

These options are especially appealing for longer stays, where nightly pet fees can add up quickly. They also provide more transparent pricing, so guests know exactly what to expect before booking. And even at hotels that do charge pet fees, there are a few ways travelers can sometimes avoid them, depending on the brand’s loyalty perks or specific booking policies.

Tips for Avoiding or Waiving Pet Fees at Hotels

These tips will reveal how to avoid pet fees on your next hotel stay.

Book your hotel directly

Direct booking allows hotels to offer the best rates. Waiving pet fees is one way hotels pass on discounts to guests who book directly. It’s one of the perks that encourage guests to use direct booking channels instead of third-party booking platforms. This strategy works best with pet-friendly hotels only.

Soon, tools like DirectBooker will make this even easier, helping travelers compare verified hotel rates and amenities, and connect directly with the property through conversational AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. That means you’ll be able to confirm details such as pet friendliness and fees without ever leaving the conversation.

Choose a hotel with no pet fees

Some pet-friendly hotels don’t even charge a pet fee. These hotels are a much smaller segment than a general search for pet-friendly hotels. 

Hotels with no pet fee still require guests to note that they’re bringing a pet when making a reservation, so make sure to read the hotel’s pet policy before you book. The no pet fee rule may apply only to a limited number of pets or to pets that meet specific size requirements.

Travel with smaller pets

Your pet’s size impacts the fees charged. From the hotel’s perspective, larger pets require more cleaning than smaller ones. They are also more likely to cause damage or disturbances if not properly trained. 

Traveling with smaller pets increases the likelihood of fees being waived or avoided. Many hotels list pet size allowances and note whether smaller pets are excluded from additional fees.

Register your pet as a service dog

Hotels in the US must abide by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It declassifies service animals as “pets” and requires hotels to permit them in all public spaces while assisting disabled persons. Guests must provide legal documentation identifying their pet as a service animal to qualify for the exemption. Note that this rule only applies to service animals and guests with disabilities.

Present documentation for an emotional support animal

Emotional support animals (ESAs) aid persons with mental and psychiatric disabilities. These animals aren’t protected under the ADA rule, so hotels aren’t required to waive pet fees for them. However, proper documentation or a letter from a licensed mental health professional can help persuade the hotel representative to waive pet fees during your stay.

Travel during the off-season

Hotels are much more flexible during the off-season compared to the busy season. Pet fees help limit the number of furry visitors during high demand. Hotels that experience a decline in guests during off-seasons (think winter at a beach destination or summer at a winter resort) are more likely to waive pet fees to attract more guests.

Stay at a smaller boutique hotel instead of a chain hotel

Chain hotels are major corporations with pet policies that span an entire portfolio of properties. On the contrary, boutique hotels have less “red tape” the front desk attendant has to go through to approve a guest request to waive pet fees. You’re more likely to reach the decision-maker at a boutique property than a chain hotel.

Find hotel promotions with waived fees

Browse the hotel’s current promotions to find deals on waived pet fees. Hotels offering limited-time pet packages may include waived daily pet fees. Booking your stay during the eligible period will help you avoid the hotel’s standard pet fees. It’s an excellent opportunity to stay at your favorite pet-friendly hotels without the hassle of paying pet fees.

Ask nicely

Don’t underestimate the power of asking your hotel politely. You can make a request before or after booking, but have the best chance before checking in. Speak with the front desk attendant about the fees when you arrive, and they may accept your request. Showing your pet is well-behaved or within certain measurements is always helpful.

It’s best to have written communication (either a note on your reservation or email) about the waived fees in case you’re still charged at the end of your stay.

Popular Chains That Don’t Charge Pet Fees

There are a few chain hotels that don’t charge pet fees. Check out these pet-friendly hotel chains so you can confidently book a stay with your pet. 

Kimpton Hotels

This IHG hotel brand is one of the most pet-friendly luxury hotels. There are 80+ properties worldwide, and each is equipped with comforts to make your pet truly feel like a guest—and free of charge. It accommodates pets of all sizes and provides dog beds, water bowls, welcome doggy treats, and other pet-preferred amenities.

Red Roof Inn

If you’re traveling in the Midwest, South, or Eastern region of the US, you’re never far from one of the more than 600 Red Roof Inn properties. It’s a reliable, cheap hotel option that even lets you save when traveling with your pet. The first pet is always free during your stay, but there’s a small pet fee for each additional pet.

Motel 6

Motel 6 is no secret for budget-conscious travelers, especially with more than 1,300 locations dotting North America. Guests can expect the same pet-friendly policy at each property: cats and dogs stay free!

There’s only one stipulation for your pet to qualify: they must be well-behaved. And with “outside” right outside your doorway, it’s an excellent option for those late-night bathroom breaks.

Virgin Hotels

Leap across the pond with your pet at Virgin Hotels, where they’re treated to complimentary stays. It has eight locations in the United Kingdom and the United States, so you can explore destinations like Chicago, London, Edinburgh, and Las Vegas with your pet. All sizes and breeds are welcome.

Virgin Hotels NYC and New Orleans are the only exceptions to the rule. They charge a one-time pet fee.

Bvlgari Hotel

Pets who love to be pampered will enjoy their pet-fee-free stay at the luxurious Bvlgari Hotel chain. Its properties in Milan, London, Rome, Paris, and Tokyo create the Bvlgari Pet Club collection—and no pet fees is just the beginning. These hotel locations feature expanded pet amenities, including dog beds, pet toys, a dog brush, and a dog bowl.

This curated pet hotel experience is only reserved for small dogs and cats up to 10kg.

Pet-Friendly Travel Minus the Pet Fees

Travelers who are used to paying pet fees have found a few smart ways to cut those costs, and in some cases, get them waived entirely at pet-friendly hotels. These strategies can help you save on your stay even if a property normally charges a fee. Or, skip the hassle altogether and choose a hotel chain that never charges pet fees. Either way, fewer fees mean more room in your budget for actual pet-friendly fun on your next trip.

Bryan Shelmon

Bryan Shelmon is a travel writer with bylines in Lonely Planet, Midwest Living, and Wanderlust, known for immersive storytelling shaped by long-term travel across 25+ countries. He combines a background in business with nearly a decade of freelance experience, collaborating with tourism boards and capturing culture through art, language, and local exploration.

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.