| Many of us have walked away from a hotel desk | | | | not have to tip for service separately if you don't |
| without checking the hotel bill and paying the bill | | | | wish to. |
| blindly. According to an administrator of a leading | | | | 5. Know whether or not the food and drink kept in |
| company, " a company could save thousands of | | | | the room is free or will be billed to you. While some |
| dollars by reconciling hotel bills." For both the business | | | | hotels offer a fruit basket or welcome drink free |
| traveler and personal traveler an aspect of travel | | | | others charge the customer for whatever is used. |
| that is becoming a growing problem is hotel over | | | | 6. Many hotels charge greater amounts for room |
| billing. Corporate management consultants found that | | | | service. For example breakfast eaten in the coffee |
| people over pay hotels in excess of USD 1.8 million | | | | shop may be cheaper than if it is served in your |
| everyday. The billing error rates are known to be as | | | | room. Some do mention this fact on the room |
| high as 25 %. | | | | service menu. |
| To save on hotel bills you the business or personal | | | | Many hotels bill clients for facilities they may never |
| traveler must know: | | | | use or don't know of. Many travelers have been |
| 1. Always find out what the room rate should be. Do | | | | forced to pay larger bills because of the presence of |
| a comparison of rates. Many hotel directories on the | | | | an Olympic size pool, gym, or internet connection. |
| internet encourage travelers to find out what actual | | | | It is to your advantage if you insist that the hotel |
| rates are. And, get the rate in writing at the time of | | | | disclose upfront all charges and costs including taxes |
| booking a room. | | | | and surcharge before you check in. This way you will |
| 2. If you are booking on a corporate rate or a | | | | not be in for any surprises when you settle the bill. |
| package find out what the package includes. When | | | | And unlike other fields where consumer protection is |
| paying the bill ensure that items that were supposed | | | | in place the hotel and travel industry do not have any |
| to be free are not billed for, like a free meal or use | | | | watchdogs that guide hapless consumers. Most travel |
| of the spa.If the booking included one night free | | | | articles do not address the "dark side" of travel as |
| ensure that it is actuality free and not charged. | | | | the incentives and sops offered by the industry are |
| 3. Find out before you check in what the | | | | great temptations. To set right wrongs a concerted |
| nonnegotiable surcharges are. Many charge for use of | | | | effort must be made by travelers--they can writ |
| the phone, room safe, and resort pool. | | | | forums, blog posts, and more all over the World |
| 4. Many large hotels add a service charge to your bill. | | | | Wide Web and create a consortium that will wage a |
| This means the tip is included in the bill and you do | | | | war against unfair practices and over billing. |