Marriott hotels won't stop hotels from this sneaky practice

Hotel resort fees have been at the forefront of conversation for the last year.

Mar 31, 2025 - 21:10

Marriott hotels won't stop hotels from this sneaky practice

As with airline status, loyalty to a large hotel network will pay off with perks that begin at automatic late checkout and can with enough planning lead to free nights or even an entire vacation.

Hilton (HLT) , Hyatt (H) and Marriott (MAR) all have loyalty programs in which one accumulates points based on every dollar spent with the chain; higher tiers will lead to faster points-collection while points can then be used as currency toward future stays.

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Paying with points? You may still need to watch out for the resort fee at these hotels

When one pays for a room with cash, the three major chains also charge a resort fee. After former President Joseph Biden pushed for greater disclosure, Hyatt, Hilton and Marriott started including theirs as part of the nightly rate.

As first reported by website View From The Wing, the first two chains do not charge resort fees on stays booked with points while Marriott leaves it up to the individual hotels — each can choose to either add or not add it to the final bill.

"In fact, it's in the basic franchise agreement that hotels must meet certain criteria in order to charge this fee," writes VFTW's Gary Leff. "Marriott has the right to tell hotels not to charge one and Marriott has the right to waive these fees for Bonvoy elite members."

In its digital terms of service, Marriott states that "nightly resort fees may apply" but leaves the specifics vague.

Vacationers in a swimming pool at the Hyatt Regency Maui are seen.
Shutterstock

That 'may vary by location'? Keep an eye out for it

"Upon check-in, your card issuing bank will place a hold on your debit or credit card for room & tax charges, any applicable resort fees, plus an amount for incidentals per day for the entire stay (may vary by location)," the policy reads.

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On its own website, Hyatt specifies that any resort fees are "waived on free night awards". While this only applies to those registered in the World of Hyatt loyalty program, this is something one would already have to be in if collecting and paying with points.

Hilton, in turn, states that resort fees can range between $25 to $45 per night depending on type of property but do not apply to any free nights received either as a perk or purchased with points.

"The Free Night Reward includes all applicable resort fees and taxes on the cost of the room for the redeemed night," Hilton's website reads.

Marriott's policy, in turn, has certain requirements for hotels to charge such fees but most are part of the structure for how the hotel needs to be operated to fall within its brand. Once that is met, Marriott generally does not stop individual hotels from charging extra fees on rooms booked either with cash or points (these resort fees are a core part of the chain's business model.)

"If we approve your application, you must offer guests complimentary services and amenities with a retail value that is at least four times greater than the destination or resort fee charged," the franchise agreement that is given out to individual hotels reads. "You may be prohibited from charging destination and resort fees to certain tiers of loyalty program rewards members that stay at your hotel."