No doubt. They are trying to pad the bill. I have no complaints with charges for people, who leave a place looking like pigs lived there. However, I also object the detailed list of things required by a vacation rental that should be covered with the original cleaning fee. I don’t feel that I should be washing the sheets and towels for them. I always pick up and leave a clean kitchen and strip beds and leave a place neat. I don’t expect additional fees.
I would recommend that you take a video of your room, rental car, etc when you leave/return same. I have done so for a few years now and remove them if I have not heard of any issues within three months.
I do, too, but isn't it sad that we have to? Although the Lyft thing is new to me, I haven't taken video of rides in the past. Guess I had better start!
Another type of fee just occurred when using Hyatt points at the Vienna Belevedere. We were charged 35 Euros per person for a standard breakfast buffet. No chef cooking extras, just cereal and eggs and some fruit. The topper was that we weren’t told we would be charged! Adding to the trouble was when $120 U.S. cash was stolen from our in-room safe.
Sounds like a place with lousy management. A good place for others to avoid, after your comments. In a different experience at a different hotel in which I stayed with points: The "Grab and go breakfast" menu began with a fruit bowl for $25. Imagine the other items. The good news: the Lounge breakfast was "free" (included) and featured a full breakfast as you describe. Not $35. So I left a cash tip for the team.
I agree but they weren’t in this case and I thought the high price was to offset my use of points to pay for the room. I am currently in Paris and the hotel also charges for breakfast, 18 Euros per person for a decidedly modest offering that we have skipped after trying it once. Just another example of fees.
After a car rental of several days, I take it through a drive through car wash and vacuum the inside just before before returning it.I think of it as both a courtesy and insurance against being dinged. Also with places I stay - I leave dishes washed and the place looking reasonably clean. Never has a problem in decades of travel. Fingers crossed:)))
I've been a long time subscriber and have come to the conclusion that I will do anything to avoid car rental companies and Airbnb. Too many problems. Hotels for me. I am forced to use Lyft or Uber of course if I don't rent a car in a city, but oh well.
It seems since Covid, in particular, hotels have been giving less cleaning service (ie.every three days) and expecting that there won’t be excess garbage and such. We always try to be neat so that the housekeeper won’t have an overwhelming task. This we find more in the US versus our travels abroad. America has become such a transactional society. Service means nothing. You are charged the same. I can understand people feeling disgusted and wanting people to clean up after them but ultimately we are each responsible for our actions.
We have not rented a car in a few years but will be this summer. We have always inspected the vehicle before leaving rental company & sounds like we should take pictures this time.
Regarding planes, we have seen many a time that the business & first class, a mess- blankets etc on the floor, not to mention the trash. Not sure occupants could tell they left any personal items behind with the mess.
Again hotel rooms are left with nothing on furniture tops, towels in a pile where they want them.
Unfortunately some people are pigs & don’t care of who has to clean up their mess.
We rented a car from an individual in Maui this past winter. The owner walked around the car and accepted it. The next day we received a text saying, after we were home, he just found a new dent and it would cost $800 to fix but he would split the cost with us to repair the dent. So it would be $400.00. The pictures he sent were very questionable. My husband said no that he himself had inspected the car and accepted it. The owner then said he would have to turn us into TURO. We have not heard anymore. Another funny thing he delivered the car to us with the front quite smashed. He stated that someone had just backed into him and he had not had time to get it repaired. He said it was fine to drive. What were we supposed to do when he picked us up from the airport and we had no other options at that very moment. In retrospect, we should have refused the car and suffered through finding an alternative. Wow, lesson learned, be careful out there. We have rented for the last five years from TOURO and never had any problems.
Planes: I fly 1st or business, and I haven't seen many messes. One of the reasons for flying this way.
Rental cars of all types: Take pictures inside and out religiously! The junk fees are a constant problem and have been for awhile.
No doubt. They are trying to pad the bill. I have no complaints with charges for people, who leave a place looking like pigs lived there. However, I also object the detailed list of things required by a vacation rental that should be covered with the original cleaning fee. I don’t feel that I should be washing the sheets and towels for them. I always pick up and leave a clean kitchen and strip beds and leave a place neat. I don’t expect additional fees.
I would recommend that you take a video of your room, rental car, etc when you leave/return same. I have done so for a few years now and remove them if I have not heard of any issues within three months.
I do, too, but isn't it sad that we have to? Although the Lyft thing is new to me, I haven't taken video of rides in the past. Guess I had better start!
Great advice. I also have done the same for years. It’s worth the small investment of time.
Another type of fee just occurred when using Hyatt points at the Vienna Belevedere. We were charged 35 Euros per person for a standard breakfast buffet. No chef cooking extras, just cereal and eggs and some fruit. The topper was that we weren’t told we would be charged! Adding to the trouble was when $120 U.S. cash was stolen from our in-room safe.
Sounds like a place with lousy management. A good place for others to avoid, after your comments. In a different experience at a different hotel in which I stayed with points: The "Grab and go breakfast" menu began with a fruit bowl for $25. Imagine the other items. The good news: the Lounge breakfast was "free" (included) and featured a full breakfast as you describe. Not $35. So I left a cash tip for the team.
Breakfasts are usually included in European hotels.
I agree but they weren’t in this case and I thought the high price was to offset my use of points to pay for the room. I am currently in Paris and the hotel also charges for breakfast, 18 Euros per person for a decidedly modest offering that we have skipped after trying it once. Just another example of fees.
After a car rental of several days, I take it through a drive through car wash and vacuum the inside just before before returning it.I think of it as both a courtesy and insurance against being dinged. Also with places I stay - I leave dishes washed and the place looking reasonably clean. Never has a problem in decades of travel. Fingers crossed:)))
I've been a long time subscriber and have come to the conclusion that I will do anything to avoid car rental companies and Airbnb. Too many problems. Hotels for me. I am forced to use Lyft or Uber of course if I don't rent a car in a city, but oh well.
What? Ryanair didn't get a mention!
Oh, I need to remedy that! Story to come.
Can't wait! I'm all agog.
It seems since Covid, in particular, hotels have been giving less cleaning service (ie.every three days) and expecting that there won’t be excess garbage and such. We always try to be neat so that the housekeeper won’t have an overwhelming task. This we find more in the US versus our travels abroad. America has become such a transactional society. Service means nothing. You are charged the same. I can understand people feeling disgusted and wanting people to clean up after them but ultimately we are each responsible for our actions.
We have not rented a car in a few years but will be this summer. We have always inspected the vehicle before leaving rental company & sounds like we should take pictures this time.
Regarding planes, we have seen many a time that the business & first class, a mess- blankets etc on the floor, not to mention the trash. Not sure occupants could tell they left any personal items behind with the mess.
Again hotel rooms are left with nothing on furniture tops, towels in a pile where they want them.
Unfortunately some people are pigs & don’t care of who has to clean up their mess.
We rented a car from an individual in Maui this past winter. The owner walked around the car and accepted it. The next day we received a text saying, after we were home, he just found a new dent and it would cost $800 to fix but he would split the cost with us to repair the dent. So it would be $400.00. The pictures he sent were very questionable. My husband said no that he himself had inspected the car and accepted it. The owner then said he would have to turn us into TURO. We have not heard anymore. Another funny thing he delivered the car to us with the front quite smashed. He stated that someone had just backed into him and he had not had time to get it repaired. He said it was fine to drive. What were we supposed to do when he picked us up from the airport and we had no other options at that very moment. In retrospect, we should have refused the car and suffered through finding an alternative. Wow, lesson learned, be careful out there. We have rented for the last five years from TOURO and never had any problems.
As I’ve written before, the hotel industry has already made dogs a revenue source, often with outrageous fees. This is their latest rip off.