Marriott now gives you the option to see all-in pricing when making a reservation earlier in the search process than the final payment screen. Are we supposed to cheer for what should have always been the case?
Oh, it’s good news. I’d even call it a step in the right direction. But this sort of transparent pricing should be required from the very start. It should be the default display. Always. All the time. So called “resort fees” or “destination fees” (more aptly named tax avoidance mechanisms) and even government taxes are part of the price.
How is it remotely reasonable to advertise a rate of $342, $224, and $166 when the actual rates are $459, $267, and $228?
Current default pricing display:
Actual pricing:
At least now you can click on the “show rates with taxes and all fees” button at the top of the search page and you’ll get an actual idea about the cost. This can greatly help in determining whether it makes sense to use points or not at any particular property.
Failing to display all-in pricing is deceptive pricing. Six years ago I made the same argument, stating “this is deception; bait and switch to get me to click through, knowing full well that had the real price been shown, I would not have clicked through.”
It was true then and is true today.
Pizza in Motion wonders whether “resort fees will take a back seat in the recession we find ourselves wading into.” I doubt it. That’s why we need more transparent pricing now.
Lets hope that when the hotels inevitably come crawling for their handout, there are some solid strings attached like the “truth in pricing” bill with the airlines. Competition for consumer’s money is going to be fierce….finally. I’m sorry that it took this but it’s about time that the shoe is on the other foot!
Ummm no offense but, what’s your point? It’s a given taxes aren’t included on purchases in the united states and everyone knows bases salary for tipped employees has been 2.13 for ever….people want to be disruptors without basic knowledge of the subject. As well is Marriott a budget Brand? Nope
Oh Lucian, I’m sorry unemployment is hard.
Resort fees are not shared tips. Resort fees are not consistent nor always applied, therefore they should be transparent. Taxes are not determined by the hotel nor are other mandated govt. fees. All US residents know this.
Need Congressional legislation like you have with the airlines, but then you’ll probably end up with de-bundling of services in the same manner…. Want housekeeping? That’s $20/night.
I don’t think you’d see too much unbundling given most hotels that would do it (full service hotels) already have a ton of it happening. Maybe some things like the pool or gym, but most places that would unbundle either have a mediocre pool that would never be used, or the pool is a big reason people go (such as in Orlando) and it would cause backlash in reviews and on-site.
But yes, it would likely take an act of Congress to get hotels to show an all-in price (or at the very least, a price reflective of all mandatory charges imposed by the hotel).
This is a good move. Sad that this is not the default view!
Nothing will change, unless they’re dragged..screaming and kicking…to it. It’s always been: screw the consumer in every legal way possible: honesty, integrity, ethics be damned. Then begging, cap in hand, for government help to bail out shareholders, despite the fact they’ve made a huge return on investment. Once that’s achieved it will be back to business as usual, ie, finding every mechanism to squeeze the last dime out of customers.
“Pocket the profits, socialise the losses”
The people have an opportunity to refuse to allow the status quo to continue. Demand fairness in all economic transactions. Demand your politicians to behave responsibly. Demand your politicians to pass laws to benefit those who have been repeatedly lie to and cheated. Vote your Republican senators out of office.
The transparency of hotels pricing should be regulated just as much as flights. Counting on corporations doing the right thing will very least likely to work out (in any timely manner)
I see a very gloomy future for the overall travel industry. It will take a long time for people to start traveling again at least the way it used to be. Even when this crisis is over there are multiple factors that will make people think twice before traveling. First, people will have less money to spend and many people are being laid off or furloughed during this crisis. Also, many people are losing savings that were invested. Second, people will be worried for a long time when leaving home. Is the plane clean? Is the hotel room clean? Can I get the virus? People will be panicking no matter what after all this. Third, business travel will never be the same. Companies wasted tons of money on stupid trips for face to face meetings, conferences, etc.. that really did not need to happen. I personally can say that a lot of my business travel was unnecessary but I was told to do. Now, people are doin business online, using video conferencing, etc… People will learn that not all the face to face meetings are really necessary. Thus, I expect business travel to be reduced after the crisis. Now, all the above will really affect airlines and hotels so unless they pamper customers they are in deep trouble. I will not pay stupid resort fees. I will look for a hotel that does not charge that. Hotels better start being nice again or they will shut down.