Sometimes it’s just about being nickel-and-dimed. That’s why this Hawaii hotel surcharge even surprised us.
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Sometimes it’s just about being nickel-and-dimed. That’s why this Hawaii hotel surcharge even surprised us.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Hello. What is a “tree fee” ?
Fes, fees and more fees. Its seems neverending.
Consider this as well: The total cost for the hotel for the week, $3263 USD, converts to $4351 CAD with our sad Canadian dollar.
Very sadly, I cannot even consider visiting Hawaii any longer. It is quite discouraging.
Thanks for posting this BOH! I was shocked to see it for myself…I travel to Maui and Oahu frequently, but I always read the fine print. It would be great if hotels would simply tell us the total upfront. Thanks for doing what you do!
Hi Mary.
Thanks. We appreciate your numerous comments!
Aloha.
I thought it was against credit card policies to charge more for using a credit card??? You either adjusting pricing and accept it, or do not accept it at all??? I know stores will do it on transactions under a certain amount (which is still against their regulation). As a travel agent we thought about accepting credit cards directly, but did not because of this. Maybe in the new era of Square and the others this has changed?
Mahalo for this analysis! Sneaky – burying it in the fine print. I think cc charge back will become more common especially for premium cards which give points, etc. Bank fees are high, especially for small businesses. For a Canadian, now add 35% exchange rate. Just returned from Maui where if you check out of your condo at 9 am, no street parking in Kihei, possible daily Beach fee even if you’re only there a few hours. We wandered all day til our flight left at midnight. I’d love to explore Hawaii more but just too expensive. I’ll view the beach cams and surfing videos on YouTube. Love your newsletter.
Hi Nancy.
Thanks. Happy travels.
Aloha.
No wonder that people have lived leaving hotels for more and often much nicer stays in home share properties. Hotels are simply just “asking” people to go elsewhere with their ridiculous fees… personally, I won’t ever book a hotel with a resort fee! Ever!
Aloha. Thank you for the information. This is the reason we decided against a quick mid-week visit last fall. Too bad. We’ve been to Oahu three times prior, when it was much more affordable. Maybe another time.
Your surcharges will end up being a 63% increase over your regular room rate. But that does include a completely ridiculous parking rate fee.
Anyone ever try doing a trail booking on one of the big OTA’s?
I see things like a “Utility” fee, a Tourism fee, Environmental fee, Conservation fee. These are from the OTA’s
I wonder how that gets worked into the Alohilani charges.
Amazing how quickly everything adds up! The 2% was the least of the assault against your wallet, thankfully they didn’t charge for the pool and towels. A few years ago I stayed at a Hotel which will remain nameless and when it came time to check out we were very surprised. The Bill was on the floor, passed under the door as usual, but a notice on it stated that If you want a live person to check you out it would cost $50.00. I have Never stayed with that hotel chain again. So, BOH, it could be much worse.
You are killing Hawaii tourism !! Fee this Fee that …even the President said KNOCK IT OFF !!
Wow , that’s quite expensive for a week , have been staying in studio condo on the beach near the outrigger canoe club for a month every year and with taxes and cleaning fees it’s $4000 a month , actually right over the beach with great view of Waikiki beach across the water although just one mile away . What is the $5 a day tree fee? That $48 a day amenity fee is crazy , especially for people old enough to know why motel 6 is called motel 6. Yes , all rooms were $6 a night . When there are cruises this summer from California to hawaii and back (16 nights ) visiting 4 islands and for one person $2000 ( of course All the food you want and essentially a free hotel room on 4 islands ) these hawaii hotel rates are quite high
Which condo/building by the Outrigger? I may consider that in future. I don’t eat in waikiki on my yearly solo trip. I travel by bus which works out well, especially for senior ($1.25). Still my hotel (one back from ocean) is over $550 per night with fees. 10 nights is all I can afford! I would stay 3 weeks for $4,000!
Vote with your pocket book and don’t go to this and other places like it. They’re moving into scam territory now. In fact skip HI altogether and go to Mexico. Mexicans want you there and they are the kindest people I’ve met in any country.
This is starting to happen all over not just in Hawaii. On a recent eight day road trip through Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado, we ate in more than one restaurant that added a CC surcharge. It’s somewhat understandable with all the crazy price increases over the last two years and no end in sight.
If it were my business, I’d avoid the word “surcharge” and just call it a “discount for cash”. Still annoying and they aren’t fooling anyone, but then I don’t feel like I’m getting nickel and dimed as bad.
But a “discount for cash” is essentially the best way. They (the establishment) have increased prices across the board to account for credit card processing fees, so if you are paying cash – you should get a discount.
One would ordinarily expect this, however, we are speaking of the industry which values money, and political clout, above everything else. They might charge more for taking, the soon to not be reported, cash due to Safety and Security Concerns. In Hawaii there’s always the possibility of the unexpected at every Hotel and Resort. The Only places that I will pay in Cash are Food Venues, Vendors, and Roadside Smaller Businesses.
All these companies starting to post signs saying 2% or 3% fee to use a credit card. It’s really starting to annoy me to the point on the last mini “steak of blazes” I just left. We pay 6 figures a year in credit card processing fees, it’s part of business.
We look at it as the cost of convenience. Pay us cash, and you don’t pay the fees Or taxes.
Right, a “convenience fee”, lol! Actually, it’s a convenient way for the business to pass through the credit card fees to the consumer on behalf of the business.
Wow! Getting as bad as Vegas, some of the restaurants there like Beer Park charge a 4.8% concession fee. Valet parking used to be free, the buffets were cheap, lots of great deals and coupons, not anymore they nickle and dime you to death.
Hawaii is getting too expensive and they will end up killing a lot of tourism because of it. For us, it costs about $1000 a day with airfare, hotel/condo, car, food and activities.
😳
Yeah, Hawaii is taxing us to death!
You are both the best when it comes to travel communication-not to say you are not the best at other things; however for myself I rely on you to give me the most current and factual information. Many many mahalos!
Hi Pat.
Thank you! Where have you guys been – you’re missed.
Aloha.
I wish the Alohilani best of luck in the future. I guess I won’t be staying there anytime soon. Do the decision makers at the Alohilani understand the term “transparency”. Sheesh!
The creativity of fees charged by hotels is staggering. So what exactly is a Tree Fee?? Five bucks to not have your view blocked by a tree?? A slush fund for arboreal services on the hotel site…which should be covered by The Resort Fee?
No mention or explanation of fees on their website.
Bueller??? Bueller???
BTW… the optional “Tree Fee” that they are asking you to contribute to… you have to opt out in order to avoid it so it will automatically be added unless you tell them other wise.
I have a gorgeous vacation rental across from a beautiful swimming beach. No parking or resort fees! I can only rent it once a month so there is a 10 day minimum but so worth it.
This is what I always think every time I see one of these posts bemoaning hotel costs in Hawaii. Vacation rentals are sooo much cheaper than hotels in Hawaii. At least twice the space for half the cost!
Don’t just give up on Hawaii because of cost. Rent a legitimate short-term rental with great reviews, a kitchen, free parking, and lots of space!
PatG I enjoy what you have pointed out, there are viable, cost-effective, choices. If it were just 2 or possibly 3 traveling without a place to stay I would certainly avail myself of that type of accommodation. Whereas if I were traveling with several people I would look into Real STR’S because of the space needed to accommodate all of us. Cost Effective and Typical Resorts/Hotels just don’t seem to coincide nor give me what I would be seeking. Thanks PatG! Hopefully others will take Your Advice.
So people are going to start bringing cash…. leaving it in the in-room safe until check out.
The hotel is not going to want to have lots of cash on premises. They will have to pay for an armed bank transfer plus it puts the staffs safety at risk. Once word gets out they are accepting more cash, the bad guys will start doing bad things.
Save a ton of money and don’t rent a car or pay the hotel garage fees or even the fuel. Take an Uber from the airport and to any other destinations during your stay that are too far to walk or take a bus. It’s that simple.
I agree. I took Lyft from the airport as all the independent shuttle companies went under. Lyft is less expensive that the only shuttle that is left at Honolulu airport. Also, who needs a car in Waikiki? You can walk everywhere or take the public bus if you want to go further ….
We bought a timeshare… while I don’t like them, so far they haven’t penalized us like the resorts and hotels do. That might be an option for those who go back regularly like we do.
Same here. I said I’d never buy another timeshare again—at my age, it didn’t make sense. But adding all the ridiculous taxes and resort fees, it DID make sense, even if I get only a few years out of it. I have a granddaughter I like to visit and this is the only way I can financially afford to visit her.
unless you want to get rid of your timeshare one day…enjoy it while you can! For most people, timeshares are the wort investment they ever made. You probably haven’t owned it long enough to realize they don’t have the flexibility their promised and yes, their fees also go up.
Aloha! We purchased our first timeshare in 2004, and upgraded in 2009. We’ve visited 12 times since. Glad we have this timeshare because we’re in a small place right on the water, where we can watch whales cruise throughout the channel. I have plenty of choice to use, but we always go on our Valentine’s Day wedding anniversary except for two times due to my employer. Have never regretted buying, especially knowing how high even the cheaper hotels are.
I am glad it worked out for you. Met many timeshare owners who regretted buying one.
Mahalo & Aloha
It works for me. Actually I have 2 and can use them for even just one night and use points for hotels if the resort isn’t available One I’ve have for Many years and it has free parking! (I don’t rent a car, but my son can park his there.) Because I use them to visit family, and I have flexibility to travel when I want—not licked into certain high season vacation periods, I don’t have difficulty. The hard part is coordination with low airfares. But like I said, it works for me. Timeshares are not for everyone.
Aloha,
Well, you just nailed the “problem”; non room charges are 38% of the bill. On that basis, the 2% means a lot. I gave up the Hilton years ago because they wanted $15 per day for internet. I vote with my dollars. Wait for the 25% or so room tax you wrote about recently. Good Luck.
Mahalo
$457 a night total. I think they are shooting themselves in the foot. Double (two rooms) or more with children.
Stay at the kahala it’s 10 times the hotel and non of this bs. They’ll upgrade your room most of the time there’s no resort fee and usually you get room credits that will off set parking of $32 most times I’ve stayed the waive it. Plus often you can get the amazing breakfast buffet thrown in.
The Kahala is out if the way from everything. And the beach there isn’t that nice. There’s a reason for why it’s cheaper.
Actually it’s more expensive and there’s a reason it is :). They know how to treat their guest. Unless you desire to spend a week in Waikiki only and enjoy a 280 sqft closet I’d highly recommend staying there. You can also take a free hotel shuttle from the kahala so you don’t have to deal with parking. You also can use their bikes etc to get around kahala which is a much nicer neighborhood. I usually split half at halekulani and half at kahala. 3 days in waikik is enough for anyone. I should know I lived there for 12 years.
Didn’t you pay the taxes with the credit card? If so, add another 2%. Did the CFO at the hotel think this charge up? Not good for the customer.
Hawaii hotels have fee’d me into not booking my anual trip to Waikiki From $5000.00 in 20220to $7500.00 2023 for same room smae tome of year. Thanks but no thanks.
Nope not going anymore. My life is in the golden years and will have to give up all travel soon. Im sure this is not going to be just Hawaiian islands. My grocery bill for one person just 30 minutes ago for several bags of groceries was 130.00. Old lady, no big salaries, so no mo travels. Such a shame for someone that loves people and the world.
Charging end customers for credit card fees – or reverse – giving a discount if they pay cash (same difference) is becoming common for a lot of diverse businesses, so I am not surprised to see a hotel do this. This like restaurants tacking on a “we don’t pay our employees enough” surcharge on your bill. I even got cash discount last time I swapped my summer-winter tires. That certain restaurant in Kilauea offers a 5% cash discount. That certain Mexican Seafood restaurant in Kapaa charges an extra 3-4% for paying with a credit card. Try to pay any government fees (like property taxes) or student tuition or whatever with a credit card, you may extra. Credit card companies charge a lot of fees – that’s where all those FF miles come from.
Time to go back in time.
Remember Travelers Checks? Worked just like cash with the same inconvenience that you had to go to the bank to get them.
That is highway robbery and I will cross their brand off my list for sure! It may be illegal to charge you for using a debit card because that is just like cash!
Thank you for exposing this!
Pay them with Bitcoin, Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle. But I bet they don’t accept any of these.
People need to talk with their wallets. The accepted way to pay for large expenditures is by credit card. If a hotel expects you to pay with cash or they are going to charge you for your credit card usage perhaps a different hotel would be better. If people start doing that instead of caving in to the desires of hotel management things will change. There is no hotel without guests.
We’re now priced out- this is before food, car and airfare. We will continue to travel, it just won’t be to the Hawaiian Islands.
I wouldn’t stay there. As long people keep paying these garbage
fees the resort will keep charging. When their reservations decline the will remove. Too many other choices!
You pay the CC fee on taxes, too, so pay up!
Just say “NO” to credit card fees. As you said, who carries that quantity of cash around? This is the worst, with resort fees right behind.
I have to laugh at all the press lately about #airbnbbust people “sticking with hotels from now on” because of “all the fees”. They have another thing coming if they think they will be able to escape fees in Hawaii.
BOH: The reason they don’t just include these fees in the price is because they want the displayed price to be low to stay competitive with everyone else. If all hotels would just set their prices to absorb all the possible fees, that would be fine, but that’s not what they do.