The unwelcome surprise waiting at check-in
Picture arriving at your hotel, excited for a break, only to be blindsided at checkout: “Resort fee,” “destination charge,” “amenity surcharge” added on top of your nightly rate. The outrage is real. One frustrated traveler on Reddit put it bluntly:
“It’s really frustrating to get to a hotel and find that they have a local fee on top of the price you booked.” Reddit
These fees aren’t just tiny annoyances — the average U.S. resort fee is now upwards of $40 per night, which can add up fast. Wikipedia+1
Why it feels downright cheaper to vacation abroad
More and more Americans are scratching their heads and wondering: Why am I paying more to stay in my own country?
Here’s what’s happening:
- Domestic hotels, especially in tourist hot zones, tack extra fees on top of the room rate. One travel advisor noted that international stays often include breakfast, shuttle/transfers, and gym/spa access in the base rate — while U.S. properties hide those costs behind “fees.” Fox News+1
- Budget-conscious travelers are doing the math and discovering the total cost abroad (including flights) can still beat a stress-free U.S. stay once those hidden charges are factored in.
- The concept of “drip pricing” is alive and well in the hotel scene: open night price looks OK, but once you add the fine print, you realize you’re paying for things you didn’t ask for. Wikipedia+1
In short, when you travel abroad, you’re often paying a higher headline price—but fewer surprise add-ons. At home, you’re seeing a lower starting price… but then the extra fees hit like blindside bullets.
What the experts are saying
Transparency advocates have been sounding alarm bells for years. A well-regarded travel policy group said:
“Mandatory hotel resort fees are irritating… In many cases they are no longer exclusive to resorts.” Travelers United
And the major booking platforms are finally stepping up: as of Spring 2025, a rule requires all mandatory fees — yes, even the ones you previously discovered at the last checkout screen — to be included in the upfront price display. expedia+1
What you can do to fight back
You don’t have to just shrug and pay. Here are action-ready moves:
- Use filter tools and search keywords like “no resort fee”, “amenity fee included”, or “all-inclusive price” when booking. Some platforms now label the “all in” total.
- Book directly with the hotel and ask: “What is the total nightly cost including all mandatory fees?” Commit their answer in writing (email keeps things clear).
- Consider destinations abroad where the overall stay value includes amenities you’d pay extra for in the U.S.
- Loyalty and credit-card perks matter. Some hotel chains waive resort/amenity fees for members, free-night stays, or points-booked rooms. Kiplinger
- Tease out the hidden “facility fee” on any hotel confirmation—don’t assume “resort fee” is just a pool towel charge. One traveler pointed out: “$299 Cruise! … $35 for parking. … the resort fee was $45 and my parking was another $50.” Reddit
Final word
If you’re planning a getaway soon, you owe it to yourself to look beyond the flashy nightly rate. Because the true cost of your stay may be hiding in plain sight. Whether you stay stateside or go abroad, being armed with insight turns choice into power—and might save you enough to upgrade your extra day of vacation.
Go ahead, share this with every friend who’s ever checked out and whispered, “What the heck was that fee?” They’ll thank you later.
