My discussion about a “resort fee” a couple of days ago generated a lot of comments, both here and in emails to me privately. This is a bigger hot point than I had originally thought. 

Many responders wondered why I didn’t call out the casino where this incident happened to me. As a rule, I like to give general advice about a subject as much as possible. I didn’t want people just to be careful about this one casino, but to always go over their bill before they check out of any hotel. Another factor is that I hate to give negative publicity to one person or company when it might be just an isolated honest mistake. 

However, this time I am going to mention the casino. It was Green Valley Ranch. Now I like the Stations casinos. They run some great promotions. Brad and I have played at a Station casino for many years and plan to continue doing so as long as they have good video poker games and good promotions. But I hope someone with decision-making authority there will read my blog entries about this situation and also take note of the comments and realize that dinging players with extra charges is negative PR that is pushing customers away. 

Speaking of reader comments here, there is a lot of helpful information in them. When you read my blog, you may be missing them. You have to scroll down below the blog entry on the left side of the page to see a list of “Recent Comments.” However, some people don’t comment on a particular blog entry right away. So if you are interested in a specific subject, click on the title of a particular blog entry and at the end of it you will be able to see all the comments that have been written.

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I just had an experience that reinforced my strong belief that you need to keep a very watchful eye on all business you conduct with a casino. Actually this is true for any business matters, but sometimes it seems that casinos may have more tricks up their sleeves – or maybe I just have more business matters with casinos than with other businesses. 

Whatever the case, here is the snafu I just faced. I made a reservation at a locals casino for a relative who was going to be in town for just an overnight stay. I usually make reservations through a host, but this time I just went through the regular reservation system to use a one-night-free offer that came in my monthly mailer. At the time I made the reservation, I asked if there were any extra fees. No, they said, it would be completely free. When I checked in, I asked this same question, specifically mentioning a “resort fee” that I had heard some upscale local casinos sometimes charge. No, that would not be charged. 

You guessed it – what was on the bill when ready for TV checkout the next morning? A $27.49 “resort fee.” 

A simple call to the front desk and this charge was “waived.” But I wonder how many people would just leave their keys in the room and assume that a “free” room night would not have a charge so they wouldn’t check the bill. How many people might not closely check their credit card bills and see the charge for a “free” room?

Did the casino make a simple mistake – or was it a “trick”? 

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