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Ok, I've done my part........

rayxtwo
rayxtwo
Aug 23, 2013
2:17am
Block User
Ok all my Vegas loving friends, I've officially fired the first shot in the war against mandatory Resort Fees. I've contacted the Federal Trade Commission and filed a complaint stating that the reason they are charging these fees are 1) A way of raising the nightly rates you pay for your room and 2) Lowering the "Base" room rate so the hotel will show up first on travel websites. One bullet will not win this war. To help, more of you, that are sick of these fees that we "demanded", will also need to call and file a complaint. The number to call is 1-877-FTC-HELP.
RoadTrip
RoadTrip
Aug 23, 2013
3:02am
Block User
You may have also overlooked the "creative accounting" angle re: resort fees.

I'm not certain what the hotel taxes are in LV, and am taking an educated guess that the resort fees most likely are not taxed at the hotel tax rate, if they are considered "taxable" at all.



Roulette Man
Roulette Man
Aug 23, 2013
3:10am
Block User
The resort fees definitely have an itemized tax on the hotel bill, but I've never thought to see if they are the same rate as the hotel tax. I will check it out next time.

I'm wondering if there are any laws in place about whether or not a resort fee can exceed a certain percentage of the quoted hotel rate. I recall at one time where Luxor was advertising a $29 weekly room rate, but in the fine print there was also a $29 resort fee.

Can a hotel advertise a room for $30 but then state the resort fee is $50? I know that is an extreme example, but are there any boundaries on what they can charge for resort fees?
franksynopsis
franksynopsis
Aug 23, 2013
3:24am
Block User
Be sure and mention that a room at Caesars running $179 on Friday will cost $399 on Saturday. The same room. They act like they own the place.

treegirl
treegirl
Aug 23, 2013
3:37am
Block User
Quote
Originally posted by: RoadTrip
You may have also overlooked the "creative accounting" angle re: resort fees.

I'm not certain what the hotel taxes are in LV, and am taking an educated guess that the resort fees most likely are not taxed at the hotel tax rate, if they are considered "taxable" at all.


You do not think that resort fees are taxed? I would think they would be taxed higher if anything.


rayxtwo
rayxtwo
Aug 23, 2013
3:49am
Block User
Excellent points all. If you haven't made that phone call yet, bring up these points.

Ray
Blade
Blade
Aug 23, 2013
4:57am
Block User
Thank you for standing up for all of us.

Hope you hit a nice jackpot on your next casino visit.
rayxtwo
rayxtwo
Aug 23, 2013
5:32am
Block User
While I was digging around I found a podcast where they interviewed Derek Stevens, owner of "The D" and they discuss his decision to add these fees. While he said that it was not to raise the room rates (hack, hack, cough, cough) it was done so the hotel would show up on Page 1 in the search for hotel rooms. Another reason this was done is because the travel sites like Priceline only receive their commission on the "Base Rate" of the room. A $50 room with no fees, full commission. A $25 room with a $25 resort fee, the hotel keeps half of the commission. They're not only screwing us, but the online websites too. Here's a link to the podcast so you can hear it for yourself.

Vegas Gang Podcast.

Ray
jatki
jatki
Aug 23, 2013
9:07am
Block User
Quote
Originally posted by: rayxtwo
While I was digging around I found a podcast where they interviewed Derek Stevens, owner of "The D" and they discuss his decision to add these fees. While he said that it was not to raise the room rates (hack, hack, cough, cough) it was done so the hotel would show up on Page 1 in the search for hotel rooms. Another reason this was done is because the travel sites like Priceline only receive their commission on the "Base Rate" of the room. A $50 room with no fees, full commission. A $25 room with a $25 resort fee, the hotel keeps half of the commission. They're not only screwing us, but the online websites too. Here's a link to the podcast so you can hear it for yourself.

Vegas Gang Podcast.

Ray


Ahh ha, I see.

RoadTrip
RoadTrip
Aug 23, 2013
9:20am
Block User
Quote
Originally posted by: rayxtwo
While I was digging around I found a podcast where they interviewed Derek Stevens, owner of "The D" and they discuss his decision to add these fees. While he said that it was not to raise the room rates (hack, hack, cough, cough) it was done so the hotel would show up on Page 1 in the search for hotel rooms. Another reason this was done is because the travel sites like Priceline only receive their commission on the "Base Rate" of the room. A $50 room with no fees, full commission. A $25 room with a $25 resort fee, the hotel keeps half of the commission. They're not only screwing us, but the online websites too. Here's a link to the podcast so you can hear it for yourself.

Vegas Gang Podcast.

Ray


Ah! Creative accounting does rear her ugly head. And, I'm still thinking there is more to this than just saving some commissions online. I still believe the tax angle shooting is much more lucrative.


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