Here’s When You Will and Won’t Pay Resort Fees on Award Stays

Nothing ruins a “free” award stay where you're using your points quite like a pesky resort fee. Sometimes referred to as “destination fees,” these additional charges are a part of travel that doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon.

The good news is that not all hotel loyalty programs charge resort fees on award stays, although there are plenty that do. Here’s a look at many of the major loyalty programs where you might use points, so you know when you will and won't pay resort fees on award stays.

What Are Resort Fees?

A resort or destination fee is an additional charge that properties can impose to “cover” the cost of amenities. This fee can include the use of facilities, such as the pool or gym, as well as general hotel features like Wi-Fi. Fees can range from a few dollars per night to well over $150 per day of your stay. Looking at you, Fisher Island Resort and Club in Miami.

Credit: Fisher Island Resort and Club

Even if you never step foot in the pool or touch the Wi-Fi, you'll still be responsible for paying these fees. Worst of all, award stays using your points or free night certificates aren't always immune to these extra costs. However, several loyalty programs waive these fees when you use your points or free night certificates to book your stays.

Let's take a look at the policies in place for each major hotel loyalty program.

Which Brands Waive Resort Fees on Award Stays?

Hilton Honors

When you use your Hilton Honors points or free nights for a hotel, you don't have to pay these fees, regardless of elite status. Per Hilton's terms:

No resort fees on Reward stays booked using all Points, or for promotional free night stays (e.g., issued by credit card partners, etc.).

The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. Credit: Hilton

World of Hyatt

World of Hyatt doesn't charge resort fees to those on award stays (using points or free night awards). Additionally, top-tier Hyatt Globalist members are exempt from paying resort fees on eligible cash stays, as per the terms outlined here.

Related: Hyatt Displays Resort Fees in Search Results After Being Sued

Which Brands Charge Resort Fees on Award Stays?

ALL Accor

Award stays booked using ALL Accor points do not enjoy waived resort fees. With that said, you can use points to offset resort fees if they are part of the prepaid rate. Per the T&Cs:

On the website and in the ALL.com app, Reward Points can only be used for a minimum of 1,000 Reward Points. This entitles you to a discount of 20 euros on the full price of the booking and expenses included at the time of booking. Some taxes cannot be paid with your Reward Points. 2,000 Reward Points will lead to a discount of 40 euros on the booking, and Reward Points (after 2,000 Reward Points) can only be used in multiples of 2,000 Reward Points.

Choice Privileges

You'll be on the hook for resort fees if making a redemption at a Choice Privileges property that charges any of these fees. According to the terms:

Does not include incidental charges or fees: Your reward night does not include incidental charges and/or resort fees that may be imposed by the hotel.

I Prefer

Award stays booked through I Prefer are unfortunately not exempt from resort fees. As per the terms and conditions:

When redeeming Points for an Award Stays, the Award Stay includes the cost of a single or double standard room at a Participating Property, but may not include room tax/service charge, and extra-person charges, if any. All other charges, including incidentals and resort fees and are the responsibility of the Member and are not included in the Award Stay.

IHG One Rewards

On both award bookings and cash bookings, regardless of your status, the fee will not be waived with IHG One Rewards. Per IHG's terms, paragraph 48:

Resort fees and/or service charges at individual hotels may apply. These charges are paid directly to the hotel prior to Check-Out.

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort in Vietnam. Credit: IHG

Marriott Bonvoy

Resort fees are not waived for Marriott Bonvoy members using points or free night awards. All bookings — regardless of your elite status level — will need to fork out the funds if staying at a Marriott property that assesses these fees. Per the terms and conditions:

(4) The Free Night Award includes all applicable taxes; however, the Member may be responsible for payment of additional mandatory resort fees at Participating Properties where resort fees are applicable.

Related: Marriott Displays Resort Fees in Compliance With Court Order

Hotels That May Charge Resort Fees on Award Stays

The following properties may or may not charge resort fees on award bookings.

Radisson Rewards

With Radisson Rewards, it is ultimately up to the property to charge destination fees or waive them on award bookings. Make sure to research the hotel before you commit, so that you don’t end up with any unpleasant surprises.

You should be able to see if a property charges resort fees by making a mock booking online. If, however, you are still unsure, you can contact the property and ask.

Wyndham Rewards 

Wyndham’s official policy states that destination and resort fees should be waived on award stays with Wyndham Rewards:

A Free Night at a Participating Destination covers room rate only, including local taxes and resort/facility fees

Unfortunately, not all properties are aware of this. If you do get charged a resort fee, you can either show Wyndham’s terms to the agent and ask to have them waived or contact Wyndham customer service directly.

It's also worth noting that redemptions for stays at Caesars properties are excluded from this policy. So you won't avoid Las Vegas resort fees when you book a Caesars property through Wyndham Rewards.

Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf & Beach Resort in Puerto Rico. Credit: Wyndham

Final Thoughts

Regardless of how you feel about resort fees, they're out there, and it's up to you as a customer to do your research beforehand. Then, you can decide whether the fee being tacked onto your booking is tolerable or is grounds for making other plans. Most resort fees are overall affordable, but some can get pretty extensive.

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