Planet Hollywoood...Vegas Hotel drops resort fees! More play money...

Over the years, a large percentage of Vegas Hotels have been billing  additional "fees" - above and beyond those taxes and surcharges required - pursuant to City and State-wide regulations.

For example, in spite of the fact most Hotels in the desert playground are not resorts per se, tourists are often charged "resort fees" in addition to normal surcharges for goods and services.

Owners have argued to their critics that these fees facilitate the upkeep on a fitness center, pay for internet access, and help maintain swimming pool and sauna facilities.

However, in a deceitful effort to get an edge on the competition, many of the Hotels did not always disclose the fees in their ads, or on Internet booking sites such as Expedia, Hot Wire, etc.

For example, when a tourist conducted a search for the lowest-priced suite in a given price range, the computers were programmed to drum up the basic Hotel fees and taxes in bold face to lure a consumer to that particular Hotel.

However, the "resort fees" were often hidden beneath links so that the tourist was sure to miss or overlook the extra costs, or not even mentioned on the site from the get-go.

Consequently, when the traveller arrived at their destination Hotel, they were shocked to learn for the first time that they would be required to pay additional sums ranging from $50 to $150.

I am big on disclosure, so when Palace Station and Expedia tried to pull this stunt on me, I went on the warpath.

For starters, I posted a consumer alert on the Internet.

Post: 10/06/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/10/palace-stationvegas-hotel-in-thick-with.html

Shortly after I published the alert, and it came to the attention of Management at the Palace Station that they were being accused of deceptive business practices and a failure to disclose, they issued credit back right away.

Post: 10/09/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/10/palace-station-las-vegassqueaky-wheel.html

A similar post on Expedia's failure to disclose rustled up a similar positive response.

If you peruse Expedia booking sites today, individuals may notice that all the fees are posted on the main page and fully disclosed as required by law.

Post: 05/18/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/05/expediaconspiracy-to-hide-fees-rip-off.html


Now, there is good news out of the Executive Offices at Planet Hollywood.

PH announnced earlier today that they are no longer going to bilk their guests out of the questionable "resort fees" that appear to be the "norm" in Las Vegas currently.

Now Planet Hollywood  joins the ranks of the classy Hotels - like the Bellagio and the Hilton - who do not nickel-and-dime their clients to death.

On the strip, tourists were ecstatic about the change in policy.

"Now, there will be extra cash for a show or restaurant dinner. Maybe a massage at a spa," one visitor to the city gushed happily.

Now, if only those other greedy Hoteliers would fall into line.

http://www.julianayrs.com

Expedia...now disclosing resort fees, taxes & surcharges! Disclosure laws...

One of the things that really got my goat this past year was the tendency of online booking agencies to conceal resort fees, surcharges, and applicable taxes in order to dishonestly maneuver an edge in the highly-competitive travel industry.

Expedia was the worst offender.

For example, when a tourist conducted a search for a Hotel room at the best going rate, Expedia often failed to disclose resort fees, deposit information, and the cost of a myriad of amenities in order to give the impression that their Hotel fees were the absolute lowest.

On many occasions, I was personally ripped off by Expedia, because of these deceptive and highly unethical business practices.

A classic example of this dishonesty?

In order to beat out competing booking agents, Expedia often posted a low rate for a room, without revealing that a resort fee would be collected at the front desk of the Hotel at check-in.

Although the tourist got the impression the room rate was the best offer, when the "hidden" fees were applied later, that often turned out not to be the case.

The hapless consumer would have been better off securing their room with another travel agent who was upfront and honest from the get-go.

In addition, Expedia often failed (willfully chose not to reveal?) to inform guests that a credit card may be required to complete the booking process at the front desk and that a hold may also be placed on funds in a sum that might range from $50.00 to $150.00.

In the  recent past, I complained about that dishonest practise in a post, when I encountered problems of that nature when I checked into the Artisan Hotel in Las Vegas.

Post: 05/19/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/05/expediaconspiracy-to-hide-fees-rip-off.html

In another twist, some booking agents disclose the fees required by law, but deliberately bury the information to deceitfully gain a competitive advantage.

For instance, a handful of disreputable companies post low room rates in bold block letters, to lure tourists into snapping up their so-called deal of the century.

However, elsewhere on the page, there may be a link in super-fine print that subtly notes that "surcharges" may apply.

If the consumer was to "notice" and subsequently follow the labyrinth of "links" offered up - they may learn after an exhaustive fifteen or twenty minute search - that there are resort fees in the sum of $14.95, for example, a requirement of a $150.00 credit card deposit, and so forth and so on.

In some instances, there is no link to any information.

Tourists have to take it upon themselves to conduct searches at the Hotel web sites to track down surcharges, taxes, and special fees in order to ensure they don't get ripped off.

What a pain the butt!

In recent days, though, I have noticed that Expedia has started to disclose all the pertinenent information upfront and in a straightfoward honest manner.

Did the Department of Consumer Affairs (or the Federal Trade Commission) step in and force compliance after consumer advocates like moi posted angry protests on the Internet?

Maybe!

Needless to say, it was about time!

Now, if only those other fly-by-night rip-off companies like Hotwire, would do the same!

Buyer beware!

Las Vegas Hoteliers in on scam!

http://www.julianayrs.com/

Shell...rip-off at pumps! Regular gas $3.99 a gal at California/Nevada border...

Shell fails to disclose gas prices at pump!

Motorists were elated when they spied a Shell station by the side of the highway en route to Las Vegas just east of Baker (California) when they noticed they were running on empty.

But, their joy turned to suspicion, when they were unable to check the price per gal out front.

Uh-huh!

Not one sign disclosing the price of fuel in sight.

Inside, one motorist was flabbergasted when the cashier quipped - without batting-an-eye - that regular gas was $3.99 per gallon.

Needless to say, the tourist's jaw dropped.

The woman - with all the personality of a worm - proceeded to go forward with the sale.

“Will that be $20.00? $40.00?"

Without skipping-a-beat, the disgruntled motorist smugly uttered up his response.

5 bucks!

A look of shock swept over her face.

Yeah, he'd rather limp his way to the next gas station, than to succumb to theiri highway robbery.

Obviously, the prices weren’t listed out front because the owners knew that if motorists were aware of the staggering cost per gallon, they would have driven on by Shell's rip-off outlet and left 'em in the dust.

I trust that the President will address the issue of proper disclosure, the outrageous crime of gouging consumers in sparsely-populated areas - and likewise - install a procedure for lodging complaints (with threat of statutory penalties) against dishonest disreputable gas jockeys plaguing the Nation with their greedy underhanded tactics.

Americans are tired of being victimized.

Amen!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Las Vegas...Sahara fails to disclose fees! Bad Buffet Beef! Security detail taunts guests...

 

Some guests at the Sahara this week were grumbling about the fact the Sahara failed to disclose fees when they enticed 'em to book a suite at the Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas strip with promises of  low rates Sunday night through Thursday (and free slot play!)

When clueless tourists dialed up the Sahara to reserve a suite - employees at Sahara conveniently "forgot" to inform them about a "resort fee" ($6.00 daily) until they checked in later at the front desk on the scheduled date of arrival.

If a guest complained, staff simply shrugged their shoulders, and moved on with the reservation process.

Outrageous!

A couple of the Hotel front desk staff also played "dumb" when it came to the free slot play, too.

Shame on the Sahara was engaging in such deceptive business practices.

A handful of patrons on the Casino floor were also miffed (and somewhat parched) at the long waits for cocktails!

Sahara either cut-back on staff, or deliberately informed servers to slow-down the drink delivery, as a cost-effective measure, I guess.

Cheap basta**s!

Usually, when I trek to the desert oasis for a few days of much-needed R&R, I drop into the Sahara to take a free spin at the Player's Club desk.

Then, I usually saunter up to sup on the bargain buffet upstairs ($8.99 with a club card).

A couple of days ago, I strolled through the Casino, and queued up behind Club Players waiting to try their luck at the big spin.

Within minutes, I overheard a bit of whispering behind me.

"Do you know who that is?"

Just as I was about to half-turn to check out the alleged "star sighting", I suddenly heard the squawk of a walkie-talk, directly behind me.

Over my shoulder, I spied three security staff members standing at attention staring right at me in amazement!

Then, a guest whispered to a friend, in reference to me:

"He must be important."

I stepped up to the clerk at the desk, at which point, she non-chalantly asked if she could be of assistance.

Judging from the way the perky young gal was acting, I was inclined to imagine she didn't know me from "Adam".

Wrong!

Shortly after the Player's Club employee registered me for the spin toss, and I began to trot over to try my luck, I overhead her excitedly ask her co-worker if she knew who I was.

When I turned to determine if I won, a posse of folks - hotel employees, guests, rounders, waitresses - were staring wide-eyed in my direction.

"Nothing tonight, Julian. Come back tomorrow," she cried out across the Casino floor.

At this juncture, I headed up to the Buffet room on the second floor, but was disappointed by the sorry sight!

The normally-friendly cashiers who check in paying guests (no tabulating the bill after-the-fact here, so they've got you by the short 'n curlies, really) were stone-faced and unfriendly to the customers.

And, the old policy of greeting patrons at the table when they first sauntered in, must have flown out the door, too.

The only occasion I spied a waitress cruising by a table was on the heels of their departure (to snatch up tips, if any, tossed on the table).

Yup!

The pickings were slim.

But, the buffet was the biggest disappointment of all.

The cook actually had the gall to to offer up a piece of  Prime Rib that was all grissled and rippled with nasty tasteless fat.

The rolls were stale. The coffee was cold.

And, instead of a tasty array of delicable desserts as usual, the buffet table was sparsely scattered with a few little scraps of sweets here and there.

Nothing to write home about to grannie about,  'fer sure!

Then, as I reflected on the "downward spiral" of the Sahara, I happened to notice a security guard on the casino floor striding right up to a gentleman as he was walking in a forward-direction in his path.

Did he slow down to allow the guest to pass?

No, with a sneer on is face, he continued on forward.

Just as it appeared the two would collide, the hapless patron accelerated a beat, and ended up out-of-harm's way (as the sneering security guard chuckled to himself wickedly).

Imagine that!

The sawed-off sleaze ball had nothing better to do but taunt hotel guests!

A few old publicity stills of Elvis and the Beatles hanging ceremoniously about the halls & walls of the old lady triggered memories of their once-glorious days. Just as the thought entered my mind, I overhead an operator announcing over the loudspeaker:

"Wayne Newton. Paging Mr. Wayne Newton. You have a phone call."

OMG!

If Wayne is hanging out at the Sahara, times must be tough, eh?

No wonder he's slyly negotiating a Vegas deal behind-the-scenes to return to the Vegas stage!

News at 11!

http://www.julianayrs.com