Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

Can hotels charge a fee to accomodate a service dog?

Can hotels charge a fee to accomodate a service dog?

Thread Tools
 
Old Nov 28th, 2006 | 07:31 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,203
Likes: 0
Can hotels charge a fee to accomodate a service dog?

Odd question, but does anyone know for sure?
Seems like this would be illegal.
TxTravelPro is offline  
Old Nov 28th, 2006 | 07:31 AM
  #2  
Original Poster
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,203
Likes: 0
Just to clarify... in the US.
TxTravelPro is offline  
Old Nov 28th, 2006 | 07:49 AM
  #3  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 23,445
Likes: 0
I would tend to agree with you, but I am not sure that all states recognize disabilities for which one has a service dog. The one example I can think of is that apparently in California a person subject to depression may have a dog as a companion and it is recognized as a service dog. Would that apply in other states?
Michael is online now  
Old Nov 28th, 2006 | 07:52 AM
  #4  
GoTravel
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Since you are voluntarily staying at a hotel, I think the hotel would be able to charge you a service fee.
 
Old Nov 28th, 2006 | 07:53 AM
  #5  
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 846
Likes: 0
Google is amazing

straight from the Dept of Justice website http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/qasrvc.htm

"Q: Can I charge a maintenance or cleaning fee for customers who bring service animals into my business?


A: No. Neither a deposit nor a surcharge may be imposed on an individual with a disability as a condition to allowing a service animal to accompany the individual with a disability, even if deposits are routinely required for pets. However, a public accommodation may charge its customers with disabilities if a service animal causes damage so long as it is the regular practice of the entity to charge non-disabled customers for the same types of damages. For example, a hotel can charge a guest with a disability for the cost of repairing or cleaning furniture damaged by a service animal if it is the hotel's policy to charge when non-disabled guests cause such damage."

saps is offline  
Old Nov 28th, 2006 | 07:54 AM
  #6  
GoTravel
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
It seems you would be correct, it is illegal

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/animal.htm

Q: Can I charge a maintenance or cleaning fee for customers who bring service animals into my business?

A: No. Neither a deposit nor a surcharge may be imposed on an individual with a disability as a condition to allowing a service animal to accompany the individual with a disability, even if deposits are routinely required for pets. However, a public accommodation may charge its customers with disabilities if a service animal causes damage so long as it is the regular practice of the entity to charge non-disabled customers for the same types of damages. For example, a hotel can charge a guest with a disability for the cost of repairing or cleaning furniture damaged by a service animal if it is the hotel's policy to charge when non-disabled guests cause such damage.
 
Old Nov 28th, 2006 | 07:55 AM
  #7  
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
TxTravelPro:
Found this website for you.
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/animal.htm
colombiana is offline  
Old Nov 28th, 2006 | 07:59 AM
  #8  
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
sorry guys did not realize others had already answered
colombiana is offline  
Old Nov 28th, 2006 | 08:15 AM
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,203
Likes: 0
I swear I tried to google it before posting... I must have used bad keywords. Thanks so much for helping me out. I have a hotel I am working with that documents that they charge and I really felt something was kooky with that...
I started my conference call with them 14 minutes ago, so these responses will make me look like I am really well informed!
Thanks!!!
TxTravelPro is offline  
Old Nov 28th, 2006 | 09:02 AM
  #10  
GoTravel
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Tx, I put in "Hotels fee service animal" and got the same site.

LOL it looks like we all found it at the same time!
 
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Abby5205
Europe
64
Mar 13th, 2019 01:41 AM
Joe18
Europe
15
Nov 2nd, 2006 04:39 AM
syrnytravel
Caribbean Islands
7
Nov 17th, 2005 04:56 PM
seetheworld
United States
6
Aug 11th, 2005 06:34 AM
yea_yea_yea
Caribbean Islands
9
Sep 11th, 2003 11:01 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement -