First of all I would just like to pre-emptively say it's not about the $2.00.

A few weekends ago I stayed at the Howard Johnson's in Atlantic City. When I checked out there were two $1.00 charges for "Safe Warranty" on my bill. First I paid, then went to eat breakfast. For some reason (maybe the coffee kicked in) I started wondering what those charges were for. I then asked at reception. In a nutshell, I was told the charges were for having a safe in the room.

Now, I did not ask for a safe and to me charging me for a safe that comes with the room is like charging me extra for the bed or toilet. I asked them to remove the charge and they would not.

A week later I called Howard Johnson customer service and they told me the charge is optional and the hotel itself could refund it, but not customer service.

I'm giving up this small battle because I don't have the energy to call the AC hotel and ask for a refund from a few weeks ago. I'm sure I would be told no again or something worse.

So I'm posting it here instead. If you're like me, you're sick of the hidden or near-hidden, unexpected charges that companies feel free to throw our way.

Like I said it's not about the $2.00. It's about ethics and conducting business fairly.

Thanks for listening!

They do it because they can.I conducted a small survey last week just before checking into my hotel in Dallas.I stood back from the reception/check in area.I was trying to get an idea of how many people inquired about the rate,tax,any surcharges.I was the only statistic I was able to collect.All of those people chekcing in without even asking what charges would be incurred.Guess I'm just a curious traveller.

For every 1 who asks and gets a refund 10 or more don't.

i'm the type of person that while i would not waste time pursuing the $2, i would not frequent there again and would spread the word, as you are doing. i have no problem paying fees that are upfront but these little ones they sneak in KNOWING that most people will throw away $2 rather then spending hours trying to get it, really piss me off. may i suggest that you please post this on tripadvisor.com. it is a very popular forum and people would appreciate it. thanks.

This is becoming more and more common. Usually theres a SMALL notice somewhere at the desk, telling you about it.

Very seldom do the franchise HQ involved with billing issues. If you want the refund, you'll need to contact the property that imposed the charges. I work p/t at a chain affiliated hotel, and can assure you that as long as standards are being complied with, the franchisors tend to let the owners run the property as they seem fit.

I would also suggest contacting your credit card company to dispute the charge.

A growing list of such charges. My favorite is a charge to "connect" the phone. Make a single local phone call and it could cost you as much as $15. I ran into that several times a few years ago, but haven't seen it later. Was there enough consumer outrage to stop it?

I will not accept the key to the minifridge when checking into a hotel as so many people get charged for using it even when they didn't. Last time in SF the hotel I do really like seemed "surprised" when I declined the fridge key. But than the desk clerk smiled and said "oh, I do understand".
And I use my cellphone versus the hotel room phone when making phone calls. We travellers must "think and think" LOL..but not funny for sure.