Why do hotels charge separately for parking?
 

I understand that hotels pay for parking property and need to recoup losses, but why not tack charge onto the hotel bill? I realize that would make the initial bill higher than some competitors but in my experience most people generally grimmace and whine quite a bit about that "extra fee.' Wouldn't this bad vibe from the parking fee leave a bad taste in a customer's mouth, and thus reduce his likelihood of returning?

Because not everyone brings a car to the hotel - and why should those who don;t pay for those who do?

Because I don't drive :)

But everybody uses electricity, why is this charge an add-on?

Probably to "camouflage" their low rates, to mislead the customer as they usually do.

Same with the airlines fuel and security fees.

Plus, when they pay commisions to online booking sites, they don't want to pay based on the higher rate with teh parkign or "resort fee" .

The parking is frequently run by a third party and therefore charges are separated out.

I agree that adding on parking fees is becoming outrageous. At first, it was $5 here and there. Now it's quickly climbing past $15/20 a day. I for one do not stay at hotels that charge these prices for parking if I have any suitable alternatives.

I think it's a way for them to keep prices at a certain level on paper, yet still charge for inflation. I know many businesses have a $100/night limit or something similar for business travelers but will still reimburse for the parking fee on top of that. If the hotel added the parking fee to the nightly price it might keep many business travelers from staying there.

I have found a few hotels that waived the parking fee when I asked nicely at check-in.

$15 or 20 is a deal in many cities. I've seen $30 (New Orleans), $45 (Chicago) and now $50 (New York).

Parking in NYC garages is always expensive - and $50 is common in high end hotels. But - few people staying in NYC hotels have cars - most people fly in - so it's not really an issue.

If for some reason I stayed in an NYC hotel and needed parking I would look for cheaper options in the area.

Faina, I have not seen electricity surcharges in a LONG time... and I stay at a different hotel, different city, every week.

Fifteen or so years ago, when we checked out of a motel, I noticed a $2 phone charge on our bill. We hadn't made any calls, so I questioned it. That was for having a phone in the room!

Electricity and phone charges (even if you don't use the phone) are not uncommon in Las Vegas still.

for the same reason there are atm charges,because they can make money.

it's likely the corporation running the hotel has a sq footage average return they are looking for and when you are in a city with limited space... that parking is a drain on resources.

hotels that don't have their own parking but "provide" it, may often use the third party as a "courtesy "so guests don't have to drive around looking for a garage and walk back to the hotel

It seems pretty obvious that the charge is an add on because not everyone arrives with a car, especially at city hotels!

Of the last 3 hotels DH has run, two charge for parking and in both cases, parking is contracted out to a third party, not run by the hotel. In his current hotel, the parking garage is a separate building, across the street from the hotel...not an unusual arrangement for a city hotel. His last hotel, where parking was free, a 4* hotel near the airport, locals often used the hotel parking garage as "free long term parking" during their trips, taking the hotel shuttle to and from the airport! Pretty cool deal, eh....? (What sort of "smiley face" icon is appropriate here? LOL)

I refuse to pay anything but taxes and logical charges... for actual phone charges, mini bar, etc.
I don't go to Vegas often but I can say that my bill at the Venetian only had the room, taxes and actual phone charges.

As others have said, the hotels don't own or run the parking, separate companies own the parking and set the price.

Why would you avoid a hotel because of parking fees? It isn't their fault. Gargages charge what the market will bear.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh..........Hi Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome Back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I missed ya.......

i understand all that, Gotravel, but what I am asking is why the hotel doesn't combine the parking with its own charge to make one bill. It seems that 90% of people simply grate at the idea of separate "parking fee" that they may or may not have known existed (most web sites burry it in the fine print) and many refuse to stay at a place withparking fees. It sounds silly but most people seem o.k. with paying $200 for a room vs., say, $185 plus $15 dollars parking or $20 "resort fee". I think hotels shoot themselves in the foot and needlessly hurt themselves by billing in this manner.

Obviously to generate extra revenue, but it drives me crazy. Charge extra in Manhattan, downtown Chicago, San Francisco - sure. Land is at a premium. But the Gaylord Texan opened a couple of years ago in my town - Grapevine, Texas...in the middle of nowhere - vacant land as far as the eye can see - and THEY charge for parking!!!

knute - The things people have already mentioned just make sense:

* Not everyone drives to the hotel. I don't want to pay for your parking if I didn't drive.

* Not every hotel runs their own parking lot. So, you pay the parking lot for parking, and the hotel for your hotel room.

You say that &quot;most&quot; people are put off by this, but it seems that you really mean that <b>you</b> are put off by it. Where do you get your data that most are? I would imagine that the hotels have business and marketing experts on their teams that help them figure out the best way to run things to make the most profit.

I fully expect to pay to park my car if I take it into any large city and/or the downtown areas of smaller cities. I have never had a problem with parking charges. They are expected.