It is a new and brave world in travel space, and companies are increasingly looking for ways to maximize income and minimize benefits for some customers. While elite status has become much more difficult to win for most loyalty programs, often it also comes with less benefits or points or miles that are more difficult to use.
But they are not just those with elite advantages. We are all paying more … sometimes for less.
Recently I stayed in the charming Hyatt Place San Francisco / Downtown, where I was surprised to know that the property is now charging for breakfast (except when those with elite status are renounced). It turns out that Hyatt is driving a new policy That does not include breakfast in 40 Hyatt Place hotels.
Thanks to me first level stateBreakfast did not cost me anymore, but it made me think about all the things that were free in the travel space recently as five years ago that now has to pay.
Resort, destination and city rates
Like a plague, resort rates (also known as destination rates, services or cities) have spread throughout the country and even worldwide. Once restricted to true resorts that included extras such as chairs and loan beach activities, these rates now prevail even in the humblest properties.
Related: Here are ways to avoid paying resort rates
Unfortunately, most of the properties of things are announced as benefits of the resort rate are advantages that were once free, such as access to Wi-Fi, local calls and the use of the gym.
In TPG, we have seen resort rates up to $ 150 per night! He is outrageous and very frustrating. The only good news about these rates is that the new rules require that they be revealed during the reserve process. New Rules about “junk rates” Announced during the Biden administration entered into force in May, so at least now there is more transparency in books.
Breakfast
There is no free breakfast on the properties of Hyatt Place would be a great disappointment, but even with this possible change, Hyatt is still the most generous hotel chain when it comes to free breakfast For elite members. Hyatt guarantees free breakfast for its first level elite members.
Daily Bulletin
Reward your entrance tray with the TPG Diario Bulletin
Join more than 700,000 readers to receive news, in -depth guides and exclusive agreements of TPG experts
MARRIOTT offers free breakfast In some of his chains, such as Springhill Suites and Residence Inn, but in most brands, he will pay breakfast. The members of Marriott Bonvoy Elite (those with platinum elite status and above) also used to obtain a free breakfast, but that has been reduced over the years, with the guests in other chains that now have to choose the benefit instead of obtaining welcome points or other comforts.
Hilton has also changed its breakfast benefits for elite members. While he still offers free breakfast in chains like Hampton by Hilton, Hilton has moved to a food and drink credit model That gives you between $ 10 and $ 25 per host, depending on the hotel brand. Some of my colleagues in TPG I really prefer this During free breakfast, but I find that you never cover breakfast during my stays.
In any case, if the Hyatt Place test is successful (from an income management perspective, at least), I would expect you to see more entry level chains that leave your free breakfast benefit.
Seat allocations
More and more airlines are now charging for the tasks of the seats … even in executive class.
The positions for the assignments of seats are common in the trainers cabins, but the airlines are becoming increasingly creative to segment their cabins. Not looking for Delta Air Lines, who just made a New Rate Structure That divides each of its cabins into miniature levels with several advantages.
It is speculated that Delta is also Considering the load for seat allocations In Delta One, as its partners Air France and Klm already do it.
British Airways has been the leader on this front. He debuted the load for seat allowances in the business class cabin in 2009. Lufthansa, Swiss and some other European carriers also charge for some assignments of business class seats.
It is not known how high these positions could reach, but I could put money in what happens, especially as United AirlinesDelta and American Airlines All are implementing new suite products.
Related: How much should you pay for a first class update?
Parking
Free parking has never been one thing in many high -end resorts, but it used to be a benefit of staying in the casino Hotels in Las Vegas. That came to an end in 2016 when many of the largest hotels and resorts began to load by parking. Wynn and Encore eliminated parking fees in 2019, but they brought them back in 2023. spending $ 20 per day to self -part and $ 40 per day for Valet Parking can really add.
Related: How to avoid paying parking fees in Las Vegas
Parking charges are even appearing in other destinations that may not wait. For example, Aloft Nashville West End charges $ 10 per day for self-patrocinity and a whopping $ 44 per day per parking lot. Similarly, the Springhill suites in Bozeman, Montana, a regular hotel right next to a road and not in an occupied area, charges $ 12 per day per sponsored car. A reader also recently pointed out that parking at the Porthyard Portland Convention Center/Convention Center used to be free, but now it is $ 43 per night (for Valet).
So you don’t think they are only Marriott Properties, in Millennium Hilton New York One a place in Manhattan, Valet Parking costs $ 100 per night!
Like resort rates, these charges seem another way to travel to the nickel and the devil.
Living room access and advantages
I was surprised to know that a room called one of the Best priority passes halls in the country loaded with showers. The San Francisco International Airport Club (SFO) is fantastic, but if you want to use one of its showers, it will now cost you $ 25.
While this trend is not yet widespread, you can bet that it will eventually appear in other rooms.
Priority pass It has about 1,700 halls in 145 countries, and the entrance to one of its rooms generally requires showing its boarding pass and priority pass card to a staff member. Now we are seeing a new trend: some more popular halls are charging a Rate to preexist your visit. The SFO club is one of them, which charges $ 9 for a reserved place.
This is the system in more than 100 rooms, but in London, it is especially bad, since few people who do not reserve a place are allowed lately.
Related: Is it worth a Pass Lounge priority membership?
Some rooms also charge for using their nap rooms. I have paid to spend a few hours sleeping in the Klm flagship hall in Amsterdam several times over the years. Will pay around 40 euros ($ 45) for two hours of time to sleep in one of the rooms in the room.
Of course, the main changes are the new entry restrictions for some of the main salons affiliated with the airlines and credit cards. Many rooms no longer allow free guests to limit the number of guests.
Those with Delta or Selection American Express cardsFor example, I used to have unlimited Access to Sky Delta clubs But now they are limited to 10 to 15 visits per year (unless they win $ 75,000 in purchases with their cards). You must also pay for guests in most circumstances.
Related: Delta Sky Club Access Restrictions are now in force: what to know about the changes
End
Many things that used to be free in the world of trips slowly. I am frustrated to see consumers be beaten with more and more rates and “improvements.”
But the TPG collaborator, Ross Binkley, reminded me that not everything is bad news. Most of the main US airlines. UU. They no longer charge for changes and cancellationsand the elite status still unlocks many of the previously free benefits mentioned above.
I will take good news where I can find it. Even so, rates for almost everything (including tickets for concerts and purchases made with a credit card) are emerging throughout the place, and I hope you only get worse from here.
Related reading:
