Resort fees and destination fees are among the most annoying “junk” fees you’ll find in the hotel industry. Lots of Marriott-family properties have these, and there are no easy ways to avoid them (in the sense that redeeming points and/or having elite status doesn’t get these waived).
However, there is a trick to at least potentially getting a little bit extra value out of your fee, in theory, and most Marriott Bonvoy members don’t know this (and… perhaps many Marriott employees don’t either?).
In this post:
Marriott resort & destination fee Wi-Fi replacement perk
Did you know that if you’re a Marriott Bonvoy member and a property has a resort or destination fee that includes free Wi-Fi as a benefit, you’re an entitled to a replacement perk? As you’ll see, this is published directly in the Marriott Bonvoy terms & conditions:
Participating Properties that have mandatory resort or destination charges, which include internet access, will provide a replacement benefit, to be determined at each Participating Property’s discretion. MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy does not provide a replacement benefit for the internet access included in their resort fee.
Just to be crystal clear:
- All Marriott Bonvoy members (and not just elite members) get Wi-Fi when staying at Marriott properties, so this extra benefit applies even for non-elites
- Therefore hotels that state Wi-Fi is a benefit of the resort fee or destination fee have to provide a replacement perk for members
- Wi-Fi specifically has to be advertised as a perk of the resort or destination fee in order to quality for this benefit
What are Marriotts offering as Wi-Fi replacement benefits?
Don’t get too excited about the potential benefit replacement for Bonvoy members:
- On the one hand, something is better than nothing, and on principle it’s nice to put some pressure on hotels with these junk fees
- On the other hand, there are lots of reports of hotel employees being baffled when confronted about this, and claiming the hotel doesn’t have such a replacement benefit, so this objectively might not be worth your time
What kind of Wi-Fi replacements are Marriott properties offering? Here are just a few examples, according to a FlyerTalk thread on the topic:
- A discount on the resort fee, with the amount varying
- Some minimal number of Bonvoy bonus points
- A small gift, like a tote bag
This really won’t change your life, but I do find it interesting that this is in the terms. This also explains why you’ll increasingly see Marriott properties not list Wi-Fi as being one of the perks of the resort or destination fee.
Bottom line
Marriott Bonvoy members staying at properties that have resort or destination fees that include Wi-Fi are entitled to an extra perk, given that this is a standard benefit for Bonvoy members. Don’t get too excited, because the benefit may be minimal, and for that matter, hotel front desk associates may not even be aware of this. But it is there in the Marriott Bonvoy terms…
Have you ever requested a Wi-Fi replacement benefit for a resort or destination fee as a Marriott Bonvoy member?
I just bring my own wifi. I've never come across a hotel wifi that had worked well.
In my experience, this is a real uphill battle. Front desk staff have no idea. About a year ago, I was astounded that even the manager made the effort to argue with me that it did not apply, even when I (Lifetime Platinum member) literally quoted the T&C from the Marriott website. He could have just given me a trivial 500 points or something to meet the requirement and I'd have to accept it, since...
In my experience, this is a real uphill battle. Front desk staff have no idea. About a year ago, I was astounded that even the manager made the effort to argue with me that it did not apply, even when I (Lifetime Platinum member) literally quoted the T&C from the Marriott website. He could have just given me a trivial 500 points or something to meet the requirement and I'd have to accept it, since the T&C don't specify what the benefit should be. Then I was surprised to find 6,500 points added to my account, which I suppose was great, but I'm more bothered that there was no communication - he never apologized or told me he was going to compensate me. I'm back in the same city next week, but I don't want to return to that hotel.
It would be very helpful to know what a non-member would be charged for regular and advanced wi-fi.
Then one could reasonably argue for a benefit in replacement for the value (cost) being replaced.
I've seen some pretty big numbers for high speed which is a Hilton benefit.
Pre-Covid, I stayed at the Westin Hapuna Beach resort and received a $6 daily reduction in the resort fee. It's worth asking about.
Ironically, Marriott's division that develops and franchises new hotels has owners sign a document saying that guests with certain elite status tiers will waived resort/destination fees. Unfortunately, the loyalty division of Marriott under David Flueck has never implemented this even though it's envisioned as a benefit.
See here: https://viewfromthewing.com/marriott-charges-resort-fees-to-hotels-that-want-to-charge-you-resort-fees/
Just what I need - a tote bag!
I always get free towels and handcloths as part of my gift.
I love a smile a day.
Many of the properties charging a resort or destination fee that includes internet still have the generic wifi landing page for all Marriott properties and list a $14 or $19 daily charge for wifi. That should be the value of whatever replacement they provide. This is actually ripe for a class-action lawsuit because there are thousands if not hundreds of thousands of guests who have not received a replacement benefit. I've long thought this was...
Many of the properties charging a resort or destination fee that includes internet still have the generic wifi landing page for all Marriott properties and list a $14 or $19 daily charge for wifi. That should be the value of whatever replacement they provide. This is actually ripe for a class-action lawsuit because there are thousands if not hundreds of thousands of guests who have not received a replacement benefit. I've long thought this was one of the strongest arguments for any fraud or consumer protection lawsuit against Marriott.
It’s been hit and miss for me when requesting a replacement with reactions from “deer in the headlights” to “we don’t do that.” And not that it should matter but I’m lifetime Titanium. Resort fees in general make me want to in any case.
If resort fees are required to be included in the advertised total cost of stay (as they are in California, and hopefully in increasing numbers of other places) then I'm fine with whatever they disingenuously throw in there to justify it. Or if they have to provide a "replacement" benefit.
I've had enough of service charges, hidden taxes/fees, mandatory gratuities and healthcare charges, etc. and why these kinds of deceptive practices are allowed to...
If resort fees are required to be included in the advertised total cost of stay (as they are in California, and hopefully in increasing numbers of other places) then I'm fine with whatever they disingenuously throw in there to justify it. Or if they have to provide a "replacement" benefit.
I've had enough of service charges, hidden taxes/fees, mandatory gratuities and healthcare charges, etc. and why these kinds of deceptive practices are allowed to be continued on us all.
Pricing regulations are an evil imposition of big gubmint, so pay your fees like a good libertarian and be proud of your freedom.
I always ask for a benefit of equal value and utility. I often suggest a $15 food credit or 2 free drinks a day. Usually after a bit of back and forth it happens. Maybe not worth it for a single day, but if you’re staying a week…