What Is a Hotel Resort Fee?
A hotel resort fee is an mandatory charge for amenities or services such as parking, fitness facilities, Wi-Fi, pools, or access to a resort area. It usually appears during booking, but sometimes is added later at check-in. Paying a resort fee with American Airlines miles or other points does not necessarily mean the charge is refundable. Hotels may treat it as a separate fee rather than part of the room rate, and loyalty-program benefits, elite status, or credit-card coverage may not waive it. Review the cancellation terms carefully and ask the property whether a fee can be removed or credited.
Also worth reading: Hotel Fee Comparison Guide: How Can Travelers Compare Resort, Destination, and Mandatory Charges in 2026? · How Do You Dispute Hidden Hotel Fees and Request a Refund? · How Do You Check for Hotel Booking Fees Before You Reserve in 2026?
Whether resort fees are legal depends on the location, the wording of the charge, and whether the hotel disclosed the total price accurately before booking. Some jurisdictions require mandatory fees to be included in the advertised price, while others permit them if properly disclosed. Lawsuit investigations have challenged “junk fees,” but consumers should seek a refund when a fee was undisclosed, charged twice, or added after booking. Document the confirmation, screenshots, and checkout messages, then dispute the charge with the hotel, card issuer, or relevant consumer-protection agency.
Why Resort Fees Spark Lawsuits
Hotel resort fees are not automatically illegal, but they must be clearly disclosed before a guest books and cannot be misleading or charged for services the hotel does not provide. Lawsuit investigations have focused on hidden mandatory fees, lack of advance notice, and resort charges presented as optional when payment is actually required. Laws also vary by state and city, and some jurisdictions impose stricter rules on advertised prices. A $165 fee charged when redeeming American Airlines miles is especially likely to draw scrutiny if the booking terms did not clearly disclose it.
Whether the fee is refundable depends on the hotel’s policy, the booking terms, and the circumstances. A fee disclosed at checkout may be nonrefundable, while one added after booking could qualify for reimbursement if it violates applicable law. ClassAction-style litigation and Federal Trade Commission action over junk fees have increased pressure on hotels to show prices transparently. Travelers should compare the full checkout cost, ask whether destination or facility charges are mandatory, and save screenshots of the advertised rate and fee disclosure.
How to Request a Refund
Hotel resort fees are not automatically illegal, but they must be disclosed clearly before you agree to pay them. In the United States, the FTC’s junk fee rule requires hotels to show mandatory charges early in the booking process, including taxes and resort fees. A fee charged at check-in without adequate advance disclosure may be challengeable, and deceptive or hidden fees could also violate state consumer-protection laws. The law is still developing, so verify the current rules where you booked. If you booked with American Airlines miles, first ask the hotel to remove or waive the fee, then submit a complaint through American Airlines’ feedback process. Keep screenshots of the booking, the fee disclosure, and your correspondence, and ask in writing for the property’s full fee policy.
Before disputing the $165 charge, review the itinerary’s terms to confirm that resort fees are included in the miles award rather than collected separately. If the hotel was not transparent, request a refund and reimbursement of any related rewards or points consequences. You can report the practice to the FTC, your state attorney general, or a consumer-protection agency. If many customers experienced the same hidden charge, a class-action investigation may provide a route for recovery, but individual claims can also be resolved directly with the hotel or booking program.
Booking With Miles Wisely
Hotel resort fees are not automatically refundable or illegal. They are mandatory charges disclosed at booking or checkout, and many hotels treat them as part of the room rate, even when you redeem airline miles. American Airlines miles do not normally cover resort fees, so booking a points room can still leave you owing $165. Before paying, check the award’s full price breakdown and the hotel’s cancellation terms. If the fee was hidden until checkout, or differs from what was disclosed, contact the hotel, request a manager, and save screenshots of every page. You may be able to dispute an undisclosed charge, dispute your entire stay, or chargeback a charge you did not authorize, although these remedies are not guaranteed and deadlines are short.
On the legality question, lawsuits concerning resort and other “junk fees” are increasing, but one lawsuit does not make every resort fee illegal. State and federal rules can target hidden or misleading fees, while FTC scrutiny may pressure companies to make mandatory charges clear before purchase. A prominently disclosed resort fee can be lawful, though refunds depend on the hotel’s policy and whether the stay was cancelled rather than completed. Compare the total award cost with nearby properties, select room descriptions that explicitly waive the fee, and avoid third-party sites that omit mandatory charges. If American Airlines displayed a materially different total than the hotel, the points partner may help with correction or goodwill credit.
Preventing Surprise Hotel Charges
Hotel resort fees are legal in many jurisdictions, but they are not always refundable. Whether a charge is required depends on the property, its disclosed terms, and local law. Hotels must generally reveal mandatory fees during booking, although regulations vary and some checkout charges remain disputed. Refund eligibility also differs: a fee disclosed as nonrefundable may not be returned if you cancel, while a charge imposed after booking or inaccurately described may merit a complaint. Review the cancellation policy and final invoice carefully before paying.
A $165 resort fee charged when you booked with American Airlines miles can be particularly frustrating, but the airline’s points program may not absorb it unless the hotel or card offers reimbursement. Compare the award price with the resort fee, and check whether your credit card covers incidental charges. Federal Trade Commission actions against hidden “junk fees” have increased pressure on sellers to disclose mandatory charges earlier. If the fee was omitted or misleading, document advertisements and receipts, then contact the hotel, American Airlines, your card issuer, and the relevant consumer-protection agency. Lawsuit settlements do not automatically make every hotel fee illegal or refundable.
Resort Fee Refund Options
| Issue | Are Resort Fees Refundable or Illegal? | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| Standard resort fees | Usually legal when disclosed before booking | Check the rate and cancellation terms |
| Hidden or surprise fees | Potentially deceptive or illegal | Request the fee’s removal in writing |
| American Airlines award bookings | Resort fees may apply despite miles redemption | Ask whether the hotel will waive the fee |
| Refund eligibility | Often depends on the hotel’s policy and local law | Document the charge and request reimbursement |