Letters: Turning the tables on hotels charging extra fees

Regarding Bettie Roman’s letter [June 5] about added-on fees at hotels:

I, too, am disgusted by the added-on fees that are real “gotcha” surprises. Seventeen percent city tax not listed in the advertised price. Cost of parking. Charges for a pool that’s out of service and fitness facilities I don’t use. Hotels refusing to remove these charges.

Here’s a story that goes like this: A woman complained about being charged by the hotel for services she didn’t use, so she thought she shouldn’t pay for them. However, she was told by the manager that because the facilities existed there for her use, whether or not she used them, she was still charged.

The woman whipped up a bill of her own at one of the computers and handed it to the manager.

“Madam, what are these charges for?” the manager asked.

She replied, “Those are for my services.”

The manager stammered and said, “But, madam, I didn’t use any of these services you offered.”

She replied, “That doesn’t matter. They were still available.”

Sharron Popovich, Arcadia

Bigger not always best

I applaud Catharine Hamm’s article on regional jets [“Regional Jets Have Value,” On the Spot, June 5]. In May I made an impromptu weekend trip to Phoenix, flying out of Long Beach. I took Mesa Airlines, which operates under the banner of American. Yes, the plane was small and, naturally, I banged my head while getting in and out of my seat.

But I thoroughly enjoyed my flight, and the notion that a regional carrier is second tier to a bigger-named carrier is false.

Paul Perez, Whittier

A key issue

Regarding rental car keys [“The Key to Rental Car Mystery,” On the Spot by Catharine Hamm, May 15]: I also was told that car rental agencies want the two keys together with the car for when it is sold (higher resale value). If they give out one key, how do they reunite the other key with the car? Who knows where the car will end up? Imagine trying to go through 460,000 keys to find a match.

Preston Mortley, Los Angeles

Rental fees displease

I read the L.A. Times article that HomeAway has added a fee this year [“Rental Owners Displeased With Fees,” On the Spot by Catharine Hamm, April 10].

I too have a cottage I rent and have noticed that my inquiries have dropped off. Before the fee was added I had booked my entire summer.

I am very worried that I will have to reduce my rates or change to another rental website.

I hope the word gets out that most renters will not pay that extra fee, considering I already charge a considerable rate to make it worth my time and expense.

Steven Ortlieb