Hidden fees that could add hundreds to your holiday this summer | Travel News | Travel

If you’re headed away this summer, you may want to check what your booking covers as you could face unexpected fees due to companies ‘drip pricing’.

Whether you’re jetting off overseas or opting for a staycation this summer, there may some extra charges you could face this summer.

If you’re not booking your hotel directly through its website and instead through a different company, you may not be getting all the fee information, so won’t know the total costs.

Consumer watchdog Which? shared these companies often fail to disclose the full price, including unavoidable fees, an issue now under scrutiny in the UK.

Which? has compiled a list of potential areas hotels may levy extra charges, reports Bristol Live.

The cost of free cancellation

• Many hotels do offer free cancellation options but these often tend to be more expensive than the normal booking without the option to cancel.
• Which? shared at one hotel, Marriot Delta, that it cost £24 more per night just to have the option of a free cancellation and that was mid-week in February.

WiFi fees

• Many hotels no longer charge for WiFi but if you happen to stay at a hotel in the Britannia chain then you get just two 20 minutes free surfing.
• Or you can pay £7 per day for unlimited access.

Early check-in or late check-out fees

• Check in at most hotels doesn’t start until 2pm-3pm and you have to check out by 10am or 11am in the morning.
• But many hotels do offer visitors the option to check in early or late, however this will accrue an extra fee.
• Which? shared this tends to only be around £10 in places like Travelodge and Premier Inn but can be as much as £40 in some hotels.
• So really think about whether or not you need the longer stay.

Hotel breakfasts that break the bank

• A lot of hotels offer a brilliant breakfast buffet, often featuring the much loved full English breakfast.
• But getting breakfast is an added charge with Travelodge breakfasts costing around £10.
• Or if you’re flying from Heathrow, the Sofitel’s breakfast will cost an additional £20.
• For those really wanting breakfast, you can always head to somewhere like spoons for a cheap breakfast.

Discretionary service charge

• Hotels often add a discretionary service charge to your bill, which is often buried in the small print.
• You can asked to have it removed should you not want to pay. But remember to check for it.