Paris LV, Price Bait and Switch?

Question

Around Christmas I made a reservation at Paris for 3 mid week nights. Received 3 confirmation e-mails, all showing a grand total $186.90. After a friend warned me about hidden fees at check in, I called to verify the info in the confirmation email. I was advised the total due was $290.19. As best I can figure the confirmation did not include the actual room cost, just the resort fees and taxes. I've never heard of this. The supv. sent 2 more copies, both showing $186.90. I've never seen or heard of this before. Had I tried to check in when I found this out, I would have been furious. It's not the money. If $100 is that important you probably shouldn't go to Vegas. I go twice a year for 25 years and never seen this. If you're planning on going to Paris LV, be sure to verify the TOTAL COST! The confirmation e-mails are at best misleading and I believe down right dishonest. I made a complaint and someone is supposed to get back to me. I'll let you know what happens.

Answer

It sounds like you're experiencing what many travelers refer to as the "resort fee" bait-and-switch, a tactic that some hotels use where the initial advertised price is lower than the actual total due at check-in. This has become somewhat of a common issue in Las Vegas, and while it can be frustrating, it's unfortunately legal as long as the fees are disclosed in the fine print. Here's a breakdown of what might be happening:

Resort Fees: Many Las Vegas hotels, including Paris LV, advertise a base rate for the room, but the final total due will often include resort fees that are charged daily. These fees are for amenities like the pool, gym access, Wi-Fi, and other services, and they are typically not included in the initial room price. These fees are disclosed at booking, but they may not always be clearly visible until after you've booked or received a confirmation email.
Hidden Fees: The discrepancy you're seeing between the confirmation emails and what you were told on the phone could be due to the fact that the $186.90 rate only reflects the room rate and taxes, excluding the resort fees and possibly other charges like parking or incidental holds. It's always a good idea to inquire about *all* fees before booking to get the full cost.
Clarifying Confirmation: It's important to make sure that when you book a room, you ask for a full breakdown of the total cost, including resort fees and other taxes. The resort fees should be clearly disclosed at the time of booking, but unfortunately, the way these fees are structured often leads to confusion at check-in.
Discrepancy with Emails: The fact that you received multiple confirmation emails showing $186.90, but were later told the total due was $290.19, is concerning. It suggests that there may be a miscommunication or error in their booking system. It might also be possible that the resort fees were not properly accounted for in your initial confirmation emails.

What to Do Next:

Contact Customer Support: If you haven’t already, follow up with the hotel’s customer support or guest services team. Explain the discrepancy and ask for a clear breakdown of the charges, including any resort fees or additional costs.
Check for Resort Fee Waivers: Some properties offer to waive or reduce resort fees for certain situations, like booking directly with the hotel or being a member of their loyalty program. It’s worth asking about these options when you follow up with them.
Review Your Reservation: Double-check the terms of your original booking confirmation. If it was made through a third-party site, sometimes these fees are not clearly displayed, and it may be worth addressing that with the booking site as well.
Report the Issue: If you feel the hotel is being misleading, consider filing a complaint with the Nevada Attorney General’s office or the Better Business Bureau (BBB). They may be able to help mediate the issue or provide guidance on how to proceed.

It's always a good practice to verify the total cost upfront, including all taxes and fees, before booking any hotel in Vegas. Unfortunately, resort fees are not always clearly disclosed, and the lack of transparency can leave guests feeling misled. Hopefully, the hotel will address the issue and resolve it to your satisfaction.

Good luck, and I hope your trip goes smoothly!

Paris LV, Price Bait and Switch?

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