Hotel Safe Fees

How often do you use the safe in your hotel room?

I rarely use it, as I try not to travel with anything of real value that would need to be kept in a safe.  But I do understand how sometimes you want to leave those credit cards and extra cash, passport, travelers checks, cell phone – whatever – behind while you are briefly out of your room.  And, after all, isn’t that what the safe is there for?

Yes.  And you should use it if you need to.  But if you don’t use it, be sure to check your hotel billing statement to make sure you haven’t been charged for it.

More and more hotels are adding on a fee for using the safe, which includes not only the use of the safe, but insurance in the event of a loss claim.  The fee usually runs between $1-2/day.  That’s all fine and good ““ if you use the safe.  If you don’t use the safe, however, you may still get charged the fee, under a provision that requires you to opt of the use of the safe or pay the charge.

Most hotels require that front desk personnel inform guests about the safe warranty fee during check in, and the feel is included in the room charge unless the traveler specifically opts out. 

The fee is usually split between the safe company and the hotel.  Safe fees have become a big money maker for hotels and safe companies alike, because most travelers won’t bother to argue over a couple dollars.

Travelers rights groups argue that it is more reasonable to ask if a traveler wants to use the safe, and if so, to charge the fee, rather than to impose it on everyone.  That’s definitely food for thought, but if it’s as big a moneymaker as is alleged, I don’t see that approach changing any time soon.  There’s more money to be made with an opt-out policy.

This is definitely a case of traveler beware.  Check your bill, ask questions, and opt out of any discretionary fees for services that you don’t use.

Photo credit:  flickr