Do you pay resort fees when using Marriott points?

? Resort fees aren't waived when you pay with points Unlike Hyatt and Hilton, which waive resort fees on free night awards, Marriott typically doesn't waive resort fees when you use points to book a stay. This means you'll still pay out-of-pocket when booking a “free” night at any hotel with a resort fee.



In 2026, Marriott Bonvoy’s policy generally states that mandatory resort fees are NOT waived when booking a stay with points. Unlike some competitors (like Hilton or Hyatt), Marriott typically requires members to pay the daily resort or "destination" fee in cash, even if the room itself was "free" via an Award Redemption. These fees can range from $20 to over $100 per night at high-end properties in Hawaii, Las Vegas, or the Caribbean. These fees are meant to cover "amenities" like Wi-Fi, pool access, or shuttle services, regardless of how the room was booked. However, there are minor exceptions: some Marriott Vacation Club properties or specific promotional offers in 2026 may bundle these costs. Additionally, elite members (Platinum and above) may sometimes receive "replacement" benefits if the resort fee covers something they already get for free (like internet), but they still have to pay the fee itself. Always check the "Summary of Charges" during the digital checkout on the Marriott app to see the exact cash amount you will owe upon arrival.

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You cannot simply refuse to pay resort fees, but — just as some hotel employees are occasionally empowered to compensate you — the employee might have authority to remove your resort fee. Just understand that this is the exception, not the norm. And while it doesn't hurt to ask, it helps to ask nicely.

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When you book an award stay entirely with points, you usually don't have to pay taxes and fees on top of the points with one exception: if the hotel charges a resort fee, you will have an additional cash outlay for the stay.

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The hotel charges a daily Destination Amenity Fee, which includes the following benefits: a one-hour water activity (kayak or paddleboard), one-hour bike rental, wine tasting with two glasses of house wine, instructor led fitness classes, F&B credit of $15.00 per day (excluding Roy's), In-room high speed Internet ...

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Resort fees are generally not refundable, though there may be some exceptions depending on the resort. It is essential to check with the resort directly to find out their refund policy. Most resorts do not offer refunds for their resort fees, but there may be some exceptions depending on the particular hotel.

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First, by separating a mandatory resort fee from a quoted hotel rate, hotels can make their rates look more attractive to potential guests. Travelers, of course, disagree and feel that this practice is deceptive and unethical. Another reason why amenity fees are charged separately is due to taxation.

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Do Marriott Bonvoy Points Expire? Yes, Marriott Bonvoy points do expire, but it's fairly easy to keep them active. Points will expire after a member is inactive for 24 consecutive months. To remain active, and to start the 24-month clock over, all you need to do is earn or redeem Marriott points.

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The American Hotel and Lodging Association said that resort fees pay for a range of hotel amenities, such as pool use, gym access, towel services, Wi-Fi, newspapers, shuttle service, daily parking. They state that the resort fee is a payment for a group of services.

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Some hotels state that their resort fees cover the cost of local calls, pool towels, minibar items, wireless internet access, and a daily newspaper. Others include airport shuttle service, fitness classes, and beach access in their resort fees.

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The fee was a way for hotels to pay for all these extra amenities without having to add to the base prices consumers see when they search for hotels. In other words, hotels would appear cheaper in internet searches, making them appear more competitive in price while offering a more robust experience once guests arrive.

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New York State law is very clear on this. Hotels are currently getting sued over alleging their resort fee pays for internet services (hint: it does not). You legally can and should refuse to pay any hotel resort fee. For more information on how to do that, visit here.

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Regulators call these “junk fees.” You have probably encountered junk fees at least a few times in your travels. The extra charges can come in many forms, such as fees for resort amenities, checked luggage and seat selection, and they're typically not disclosed upfront when you use an online search engine.

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Resort fees existed as early as 1997. 1 After hotels began charging resort fees, consumers complained that they were surprised by the fees and often did not learn about them until arriving at the hotel.

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