Introduction:

Looking to travel with your four-legged companion?

Before you schedule your next stay, it’s crucial to know about hotel pet fees. Surprise costs for pet fees at hotels catch many tourists off guard when they check in. Not all are created equal. This thorough guide covers all you need to know about hotel pet fees, including average charges at major brands, policies by region and how to save money on your pet’s bills. Bringing a dog, cat or other pet along on your travels? Knowing how hotels structure their pet fees will help you budget and find the perfect place to stay.

What is a Pet Fee at a Hotel?

Many hotels will charge a pet fee if visitors want to bring pets inside their rooms. Hotels have different rates for dogs and these rates can vary depending on the hotel chain, its location and the policies of the specific property’s management. The distinction, however, is that hotel pet fees are extras added to the base room prices when you’re traveling with animals.
The hotel pet fee is in place to cover the extra care required for pets during cleaning and maintenance. Hotels employ these fees to pay for additional housekeeping, potential damage assessments and deep cleaning between visitors. Some hotel pet fees are a one-time payment, but others build up daily. Understanding the distinction between these categories of hotel pet fees will result in better booking decisions and can help you avoid budget surprises during your stay.

THE AVERAGE HOTEL PET FEE

Hotels normally charge $25-$150 for the whole stay to allow pets, although luxury hotels and hotels in posh areas may charge much more. This hotel pet cost range depends on numerous variables like hotel classification, geographic location and regulations on pet size.

Most budget and mid-range properties have a pet fee of $25-$50 per night. With brands like Motel 6 or Red Roof Inn, this hotel pet cost is frequently inexpensive because these chains market themselves specifically as pet-friendly. Mid-range hotel chains like Best Western will charge $50 to $75 per stay to take pets.

Luxury hotels and resort facilities tend to charge the most for hotel pet fees, which can be anywhere from $75 to $150 or more per night. Some luxury residences demand a one-time hotel pet fee of $200-$500 for the entire stay. Four Seasons or premium resort destinations will often blow these numbers out of the water.

Also the difference in hotel pet price is if you bring a dog, cat or any other animal. Some hotels charge the same for any pet regardless of what kind of pet it is, others charge different fees for different types of pets. Sometimes hotels offer higher pet costs for big dogs than for cats or tiny dogs. Hotel pet costs also vary by region, with coastal towns, mountain resort destinations and large urban centers often charging higher than suburban or rural places.

There is a one-time pet fee regardless of your duration of stay. For longer journeys, they are a better bargain as the hotel pet cost is not per night. Hotel pet fees per night build up daily making them pricey for week long or longer stays. Unlike a hotel pet fee, a refundable pet deposit is stored temporarily and refunded if there is no pet damage.

WHY DO HOTELS CHARGE A PET FEE?

“A pet fee policy makes good business and operational sense for hotels.” Rooms do not receive routine cleaning, and pet arrangements require specific attention. Hotel pet fees help for the extra labor, equipment and resources needed to accommodate pets in rooms.

Staff spend extra time cleaning pet hair, disinfecting surfaces, deodorizing rooms after pets have stayed. The price for a pet at this hotel is based on the extra cleaning time required for the rooms as compared to ordinary guest rooms. Hotels also spend money on specialized products, such enzyme cleaners and odor neutralizers, for any pet difficulties, and the hotel pet fee helps offset the expense of these materials.

Pets pose a liability risk to hotels and the hotel pet fee helps to mitigate some of the insurance implications and damages that can occur. Sometimes pet owners do not look after their animals correctly and this can cause damage to furniture, accidents on carpets or damage to hotel property. The hotel pet fee structure allows properties to budget for additional cleaning and repairs for pet wear and tear.

A hotel pet fee also includes policies hotels are required to implement. Pet-friendly properties are required to establish pet areas, set aside specific pet floors or wings, and make sure that non-pet guests are not negatively affected by the presence of animals. The hotel pet cost addresses these complications of operations and the staff dedicated to accommodations for pets.

TOP HOTEL CHAINS CHARGE PET FEES

Hotel pet charge policies varies in structure between hotel brands. This is driven by brand positioning and the target market segment of the hotel brand.

Marriott Hotels

Marriott hotels vary in the way they charge for pets. Most Marriott properties have reasonable pet fees, usually $50 to $150 per stay, however some premium properties charge more. The Marriott brand you choose may also affect the hotel pet price, as the Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance and Marriott Bonvoy Luxury tiers charge differently than the cheaper Marriott options.

Hilton Hotels

Hilton Hotels usually have a moderate pet cost of $50-$75 per night. Some Hilton locations charge a set pet cost for the hotel for the entire stay and do not charge it on a nightly basis. Hyatt hotels also have a regular hotel pet fee of $50-$100, while the more premium Hyatt resorts might often charge more.

Best Western facilities advertise themselves as pet friendly and often have lower priced hotel pet fee structures in the $25-$50 per night range. Motel 6 and Red Roof Inn do not charge a hotel pet fee, which makes them excellent budget-friendly choices for visitors with pets. La Quinta also promotes its pet-friendly credentials, with cheaper or no hotel pet fees than luxury competitors.
The issue about Kimpton Hotels is they have a $0 hotel pet fee. Kimpton’s no-hotel-pet-fee policy is attractive to pet owners who wish to avoid unanticipated expenditures. Their brand commitment of pet-friendly hospitality and their stance on pet fees includes not charging for pets at their hotels.

HOTEL PET FEE VS PET DEPOSITS

Do not confuse these two charges, they are for distinct reasons. A hotel pet fee is a non-refundable price you pay only for having a pet in the accommodation. The hotel pet fee is imposed regardless of your pet’s conduct or any damage caused. We use the fee to assist offset the costs of operations and additional cleaning.

However, a hotel pet deposit is a security deposit that is temporarily retained by the hotel, and is refundable. If no damage was done by pets to the accommodation, the hotel will reimburse the pet deposit after your stay. There is also a pet deposit of $100-$300 that is stored on your credit card and released after the hotels post stay inspection. Some hotels have a non-refundable hotel pet cost and a separate hotel pet deposit, which means you’ll pay the fee and then a refundable deposit.

This difference is useful to avoid unexpected billing shocks. Hotel pet charge that you won’t get back Hotel pet deposit that you should get back if requirements are met.

HOW TO GET AROUND A HIGH HOTEL PET FEE?

When you travel, there are a few methods you may help cut or eliminate hotel pet fee costs:
Book directly with hotels that are known for lower hotel pet costs or a pet friendly positioning. Hotels include Red Roof Inn, Motel 6 and La Quinta have built names by charging little or nothing for pets. If these locations are useful for your vacation, then Kimpton’s pet fee free hotel policy is a terrific advantage.

Sign up for hotel loyalty programs before you book. Occasionally, members who are devoted can have access to exclusive perks, such waived or discounted pet fees at hotels. Many loyalty programs feature status tiers that incorporate pet-related bonuses that might lessen or remove the hotel pet fee burden.

Contact the hotel directly before booking, and ask about their specific hotel pet fee policy. The rules can differ from one resort to another, even within the same hotel chain. Discussing the issue with the front desk management could provide some wiggle room or negotiation space on the hotel pet cost especially if it’s a long-term stay or if you’re a returning visitor.

Shop around on internet booking services that are very transparent about their hotel pet fees. Some places have promotional periods where the hotel pet cost is waived or discounted. You can also tell from the guest reviews if hotels are consistently charging the pet fees they publicize.
Look for pet travel apps and websites that explicitly list pet friendly hotels with cheap or free hotel pet fees. These specialist sites will sort hotels by pet restrictions and costs, saving you research time.

Are the pet costs refundable at the hotel?

Normal hotel pet costs are non-refundable. All hotel pet fees are non-refundable once paid, whether at the time of check-in or booking, for any reason. Knowing the hotel pet cost structure before confirming your reservation is vital as it is non-refundable.
But hotel pet deposits are something else. These are refundable if your pet doesn’t tear anything up. The hotel pet deposit is normally returned to your account after a post-stay inspection. How long does a hotel pet deposit take to get back? It can take from 2 days to 2 weeks after checkout.

Always check to see if you’re paying a non-refundable hotel pet fee or a refundable hotel pet deposit. Ask about the time frame for a refund of any hotel pet deposit on deposit during your stay and ask for a signed acknowledgement.

FAQs

There are hotels without pet cost.
Nope. Most hotels charge a pet fee, but chains such as Kimpton and certain Red Roof Inn, Motel 6 and La Quinta locations allow pets for free. Check the pet policy that applies to that property before you book.

What Is the Hotel Pet Fee in the United States?

Hotel pet costs can range from $25 to $150 per stay, depending on the type of hotel and its location. Budget chains charge less, luxury resorts charge much more.

Can you get your hotel pet cost refunded?

Standard hotel pet costs are non-refundable. However, pet deposits are refundable if there is no damage. Find out what price applies to your booking.

Best hotel brands for pet fees

Red Roof Inn, Motel 6, La Quinta and Kimpton are the cheapest or no pet fee options. Mid-tier businesses like Best Western also keep hotel pet rates modest.

Cats are welcome at pet friendly hotels.Yes most of the hotels that offer a pet fee for hotels allow dogs and cats. Some properties charge the same hotel pet fee regardless of the type of pet, while others may have cat-specific pricing.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

Stress Free Pet Travel Know Your Hotel Pet Fee Responsibilities Pet costs at hotels can vary greatly depending on the brand and location of the hotel, so it’s a good idea to do some research before you book. If you’re traveling with friends, the hotel pet fee is a travel expense you can’t skip, but good choices can help you spend a lot less. Knowing how hotels charge for pets can help you make wiser decisions, whether you choose for the budget pet-friendly chains with minimum fees or the loyalty program incentives at the premium locations. Always check the exact hotel pet fee, deposit requirements and refund periods before finalizing your stay. Some pre-planning on hotel pet costs will help you and your pet have a nice location to stay on your vacation without any costly surprises.