Ambassador free night voucher – does it cover US resort fees?

[Tracy]

Anyone know if you pay the resort fee in the US on both nights using an ambassador voucher or just the first night?

[Anna]

You generally have to pay resort fees on reward bookings with IHG so it wouldn’t surprise me if they charged it for both nights.

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

Also depending on the location you likely still have to pay any fixed fee taxes and charges that are based on occupancy not a % of the rate paid.

[Tracy]

It’s the Intercontinental Miami so I’m not expecting any excess occupancy charges. Thinking the resort fee will be charged on both nights but will keep my fingers crossed…

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

I never mentioned “excess occupancy” just “occupancy” charges.

Some states / countries apply fixed rate occupancy charges / fees which are charged even on points or “free” night bookings because they are related to the room not how it’s paid for.

For example you won’t be charged a state imposed 10% sales tax on a zero cost night but you could still be charged a fixed rate $2 tourist fee

[Rob]

Exactly. I was actually at IC Boston last week using a voucher and I think (don’t have bill here) that we got whacked for the resort fee and most of the local taxes, because they were flat rate.

[Tracy]

Ah ok, I get what you mean now. I’m staying in Italy this summer as a family of 4 and will be paying a per person tourist fee of between 4-7 euros per person per night, ouch.
As far as I can tell at the IC Miami, the resort fee is the only fixed fee, the taxes are percentage based.