TripHip - Travel Tips and Advice for Traveling on a Budget

Whenever you stop in at a hotel and motel, and ask them how much the room is, they quote you the cost of the room, whether it's $29.95 or $39.95 or even $79.95.

What they don't tell you is that's not all that you will pay. It seems like today, every city, county, state and the federal government adds taxes to that room rate, so in many places you're going to end up paying an extra 11%, over and above the room rate you were quoted.

In addition, if you stay at a resort, they also charge you a resort fee - over and above what you may have paid to a travel agent! They collect this fee every day from you at the front desk.

So if you're on a budget, and saving up for your vacation, add an extra 11% to any amount of money you set aside for your lodging.

And remember that if you use a debit card, a hold will be put on your money (in most cases, but not always, immediately) and they will also freeze an extra 15% for "incidentals." (If they do this, however, they will typically have a sign prominently displayed by the front desk which says so.)