7 Hotel Chains That Aren’t Worth the Money Anymore

The latest analysis shows that seven major hotel chains now add $45‑$55 in nightly resort fees, eroding the perceived value of budget‑friendly rates and pushing total costs higher for travelers【2】.

At a glance

Rising Fees and Points Costs

Across the seven chains, mandatory resort fees now cover basics such as Wi‑Fi and pool access, but they add a hidden $45‑$55 to each night’s bill【2】. Vegas resort fees alone jumped about 11% year‑over‑year, meaning a four‑night stay can swell by more than $200【2】. In parallel, loyalty programs have become more expensive: Hyatt’s May 2026 shift pushed award night costs up by as much as 67% in points, while Hilton’s standard room redemption now requires up to 250,000 points—a level once reserved for its most exclusive properties【2】.

Chain‑by‑Chain Impact

• MGM Resorts: The $45‑$55 fee applies to Bellagio, Aria and Vdara, turning what appears to be a “budget” deal into a higher‑priced stay once fees are included【2】.
• World of Hyatt: Property upgrades have moved 112 hotels up an award category, inflating the points needed for a free night and raising the average resort fee to $33.80 per night【2】.
• Caesars Entertainment: Similar fees of $50‑$55 per night add up quickly, especially for longer trips, with many guests paying an extra $200 or more over a few nights【2】.
• Hilton Honors: Recent program overhauls have lifted cash‑price redemptions to 250,000 points, while resort fees sit near $33 nightly【2】.
• Marriott: Even award stays incur the steepest resort fees at about $36 per night, and Bonvoy points pricing rose 5‑10% in 2026, with some properties climbing as high as 16%【2】.
• IHG: Charges average $32.57 per night, and points‑based pricing follows the same upward trend as its larger rivals【2】.
• Wyndham: The chain is shifting inventory from low‑fee economy rooms to higher‑fee midscale units, reducing economy room count by 3% while midscale and upscale rooms grew 2%【2】.

What to watch

• Fee thresholds: Monitor when resort fees exceed $50 per night, a level that significantly impacts total trip cost.
• Points inflation: Track any announced changes to award category upgrades or points redemption rates, especially for Hyatt and Hilton.
• Inventory shifts: Watch Wyndham’s quarterly reports for further reductions in economy‑room inventory, which could signal broader pricing pressure.

These fee hikes and points‑cost increases suggest that the “budget” label on many of these chains no longer guarantees low total spend, prompting travelers to reassess value versus price.