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Hotel occupancy tax rates range from about 8% in some southern states to 18% or higher in Hawaii. Major cities like New York (nearly 15%), San Francisco (14%), and Chicago (17%) are at the high end. Many jurisdictions also add flat-fee tourism levies on top of the percentage tax. Always check the specific rate for your destination when budgeting.

It is difficult at properties that charge them because they are usually mandatory for all guests. Some strategies: book with points (some chains waive resort fees for award bookings), achieve elite status (a few programs waive fees at certain tiers), or choose a property that does not charge resort fees at all. Properties in Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Florida beach resorts are the most common offenders.

Prepaid non-refundable rates are typically 10 to 20% cheaper but cannot be changed or cancelled without losing the payment. Pay-at-hotel rates give flexibility at a higher price. If your travel dates are firm and the property is well-reviewed, prepaying saves real money. Always check the cancellation policy before prepaying.

European VAT is already included in quoted prices in most countries, but many destinations add a per-person per-night city tax of 1 to 7 euros (Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Venice). This city tax is often excluded from online booking totals and charged at check-out. Budget roughly 1 to 5 euros per person per night when planning.