The Holiday Inn Express Durango Downtown-Animas River adds a mysterious fee to bookings at the property that’s made out to look like a tax. A reader shares the fee, asking what it could be?
It’s a ‘PACE’ fee, or rather they appear to participate in the ‘Property Assessed Clean Energy’ program. The way that generally works is the owners receive a subsidized loan to fund money-saving green energy projects (like replacing windows) and the loans are paid back through property taxes. The owners save money, receive subsidies, and in this case charge guests an extra fee to fund their loan repayment.
If nothing else, one way to tell that “Colorado Green Energy Fee” is made up and not a really government-mandated tax – despite describing it with the state’s name – is that the only reference Google finds to it on the internet is the last time I wrote about it.
Holiday Inn Express Durango
I similarly caught a Marriott and a Hilton adding fees onto room nights to cover their property taxes and pretending this was a government-mandated environmental charge.
This would seem to violate FTC rules. However under the current administration, “I’m not even sure that’s a crime anymore, there’ve been a lot of changes in the law.” So probably something guests should be complaining to the Colorado Attorney General about.
What’s remarkable is that I covered this Holiday Inn Express adding this back in 2022, and they’re still doing it. A reader complained about that Hilton’s PACE fee to the state attorney general and the property appears to have discontinued the practice.
Whether it’s hotels tacking on undisclosed fees for the lightbulbs in your room or franchisees charging extra to accept the chain’s own credit cards hotels get away with taking advantage of guests – but this seems worse because the property makes it appear like the government is forcing them to do it when that’s not the case at all.
It seems to me like triple dipping with corporate welfare, fraud, and fleecing guests – all rolled into one.
Two things can be true: 1) The environment matters, and is worth of programs to treat it better. 2) dishonesty and corruption is bad, and ‘green-washing’ is a nefarious form of that.
Anyway, now that I got that off my chest, please tell me how I’m a ‘woke’ DEI trans liberal and should be sent to a foreign gulag. I would also accept being called ‘silly names’ as an alternative.
Just say no.
I did this when a Marriott tried to charge $5 for utilities and for parking
1990
What foreign gulag are you speaking of? Oh….you’re speaking about “Maryland Man/Dad/Soccer Coach” who coincidentally is also known as Maryland Wife Beater/Maryland Human Trafficker/Maryland MS-13 Gang Member….well, he’s doing just fine in his new vacation destination.
So….we should blame Gary for giving this hotel ideas?? 🙂 /s
It’s a warm Saturday afternoon in New York. Every professionally successful person is handling a billion dollar M&A transaction from their Class A office in a Hudson Yards skyscraper. Every personally successful person is having a picnic with their friends in Central Park. Every academically successful person is on the Upper West Side in their research lab at one of Columbia’s campuses. Every artistically successful person is hosting their exhibition in Tribeca. Every culinarily successful person is in the kitchen prepping for a 3-star Michelin dinner service.
And then you’ve got 1990 who cosplays as a New York-based world traveler, and CHRIS the evergreen misinformed right-wing bigot. 1990 probably does live in New York, but is almost certainly a senile mouth breather typing away at an NYPL computer his fantasies of traveling to LA, Paris, and beyond. 1990 has provided no signal that he has achieved any dimension of success. Or, as stated in my previous paragraph, he wouldn’t be posting–not only today but every day on every post on this blog.
He’s right about the environment and corruption and what have you. Just a shame that he lacks the gravitas to influence people.
@L737 — Blame? They should give him a ‘cut’–a ‘kickback’–for all their ‘winnings.’ Bah!
@CHRIS — Any of them. The ones in warm climates (yes, the beaches, the rain forests, deserts), or frozen tundra (think of all the skiing!). Whatever is your preference, sir. I’m pretty boring, you know, due process, rule of law, all of those pesky Amendments. I know, it’s lame. Much harder to ‘move fast and break things’ with all those silly requirements. Ugh.
I am not sure why any blog would have a comments section anymore. If I was a blogger, I would probably “Points Guy” it and remove the opportunity for people to share their opinion that is not going to change anyone else’s.
This, of course, is my opinion. I am aware it will cause “zero” people to change theirs.
Ask for them to put the exact wording into writing, then show them that it is fraudulent and you intend to contact the AG’s office and file a formal complaint. Then, dispute the charge with your credit card provider.
We don’t have these IHG scams in the civilized world (Europe). Never use your points in what is left of America.
@ unintimidated
You need not call out CHRIS or 1990. After all, here you post rather than trying to heal this divided nation. On topic this faux greenwashing will never stop. It may assume different names, but it’s the same scam operating whilst hiding under a different cloak. Have a wonderful holiday everyone.
@ unintimidated:
I read your post three times, and your mix of fiction, bluster and assumptions still doesn’t make sense.
This is a travel blog. No need to unburden yourself of your emotions here. It’s tacky.
WearyWatchdog, you’re telling on yourself and your lack of reading comprehension.
This motel was charging this fee back in January of 2021. I have not been back there since because of the fee.