Why are taxes and fees not shown until checkout?
Seeing a different total at checkout compared to the price shown in search results can feel surprising. Here is why it happens and what you can expect.
Why taxes appear at checkout
The taxes applied to a hotel booking - such as occupancy tax, city tax, and destination levies - are determined by the specific hotel and its location. These amounts can only be calculated once you have selected a hotel, room type, and travel dates.
Because tax amounts vary by:
- Hotel location (state, city, and local jurisdiction each apply their own rates)
- Room type and rate category
- Length of stay
...the search results page shows an estimated or base price. The confirmed total, including all applicable taxes and fees, is calculated and displayed once you reach the checkout page.
All charges are shown before you pay
ReserveTheNight shows the full breakdown - room rate, taxes, and the ReserveTheNight service fee - on the order summary before you enter your payment details and confirm the booking. We will not charge you anything that was not shown on that page.
The final amount shown on your order summary is the exact amount that we will charge to your card.
What is included in the final total
On the checkout order summary, you will see:
- Hotel room rate - the nightly rate multiplied by the number of nights
- Taxes and local fees - all applicable taxes for the hotel location
- ReserveTheNight service fee - our platform fee, itemized separately