That bargain room you booked on the Internet might wind up costing much more than advertised due to unreported “resort fees.”

Countless unhappy customers discover at check-out that fees they knew nothing about have been added to their bill – everything from mandatory tips for bellmen and housekeeping to fees for the fitness center and the golf course (whether you used them or not) to the “complimentary” newspaper, and even for utilities.

Some of the fees have been applied unethically. A court ruled Hilton liable because it did not disclose the fees up front, or tell guests the fees were optional. (Source: HotelChatter.com – 6/7/2007) Starwood Hotels settled another class-action suit on the same matter, and Starwood, Hilton and Marriot now have policies against resort fees. (Source: Allstays.com – 6/30/06)

Check the small print when booking a room online. Hotwire, for instance, clearly states that “Hotwire rates do not include special fees charged by hotels upon check-out (e.g. energy charges, convention fees, resort fees, parking fees.) Customers will be required to pay these fees directly to the hotels at check-out time.” However, this warning is at the end of the “Term of Use” page, many clicks away from the booking page.

One big problem: When using bargain online services, customers don’t know what hotel they are booked into until after the service makes the nonrefundable reservation. Since customers have prepaid, they can’t back out if they don’t agree with the fee schedule for extras. In other words, you’re booking blind. So, what’s a customer to do?

If you book through these online services, ask about “resort fees” when you check-in and demand they be removed then and there. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn’t. But if you wait until you check-out, it may be too late.

If you have been charged resort fees or other normally included in a room price, please share your experience with your fellow travelers by filing a complaint below.