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(NBC News) -- If you are making travel plans for the summer, better study those hotel prices closely.
NBC's Asa Aarons shows us how some items you take for granted could end up costing you a lot in the end.
George Haber is an experienced traveler. At a luxury hotel out west, he recently encountered something he had not seen before.
George Haber / Traveler: "We went to use the fitness room, which was a very complete fitness room, and when I went down to attempt to use the room and walk the treadmill for half an hour or so, I was told there was a daily fee that would be charged, even for guests."
Not a small fee either, George says they wanted 20-dollars per guest, per day.
George Haber / Traveler: "You're like, what are you staying in this hotel and you can't afford 20 dollars. But it was the principle of the thing, more than the 20 dollars."
You've probably read Kellie Grant's work on smartmoney.com. She says hotel fitness room charges are only the beginning.
Kellie Grant / Smartmoney.com: "Some of the big ones that consumers are having problems with are the ones they think should be included in the room rate, like hospitality fees, or getting a fee for maid service, now there are more fees for in-room meals. You can even be charged for early arrival, which is something a lot of people don't expect."
Kellie says finding the fees usually on the hotel website before you book a room is a lot easier than searching for them at check-out time.
Kelli Grant / Smartmoney.com: "Sometimes, it will say this is a miscellaneous fee or resort fee, but anything that doesn't spell out service for long distance, service for housekeeping. If it's not specific, ask."
Travelers say one of the best ways around getting nickeled and dimed is to join a hotel's frequent guest program. Many are free or have a small fee. You get points for staying and access to many hotel services without additional charges.
