Nasty New Year Trick

Q: In getting quotations for packages to Bali and the Maldives over the December holidays, we have been dismayed by the surcharges listed for Christmas dinner and New Year gala banquets. These can add hundreds of dollars to the cost of a holiday and our travel agent says the charges are compulsory and have to be paid if we are staying in the resort over these periods. Is there anything we can do about this? - Raymond Richter

A: You can try to find a hotel that does not enforce the surcharge, but these additional charges have become increasingly common at resorts in Asia and elsewhere. Hotels claim that the price covers the cost of the lavish spreads they lay on, but in reality the surcharges have become big moneyspinners for many of them. In most cases, the additional charge does not include drinks. If you don't want to change your dates to avoid them, ask your agent to find a hotel in your price bracket that offers reasonably priced surcharges. There are hotels that do not levy these surcharges, but these are usually the limited-service budget hotels such as Ibis and Express by Holiday Inn.