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Source: Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.self storageAug. 23--Several years ago, the airlines started the practice of collecting extra fees over and above the basic ticket price. Now, many hotels in the U.S. are catching on to the idea.Collecting these extra surcharges is big business for the airlines -- the industry's revenue from the charges totaled some $6 billion last year, the New York Times reports.The results are becoming similar for the hotels. Last year, these fees amounted to $2.1 billion a year for the industry, doubling the amount hotels collected 10 years ago.While airlines are nicking passengers with extra fees for boarding an aircraft early, changing itineraries and checking luggage, many hotels -- mostly high-end properties -- are becoming just as inventive, charging guests for such services as using a business center or Internet connection or adding so-called "resort fees," which usually are nothing more than using the fitness room, spa or swimming pool.According to the New York Times, fees also are being added at some hotels for early checkouts, receiving faxes and overnight packages, automatic gratuities, availability of room safes and mandatory valet parking.While many of the large convention, resort and luxury properties are adding fees, a good many hotels aren't, the article points out. Many of the mid-level hotel brands favored by business travelers aren't in the fee-charging game. Mid-level hotels with strong bases in business travel provide a range of services without an extra charge -- from free Internet and business-center access to free breakfasts and, in some cases, even a free evening cocktail hour with snacks.So the news isn't all bad to the consumer. But beware when you check in because many of these fees are "hidden," or virtually automatic surcharges that show up on your final bill at check-out.HERE AND THERE:-- NBC Universal has announced plans to construct at $1.6 billion, 25-year expansion of its Los Angeles-area theme park. T迷你倉e company will build The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at its Universal Studios Hollywood theme park, along with upgraded TV production studios and office space on the studio lot, according to the Associated Press. The project eventually will include a hotel and retail outlets, adding nearly 2 million square feet to the studio complex. The plan initially called for nearly 3,000 residences, but that was dropped after local residents and politicians objected.-- Allegiant Airlines, which serves the Rochester-Phoenix market, has filed plans with the Transportation Department to expand its scheduled route network into Mexico next year, with service linking Las Vegas, Hermosillo and Los Cabos. The service would start next June 1. Up to now, the carrier has served only the U.S. domestic market.-- The American cruise industry continued to be a substantial contributor to the U.S. economy in 2012, according to an independent study commissioned by Cruise Line International Association, the marketing arm for the industry. The 26 North American member lines, passengers and crew contributed more than $42 billion in total U.S. economic impact, a 4.6 percent increase over 2011. In addition, the cruise industry generated 356,311 jobs, paying a record $17.4 billion in wages to American workers.-- London's Heathrow Airport is planning to create a third runway, saying the idea will allow a vast expansion at Europe's busiest air hub. The expansion, if approved, would allow the airport to move from a capacity of 480,000 flights a year to 740,000, a move that supporters insist is critical in order for the country to remain competitive on the world stage. Cost of the options, according to the Associated Press, range from $21 billion to some $28 billion. The plan would mean hundreds or in some cases thousands of compulsory property purchases.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 Post-Bulletin Visit the Post-Bulletin at .postbulletin.com Distributed by MCT Information Services文件倉