Hidden costs can quietly inflate your travel budget, and one of the most overlooked culprits is hotel parking fees. Whether you’re road-tripping, traveling for business, or planning a staycation, parking costs can range from $15 to $70 per night in urban areas or resort destinations. The good news? With some planning and smart tools like cashback platforms and gift card rewards, you can often avoid or offset these charges entirely.
In this guide, we’ll explore how hotels include parking fees, how to save with platforms like Fluz, and how to find properties that offer free parking without the surprise markup.
1. How Hotels Sneak in Parking Charges
Many hotels—especially in downtown districts, near airports, or in major tourist cities—charge daily parking fees that are not always included in the booking price. These charges may show up as:
- “Valet-only parking” at luxury or business hotels
- “Resort fees” that include parking without clear breakdowns
- “Facility fees” that sound general but include parking access
- Additional “city parking taxes” layered on top of base fees
These costs are often added at check-in or buried in the fine print of the reservation. It’s not uncommon to pay $30–$50 per night for parking in cities like New York, San Francisco, or Chicago.
Travel Tip: Always check the “fees” or “policies” section of your hotel booking page. Sites like Hotels.com and Booking.com disclose parking charges if you expand the property details.
2. Offset Fees with Cashback Platforms and Gift Cards
Even if you can’t avoid a parking charge, you can reduce its financial sting by earning cashback on your hotel stay.
Fluz
Fluz offers instant cashback when you purchase gift cards for major hotel and travel platforms. These gift cards can be used at checkout or while booking, allowing you to earn money back on the entire transaction, including lodging and parking.
Relevant Fluz hotel partners:
- Hotels.com
- Airbnb
- Delta Air Lines (for flights with hotel + parking packages)
Use Fluz to buy a gift card just before your stay, pay the hotel directly or through the booking platform, and earn cashback instantly. If you use a rewards credit card to fund your Fluz purchase, you also get double rewards.
Other Cashback Platforms
- Rakuten: Offers cashback on bookings made through portals like Marriott, Hilton, and Booking.com.
- Ibotta: Occasionally offers travel bonuses or cashback on items purchased during your hotel stay (e.g., snacks, toiletries, or coffee from nearby stores).
3. How to Find Lodging with Free Parking
The best way to avoid hotel parking fees is to book a hotel that offers free parking upfront. Here are some tips:
Use Filters on Booking Sites
Sites like Hotels.com or Expedia allow you to apply a “Free Parking” filter during your search. This narrows your results to hotels that offer complimentary parking, eliminating guesswork.
Look at Suburban or Airport Hotels
Hotels just outside the city center often provide free parking and shuttle access to downtown or airports. These properties are popular with business travelers and road trippers.
Consider Airbnb or Short-Term Rentals
Many Airbnb hosts offer free driveway or street parking as part of their listing—especially in residential areas. Use Fluz to earn cashback on your Airbnb gift card while locking in the convenience of no fees.
Check for “Park and Stay” Packages
Some hotel chains (like Holiday Inn or Best Western) offer “Park, Stay, and Fly” or “Drive and Stay” packages that include free parking for one or more nights. Look for these offers on the hotel’s own site or third-party platforms.
Call Ahead
Even if free parking isn’t listed, call the hotel directly to ask. Sometimes complimentary parking is available for rewards members, certain room types, or during off-peak travel dates.
Hotel parking fees can feel like a travel tax you never signed up for—but you don’t have to pay full price. By using cashback platforms, checking parking policies before booking, and choosing free parking properties, you can reduce or even eliminate this hidden cost.
With the right strategy, your next hotel stay will leave you with more in your wallet—and fewer surprises at checkout.
