Hotel Charges $419 Smoking Fee to Non-Smoker, Sparks Outrage

A surprising $419 smoking fee on a hotel bill has raised concerns over the accuracy of smoke detection technology used by hotels. Mary Ferguson, a former anti-smoking advocate, found herself facing this unexpected charge during a recent stay at the Rio Las Vegas.

Ferguson and her husband, who visit Las Vegas monthly, chose the Rio for its renovations and a good deal. Their July trip took a turn at checkout when they were informed of the hefty smoking fee. “I do not smoke,” Ferguson stated emphatically. “My husband does not smoke. We have never smoked.” With nearly 20 years in tobacco cessation education, Ferguson is particularly sensitive to the issue.

On the night the violation was reported, she and her husband returned to their hotel room early to avoid smoke, as the Rio is entirely non-smoking. “We just don’t like to be around it,” she explained. The couple settled in around 21:30, unaware that they would soon be accused of smoking in their room.

The hotel’s smoking violation report indicated an extraordinarily high smoke index of 100, with air quality classified as “hazardous.” “They’re telling you that you survived, basically a fatal smoking event,” remarked David Charns, an investigator with 8 News Now. Ferguson responded, “I had no idea that we had this toxicity in the room whatsoever.”

Ferguson expressed her frustration, emphasizing that there was no prior alert. “There was no one knocking at our door. No alarm went off. Nothing,” she said. The only notification came at checkout when the fee was added to their bill.

Travel experts advise guests to be proactive when staying in hotels that enforce strict non-smoking policies. Peter Greenberg, CBS News Travel Editor, suggests documenting the condition of the room upon arrival. “Photograph any damage in the room and the minibar,” he advised, to help defend against potential incidental charges.

The Better Business Bureau has noted 28 complaints regarding smoking charges at the Rio Las Vegas since March 2023. Many complainants, like Ferguson, insist they are non-smokers. Hotel management has acknowledged some complaints but maintains that such violations may be isolated incidents.

In response to the growing number of grievances, the Rio Las Vegas stated, “All guest rooms at Rio Las Vegas are non-smoking. We utilize air quality monitoring technology to enforce this policy.” They also stressed that each violation is thoroughly reviewed to ensure fairness.

Despite the initial charge, Ferguson reported that the hotel ultimately waived the fee following inquiries from 8 News Now. “I don’t have a problem paying for something that was ours. It was not,” she concluded, highlighting the importance of accountability in hotel practices.

As the travel industry faces increasing scrutiny over customer experience, cases like Ferguson’s raise significant questions about the reliability of smoke detection systems and the transparency of hotel policies.