Anyone know much about the 14% tax that Premier is charging for All-Inclusive? Sounds like a scam to me, and I never had to pay it prior to our April trip. I don't know much about Mexican tax law, but I doubt if this tax goes anywhere besides to Original Resorts. My Premier contract does not say anything about being liable for any tax as part of the AI fees.
Sales tax on luxury purchases such as hotel stays is currently 11% and is called IVA, as far as I know it's always been included in the purchase price when you book. I've never heard of a 14% tax.
Is the total AI price including tax the same as it was earlier in the year? Maybe they are breaking it out now but the total is the same? I saw this too, but we are new to Premier, so not sure what the rates were before.
Yes, that's the key whether it is just simply itemised separately or whether it's something new on top.
Have been following the the AI fee thing at Premier for a while now (and not a happy camper about the increases) Essentially they dropped the poated AI fees by about 15% and now added the tax... Also looks like they have lowered the AI fee for members end August until mid December. Earlier this year it was $112 USD pp/d (taxes in) and now it about $75 USD pp/d plus the 14% tax. Think they wised up a bit on the outragous AI fees charged to members but they have added the tax...still cheaper than the $112 though. I personally think the tax thing is a scam since Steve mentioned it is currently 11% for hotels and the fact that pp/d rate prior to this never had an additional tax added to it. Was probably already included in the listed rates then they got such a backlash from the increased AI rates that they developed a creative marketing scheme (the tax) to lessen the image of price gouging. Everyone accepts that we have to pay taxes... IMHO of course; but we do know that Premier is out to make a $ from its members now that they have us by the b*lls.
I saw that they took the 14% tax off over the weekend...we were looking to go in December...it is down to $60 pp/pn for TTR for low season....it was $74 inc tax before...so it's gone down...or the total has.
AI fees won't be bad if they could actually explain why they go up or do a steady increase. Instead they go from $80 to like a $102 with no explination. Then a month later they run a special for $85 a night. Or like the one year the members complained enough that they reverted the fees back to the previous year rates. I'm sure they won't do that if they where going to lose money. Which just is another piece of information telling you they doing nothing more then push the AI fee to the highest point people are willing to pay. Such a scam and they act like we are all just a bunch of sheep on the issue. Just like now they lower rate and add a tax. Now the rate went up and no tax.
Well it looks like the rate just went down again. Deluxe Ocean View Aug 15, 2010 to Dec 25, 2010 $ USD (per person - Taxes extra) $71.61 Monday the rate was almost $100 a person (for this time frame and type of room). Now it dropped. Unknown what the tax is now. I sent off an email asking for the new “sale” price of $71.61. In March 2010 I booked this trip for $165.60 (for two) plus 14% taxes for a cost of $188.80 each night. Then in May 2010 I re-booked this trip for $152.98 (for two) plus 14% taxes for a cost of $174.40 each night. Now re-booking (again) for $143.22 (for two) plus ??% taxes for what cost? Every year I go through the same thing, if you do not check the web site constantly and ask the resort, they will not give you the deal. Cal
