Paying taxes / resort fees on award nights

[Mal]

Have just checked out of an award night stay at a HI in Italy, and was charged the local city fundraising tax (I think 3 euros a night for this part of Italy).

Not really a big issue in the scheme of things, but is annoying. Have been charged municipality taxes before (Switzerland) on an award night, but can't recall any other time when this has happened.

I've heard complaints before about resort fees with some rewards too, but I've never seen that. Also, IIRC Indian redemptions can run foul of an issue where a local tax covers the rack rate of a room (not what you pay), so could be pretty large if you are upgraded to a suite etc.

Out of the big schemes, are there any that guarantee taxes etc are covered on redemptions?

 

[JohnK]

Is this selected properties/countries only? I redeemed points for Thailand and Hong Kong recently and did not pay anything.

I hope this type of "enhancement" does not become standard practice.

 

[dajop]

It tends to be an issue where local governments charge a flat fee for taxes rather than % fee, although, for example New York has a component of the room tax that is a flat rate per room and I haven't been charged that (doing Hilton redemptions).