Check the Bill Before You Leave

The bill is where surprises hide: a minibar water you never touched, a resort fee, an extra night's tax. At checkout, ask for an itemized receipt: "Could I see a breakdown of the charges, please?" If something looks off, stay calm and specific: "I don't think I used the minibar — could you check that charge?" Front desks remove disputed items all the time, especially small ones. Quick rule: review the bill before you sign, not after. Once you've paid and left, a wrong charge is far harder to reverse.