tray charge
/treɪ tʃɑːrdʒ/
Meaning
A 'tray charge' is a fixed fee added to a hotel guest's bill for delivering room service. Unlike a standard service charge or gratuity, this specific fee covers the physical delivery of the meal on a tray to the room. It is often applied per order rather than as a percentage of the bill.
Examples
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Please note that a five-dollar tray charge will be added to all room service orders.
Please note that a five-dollar tray charge will be added to all room service orders.
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Is the tray charge included in the room service menu prices, or is it billed separately?
Is the tray charge included in the room service menu prices, or is it billed separately?
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The resort waives the tray charge for guests staying in our luxury suites.
The resort waives the tray charge for guests staying in our luxury suites.
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I noticed a tray charge on my final bill, even though I picked up the breakfast myself.
I noticed a tray charge on my final bill, even though I picked up the breakfast myself.
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To avoid the standard tray charge, guests are welcome to dine in our main restaurant.
To avoid the standard tray charge, guests are welcome to dine in our main restaurant.
Common Mistakes
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✗ The hotel charged me a plate tax for bringing food to my room.
✓ The hotel charged me a tray charge for bringing food to my room.
'Plate tax' is not a standard English term. The correct industry term for room service delivery fees is 'tray charge' or 'room service delivery fee'.
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✗ I paid a tray charge to the waiter as a tip.
✓ I paid a gratuity to the waiter, but the tray charge goes to the hotel.
A tray charge is an administrative fee kept by the hotel to cover delivery costs, not a direct tip or gratuity meant for the service staff.
Related Expressions
Practice
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The front desk clerk explained that the $10 ___ is applied to every in-room dining order.
💡 A fixed fee for delivering room service.
Show answer
tray charge
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To keep costs down, we dined at the buffet instead of paying the extra ___.
💡 The fee for having meals brought to your room on a tray.
Show answer
tray charge