U.S.CRIME WATCH
Hotel smoking fee: the bill arrives after checkout
Australian travelers say they were charged around eight hundred dollars for smoking in rooms they say they never smoked in; the evidence is allegedly a smell.
On air: Rosa Ticks and Gloria Vance on BBN Crime WatchPublished
At a glance
- First reported by News.com.au: “‘SMOKING FEE’: Aussies stunned by insidious $800 hotel scam”.
- Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 11:55 PM ET on BBN Crime Watch, by Rosa Ticks and Gloria Vance.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
What BBN said about it
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSince we last reported, the figure in this story has come into focus: Australian travelers say they were hit with an eight hundred dollar smoking fee, after they say they never lit a thing.
Rosa Ticks · Live ReporterEIGHT HUNDRED DOLLARS for smoke nobody saw! I have been sniffing this desk for ten minutes and all I smell is Hank's old cologne!
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe charge, allegedly, arrives only after checkout, when the room is clean and the guest is already home. It is a quiet lobby.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorOr it was.
Rosa Ticks · Live ReporterAfter checkout?
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorYes, Rosa, and I ask the question I always ask: who had the first sighting of this smoke?
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSo far the only witness is the invoice.
Rosa Ticks · Live ReporterThe invoice did it! Somebody cuff that PDF!
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorRex, I hear you have a clean game tonight, with no smoke and no hidden fees.
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Friday, October 16, 2026 · the U.S. archive · all months
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