How to Get Hotel Minibar Items for 90 Percent Off

Who among us hasn’t fallen victim to the siren song of the minibar? After a long flight or late night, all those salty and sweet treats look so good—until we check the price list. But if you’re thirstily eyeing a $5 bottle of water, I have good news for you: There’s a trick that lets you indulge without overpaying.

How to Get Hotel Minibar Items for 90 Percent Off

Let’s say you check in and you’re super thirsty and you don’t feel like running back out to get water, but that standard-size bottle of Pepsi in your hotel minibar is $5. Drink it without regrets, and then the next morning (before you let in housekeeping) run down to the nearest grocery store or corner market, buy the same brand and size water for 90 percent cheaper, and replace the bottle in the minibar.

You can do this with many common items (candy, alcohol, etc.) without issue, but there are a few caveats:

• Don’t try this hotel minibar hack with specialty local brands that will be hard to find—stick to easy items that you can get at pretty much any store without effort.
• Check first to see if your hotel minibar has an electronic sensor that will automatically charge you if you remove an item.  If so, this hack won’t really work unless you’re willing to work to get the charge taken off your bill at the front desk after you’ve replaced the item.
• Pay special attention to sizes—make sure you don’t restock the hotel minibar with an item that’s smaller or larger.
• Make sure you replace the item before you take off the “do not disturb” sign, as housekeeping is generally responsible for refilling the minibar.

Would you try this hotel minibar hack?

More from SmarterTravel:

• 10 Mistakes You’re Making at the Hotel
• What to Do When a Hotel Tries to Screw You
• 9 Surprising Free Hotel Amenities

Caroline Morse never uses the hotel minibar. Follow her on Instagram @TravelwithCaroline and Twitter @CarolineMorse1 for advice and travel inspiration.