Service charge

A service charge is defined as a fee, either a fixed amount or a percentage of a bill, charged to customers, for services that a hotel or a restaurant provides. A common definition of a service charge is an inclusion or addition of a fee, in the prices charged for meals, drinks and/or accommodation and other facilities that are provided by a hotel or restaurant.

When a price is inclusive of service charge, the amount or percentage charged as service fee may sometimes not be stated as a separate line on the folio printout. In France, the service charge is generally governed by the local laws.