4 Chains to Settle Surcharge Suits

Marriott International Inc., Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. and two other chains agreed to provide more than $61 million in discount coupons to settle lawsuits by lodgers who paid energy surcharges during stays last year in California and 11 other states.

Marriott, the largest U.S. hotel company; Hilton Hotels Corp.; Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide; and Hyatt Corp. didn’t tell guests in advance about the fees of up to $3.50 a night, according to the suits, which were combined as a class action in state court in Los Angeles.

The hotel chains have agreed to mail more than 6.15 million $10 discount certificates to people who stayed at the hotels last year under the agreement, which was announced tentatively July 4.

In New York Stock Exchange trading, shares of Marriott fell 47 cents to $33.41; Starwood fell $1.04 to $26.22; and Hilton fell 9 cents to $11.76. Hyatt is privately held.