Hotel Deals - (FARE GONE) Sheraton South Portland - $19/night (MERGED THREAD)

As posted in the SPG forum (but also incorrectly posted that the deal is dead): http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4766672#post4766672

Works for many nights next summer (large blocks of nights in both June and July at least). You need to click through to the list of available rates to see the $19 one.

That's Portland, ME for those of you who do not immediately think of the Pacific Northwest when thinking of Portland. ;)

You also need to select 2 adults. The rate is much higher than $19 if you select 1 adult.

Maybe stay in Portland for a few days on the way to Oslo....

I've not stayed here, but have been by a few times. The hotel staff has been very good with sending out my Fedex packages ... and there is a mall quite close by. The hotel seems a bit aged.

it worked for me ...

Seems its fixed now... can't get any dates :(

6/15-6/27/06 still works.

Nothing like buying SPG plat status for $1000.

Well, it's a nice hotel to stop in for a night, maybe a weekend, but it's a little hard to imagine planning a whole vacation around the South Portland Sheraton. :)

My recollection is that SPG has a bad track record regarding honoring "low ball" rate. They'll claim it's a mistake. But we'll see.

Sweet ...

Why $1000? $19*25 is only $500 :)

Now when will DL publish its WAS-PWM special for 2006? And when is the 2006 ME DO?

6/15-6/27/06 still works.

Nothing like buying SPG plat status for $1000.

Sweet ...

Why $1000? $19*25 is only $500 :)

Now when will DL publish its WAS-PWM special for 2006? And when is the 2006 ME DO?

Yeah, but then one would need to check in every other day for 2 months. I think qualifying on nights (2 chunks of 25) and not stays, would be the best way to go.

I likely will not use any of the weekends I booked, but I figure there's no reason not to book them. Of course my latest expiring credit card expires in 6/06, so no rooms in July or August for me. If there's a ME DO in June, 2006, count me in.

Thank you, johnep1

^

I likely will not use any of the weekends I booked, but I figure there's no reason not to book them.

And that's why Starwood will likely have to do something about this -- not because the relatively few $19 stays will kill them, but because everybody is going to tie up a huge percentage of their total inventory at $19 and mostly not use it.

Nevermind, got it to work. Thanks.

And that's why Starwood will likely have to do something about this -- not because the relatively few $19 stays will kill them, but because everybody is going to tie up a huge percentage of their total inventory at $19 and mostly not use it.

The only Starwood glitch rate that I can recall not having been honored is the Bora Bora one.

I doubt that many rooms will be tied up at this rate.

I see a FT get together at the hotel ;)

Booked my family in for a week, 9-16 July. It's a short drive to Old Orchard Beach...what more can one ask!

I've got a 30 night block from 6/17-7/16 and a 20 night block from 7/25-8/14 or so. Can't wait to hear from SPG on this one.

WOW! Thanks. I got some good reservations for Aug,
It may not be my ideal vacation, but for $19, I'm happy to be that much closer to re-uping my plat status, if I need it and to spend a few nights in a great bed, have room service, rent a movie and relax.

If we can get a "companion" airfare going....

The only Starwood glitch rate that I can recall not having been honored is the Bora Bora one.

I doubt that many rooms will be tied up at this rate.

There was the Starwood-Lanesborough debacle too.

Hyatt and their Amerisuites have been very sweet consistently.

It seems to be gone.

I wonder if Starwood will just give the option of moving you big bookers up to Platinum. :D

You also need to select 2 adults. The rate is much higher than $19 if you select 1 adult.

Maybe stay in Portland for a few days on the way to Oslo....

By the way, thank you yet again.

It seems to be gone.

Still there June 9, 2006.

SPG Plat isn't quite worth $1000 to me (yet), so I refrained from booking 50 nights.

By the way, thank you yet again.

You are quite welcome. You have to admit, the game has gotten a lot better over the past few months.

You are quite welcome. You have to admit, the game has gotten a lot better over the past few months.

^^

... just when people were asking "where are all the deals". :D

2005 has been a good year for deals. ^

Seems like May 27 is the first weekend you can book it

and thank you OP

It seems to be gone.

Still there! I just booked 2 blocks of 16 nights 8/15 - 8/31/06 and 9 nights from 9/1 - 9/10/06. Cancel by 6pm Hotel time 1 Day(s) prior to avoid 1 Night penalty

There was the Starwood-Lanesborough debacle too.

Hyatt and their Amerisuites have been very sweet consistently.

I missed out on the Lanesborough deal (was actual travelling), but at least Starwood partially honored the bookings.

And I agree that Hyatt has been very nice about honoring similar rates.

Now I'm just waiting on the first person to report back from Zurich regarding the Best Western deal.

It's one thing to book this rate for a weekend or for a couple of days that you can use, but to hold it for a month or a couple of weeks and just block out inventory is not fair and sort of pathetic!

The Best Western Zurich for around the same price per night should be coming up this next month, if I am not mistaken. I look forward to the first reports. I have it closer to the middle of next year.

As is usual with these kind of deals, there will probably be a fair amount of cancellations.

Apparently, this hotel has airport drop-off and pick-up of some kind. I had no idea that it was anywhere close to the airport.

Any other dates avaliable? I'm not finding anything now... only got 10 nights then it seemed to dry up.

CF

Any other dates avaliable? I'm not finding anything now... only got 10 nights then it seemed to dry up.

CF

June 9 - June 10th is available.

June 9 to June 17 is available at $19.

Update: June 8 to June 17 is still available at $19/night + tax.

Any other dates avaliable? I'm not finding anything now... only got 10 nights then it seemed to dry up.

CF

Aug 25 2006 - Sep 24 2006 (30 nights, Total $570.00), if you want to stay for a month... ;)

:) Any other dates avaliable? I'm not finding anything now... only got 10 nights then it seemed to dry up.

CF

Month-long chunks are available from October 2006 through at least 1/1/2007! The holidays in the frozen north is an option. :)

It seems like a lot is open from 9/30 through the end of December 2006.

Thanks for all the advise... Anyone know why this property does not show up on Expedia or Orbitz?

CF

I think it's just been pulled.

Does anyone know if this negatively impacts the hotel?

^ By coincidence I just received my American Express card last week--now I can get 1000 points for my first stay and 500 points for next 10 stays--total 6000+ points. I just booked 11 nights :p

I think it's just been pulled.

NO, I can still pull the fare.

I think it's just been pulled.
That's odd as the dates I wanted has suddenly showed up again at $19.
^

^ By coincidence I just received my American Express card last week--now I can get 1000 points for my first stay and 500 points for next 10 stays--total 6000+ points. I just booked 11 nights :p

...not to mention the 3K points for the stay three promo! :cool:

CF

^ By coincidence I just received my American Express card last week--now I can get 1000 points for my first stay and 500 points for next 10 stays--total 6000+ points. I just booked 11 nights :p

So you are going to check-in and check-out every day and change hotels in between the first night's stay and the second night's stay or stay in a room with some other registered guest on the "off-nights"?

I thought that the SPG Amex card bonus is 500 bonus points per stay; and I thought that it is not calculated on a per night basis unless a night and a stay are the same thing in a particular situation -- as in one-night stays that are not consecutive. Am I hopefully mistaken?

That's odd as the dates I wanted has suddenly showed up again at $19.
^

The same thing happened to me. When I was getting advise about $19 nights, I tried and the lowest of four available rates was $129. When I logged out, closed all browsers, then opened a new browser the same nights dropped to $19. Very odd indeed!

CF

I noticed if you put in a 'no-smoking' preference or a bed type preference,
the $19 rate does not come up. Otherwise it comes right up and confirms as a
traditional room.

I can't have it come up no matter what I do...

I can't have it come up no matter what I do...

Its still there - uses date after May 27, 2006 and use 2 adults,
no preference to smoking or not and no preference to bedding.
use promotional rate -- and its there.

Its still there - uses date after May 27, 2006 and use 2 adults,
no preference to smoking or not and no preference to bedding.
use promotional rate -- and its there.

In summer, couldn't find anything starting stay on a Friday. But if you start on a Tuesday, everything in summer comes up.

However, everything after 10/6/2006 (that I checked) seems to be available starting stay on any day.

Aug 2-6 for Lobster Fest is available at $19/night (But not Aug 4-8 or 6-8)

NO, I can still pull the fare.

is it really a "fare?"

Well, I don't know that I will go, but have booked the Lobsterfest dates suggested (thanks!), and a week in late October. I don't figure there is much risk this far out. Hopefully I won't forget about the dates!

I booked a total of 3 stays, and then the prices just seemed to disappear. I rechecked dates I already had, but prices were back to normal. I don't know if this offer is gone now, or if the dates are just sold out.

I just booked for my birthday.

Rex

I just booked the lobster fest :)

I agree completely ... it is this sort of greed that could potentially kill this deal for many other FT-ers

I booked three different 3-day weekends of which I will use at least one.

It's one thing to book this rate for a weekend or for a couple of days that you can use, but to hold it for a month or a couple of weeks and just block out inventory is not fair and sort of pathetic!

Pondered... Sell the house, and live in Maine? Naaaah.

As others had mentioned, I found that by closing all my browsers and reopening a new one brought the availability back. Strange.

Dangit... no more dates for the Lobsterfest!

And indeed... VERY poor form to reserve blocks of dates with no real intention to use them.

I will be using mine. Maine is one of the few states I have never been to :)

Don't worry about FTalkers killing this deal. This deal will be killed by Fare Alert when it hits. Wonder why it hasn't hit yet?

Rex

With three majors flying non-stop from LGA, there's bound to be a sale sometime between now and next summer to make this deal very sweet, when you consider all costs.

Thanks! I just booked a long weekend for Memorial Day weekend. It's great for us, even if we drive, as with DH in school, cheap is always good!

Still going....booked July 18-21 no problem

well spotted to the OP - have booked early Oct & late Dec'06 -have no real desire to go from London to Portland, but am now covered if any fare errors to the Boston/Portland area pop-up over the next year! ^

This deal has been up for a few hours and less than 60 posts. Isn't Portland in Maine very interesting? Don't fancy November-March as it sounded too damn cold but July/August looked nice so booked 2 weeks.

I quite like to go to destinations away from tourist hubs so this looks great. Anyhow at this price, I can always fly off elsewhere for a couple of days and then come back again.

Here's a few useful links if you need them. (I may add some more as I find them)

http://www.portlandjetport.org/
http://www.portlandmaine.com/

Thanks OP, great find ^ ! I just booked 3 weekends, July, September, October 06 :D

Looks like it's gone. Everything I pull up is $129

Looks like it's gone. Everything I pull up is $129

Did you try clicking the "book now" button? That brings up another screen, which has the rate.

Looks like it's gone. Everything I pull up is $129

I'm guessing you didn't look in October. Maybe 10/9-10/10?

I booked Jul 12-16 (Wed-Sun) and Sept 15-17 (Fri-Sun) with no problems.
Thanks OP!

Just booked Oct 13-15. Noticed this in the rate terms:
Rate Plan Description: 4Pm Checkout If Available

4PM checkout is a nice bonus :D

Szymon

Thanks OP just booked jul 12/17

Just booked Oct 13-15. Noticed this in the rate terms:
Rate Plan Description: 4Pm Checkout If Available

4PM checkout is a nice bonus :D

Szymon

After spending $190 (10 stays) you get that anyway. :D

I booked two blocks, but now not finding any. Is it dead?

All available as of 11:45am Eastern Time:
07/12-07/16
07/16-07/21
07/27-07/30
09/15-09/17

Still coming up Sept 17 - Oct 6 :D

Looks like the FT Convention of 2006 has found its new home :D And who knew it would generate such a response :p

Wonder what will SPG do :confused:

Most of these rooms are going to get unused

Well, it's a nice hotel to stop in for a night, maybe a weekend, but it's a little hard to imagine planning a whole vacation around the South Portland Sheraton. :)

Wanna bet? It's a great base point. :)

Wanna bet? It's a great base point. :)

I hope you, a big Maine-peddler, got in on this. :D

Thanks!

I hope you, a big Maine-peddler, got in on this. :D

I am all over this. This is AWESOME!!! I booked Mem Day weekend and 3 nights in October (18-21). I have to see what weekends the Portland Seadogs are home so we can go up for the games.

I need just one night, Mon. Jan 16, to coincide with the end of my DCA-PWM skiing run. And it's not coming up as available - only rooms at $159. :(

If anyone grabbed one for that night and isn't really going to use it, and wants to change the name on the reservation to mine - or, can show me what I'm doing wrong - you would have my undying gratitude.

Thank you so much for posting this and helping me find dates. Got the July 27-20 and I have been so wanting to visit Maine!

Hope SPG will honor the rate.

Thank you so much for posting this and helping me find dates. Got the July 27-20 and I have been so wanting to visit Maine!

Hope SPG will honor the rate.

I don't have much faith in Starwood honoring the bookings completely -- given the last debacle I witnessed. I hope I am wrong.

Wanna bet? It's a great base point. :)


Hey, I just rented a Maine cottage for a week last summer. I'll likely do so next summer. But do I want to spend a week at the Portland airport hotel? Probably not. I guess I want more of a "real" Maine experience. :cool:

That said, I am holding a couple of days around a week I might spend elsewhere.

I don't have much faith in Starwood honoring the bookings completely -- given the last debacle I witnessed. I hope I am wrong.

What happened?

Hey, I just rented a Maine cottage for a week last summer. I'll likely do so next summer. But do I want to spend a week at the Portland airport hotel? Probably not. I guess I want more of a "real" Maine experience. :cool:

While I understand your sentiments, at $19, I'd take the hotel and stay longer. :D

It's over folks. There at 1:15pm, gone seconds later for all dates

What happened?

1. We won't honor the bookings.
2. Ok, we will allow you one stay, for up to three nights, at the booked rate, with no changes and none of the quoted amenities/room type noted in the rate.
3. Change in hotel personnel at the heart of the debacle.
4. We will give you some of the quoted amenities but the booked rate is only good for one stay, for up to three nights out of one standing reservation.
5. Well, if you ask us hard enough, you can get what you want.

... and then there is Starwood wiping its hands clean of the mess by saying this is a matter between the hotel and the guest and Starwood has no role to play -- before or after their meaningless press statement and a bit of marketing spin.

Starwood claimed that it was acting only as a "booking agent" and as such had no obligations to see the rate and confirmed reservations honored.

1. We won't honor the bookings.
2. Ok, we will allow you one stay, for up to three nights, at the booked rate, with no changes and none of the quoted amenities/room type noted in the rate.
3. Change in hotel personnel at the heart of the debacle.
4. We will give you some of the quoted amenities but the booked rate is only good for one stay, for up to three nights out of one standing reservation.
5. Well, if you ask us hard enough, you can get what you want.

... and then there is Starwood wiping its hands clean of the mess by saying this is a matter between the hotel and the guest and Starwood has no role to play -- before or after their meaningless press statement and a bit of marketing spin.

Starwood claimed that it was acting only as a "booking agent" and as such had no obligations to see the rate and confirmed reservations honored.

I got the emailed confirmations if that means anything. Any suggestions on what to do to make sure that the SSP honors this rate?

Given previous experiences in VERY similar circumstances, I'll toss this out:

further speculation on our part is futile since the decision will come from on high in White Plains ultimately. Just sit back and sooner or later there will be a response on this from *wood. As I understand it, available dates weren't out there until mid/late summer 2006 anyway, so there aren't dozens of folks clamoring to check in tonight.

That said, *wood will need to issue a quick response to this for a number of reasons, but primarily because folks will begin to book air travel and other affiliated components to align with their hotel res at the Sheraton S Ptld. It gets real sticky when consumers have already booked non-refundable airfares and booked car rentals, etc, and then are told their hotel rate was an error and will not be honored.


ALL THAT SAID, that's precisely what we've seen *wood do in the past.

So ..... my idea is to stop wringing one's hands over it at this point and just wait a coupla days for the official response. FWIW, this is a corporately owned Sheraton.

1. We won't honor the bookings.
2. Ok, we will allow you one stay, for up to three nights, at the booked rate, with no changes and none of the quoted amenities/room type noted in the rate.
3. Change in hotel personnel at the heart of the debacle.
4. We will give you some of the quoted amenities but the booked rate is only good for one stay, for up to three nights out of one standing reservation.
5. Well, if you ask us hard enough, you can get what you want.

... and then there is Starwood wiping its hands clean of the mess by saying this is a matter between the hotel and the guest and Starwood has no role to play -- before or after their meaningless press statement and a bit of marketing spin.

Starwood claimed that it was acting only as a "booking agent" and as such had no obligations to see the rate and confirmed reservations honored.
I'd hate for someone to be fired for something they wouldn't have been fired for anyway. We don't know what caused this rate to appear in the system - human error, computer error, angry (ex-)employee, etc.

It seems to me, though, that *wood would have a good faith obligation to honor these reservations. Especially for a deal that was there for as many hours as this one. From my perspective, I was quoted a price, put a credit card down to guarantee that price and was sent a confirmation email to confirm the deal. If I don't cancel and am a no show, there are obligation on my side. I would expect that same obligation on any of my reservations at any rate. I could understand not honoring name or date changes at the $19 rate, but to not honor it is, well, not honorable on their part.

It might not be convenient for them in the short-term, but their "word" as a corporation is more important in the long run.

I got the emailed confirmations if that means anything. Any suggestions on what to do to make sure that the SSP honors this rate?

Emailed confirmations should mean something, but with Starwood there have been situations where they have not.

I have no suggestions on what to do to make sure that this Starwood hotel honors the rate since there is nothing yet to indicate that Starwood will not honor the confirmed reservations in this situation. For me, it's a bit premature to start worrying.

After all, a few hotels seem to have $19 or so nightly rates available nowadays. :D

Given previous experiences in VERY similar circumstances, I'll toss this out:

further speculation on our part is futile since the decision will come from on high in White Plains ultimately. Just sit back and sooner or later there will be a response on this from *wood. As I understand it, available dates weren't out there until mid/late summer 2006 anyway, so there aren't dozens of folks clamoring to check in tonight.

That said, *wood will need to issue a quick response to this for a number of reasons, but primarily because folks will begin to book air travel and other affiliated components to align with their hotel res at the Sheraton S Ptld. It gets real sticky when consumers have already booked non-refundable airfares and booked car rentals, etc, and then are told their hotel rate was an error and will not be honored.


ALL THAT SAID, that's precisely what we've seen *wood do in the past.

So ..... my idea is to stop wringing one's hands over it at this point and just wait a coupla days for the official response. FWIW, this is a corporately owned Sheraton.

I'd second that.

FWIW, this is a corporately owned Sheraton.

I don't know the ins and outs of Sheratons. Is the fact that the property is corporately owned a positive or a negative with regards to this rate?

I think they'll probably honor it. It's not like nothing, it's $19, similar to a Priceline bid - it's very possible that this $19 covers most of their costs, if not all. Throw in the good PR, and it's a slam-dunk. :)

EDIT: It's also interesting to me that this discussion always follows a similar tack: the presumption from ground zero is that the entity will NOT honor what they offered and agreed to. Good faith agreements are such that all parties assume that all other parties are being honest - you don't assume that the other parties are lying or whatever.

I don't know the ins and outs of Sheratons. Is the fact that the property is corporately owned a positive or a negative with regards to this rate?

If that is correct, it is a positive -- i.e., the "we are only a booking agent" excuse gets weaker when the booking agent and the service provider are in the same corporate umbrella from an ownership perspective.

Also what is interesting about this situation is that it's a domestic property as opposed to an international one.

Also what is interesting about this situation is that it's a domestic property as opposed to an international one.

I think I know where you are going with that ..... and we do seem to think alike. :D

I think I know where you are going with that ..... and we do seem to think alike. :D

Just saying... ;)

What makes me nervous is that these rates are for the summer period, which is the peak travel season to the Portland area. Let's face it - not too many people are clamoring to see Portland in February or March. Many hotels in Maine depend on the summer to make up for the rest of the year. I noticed that rates are $70 more per night in the summer vs. the winter (using two random Saturday nights for each season).
Would they mind selling rooms for $19 in January? Probably not. Summer may be a different story.
I'm no expert on contracts (which is putting it mildly), and I am sure that this has been hashed out numerous times before, but I do know that typically advertisements are not considered to be "offers" under contract law. When we request to book the room, that is really the "offer." And in this case, that offer was accepted by a confirmation. If they did not confirm the rate, then I don't think we would have much of an argument. But... they did confirm it. That to me is the same thing as acceptance in contract speak.
I used this argument successfully in getting a room for $0.14 per night in Paris. (rate posted by an American wholesaler and honored by eventually). But that's another story....

I've had no issue with Hyatt/Amerisuites honoring even $0.01 per night rates. And to their credit, they even sent emails saying that they would welcome us at the rate. No management games there.

Long live the Amerisuites Charlotte Arrowhead. :D

What makes me nervous is that these rates are for the summer period, which is the peak travel season to the Portland area. Let's face it - not too many people are clamoring to see Portland in February or March. Many hotels in Maine depend on the summer to make up for the rest of the year. I noticed that rates are $70 more per night in the summer vs. the winter (using two random Saturday nights for each season).
Would they mind selling rooms for $19 in January? Probably not. Summer may be a different story.

I love Maine in January and February. :D I actually looked to see if the $19 would be available on the weekends of both months but came up empty.

I love Maine in January and February. :D I actually looked to see if the $19 would be available on the weekends of both months but came up empty.

My point was that you are the exception - even if I do agree with you.

My point was that you are the exception - even if I do agree with you.

I may be the exception but I still can't get $19 on those midwinter weekends. :( Oh well.

I may be the exception but I still can't get $19 on those midwinter weekends. :( Oh well.

The first rates I saw were for April 2006 going through December 2006. It sounds like a long ways off .... but maybe that is because I am no spring chicken. :D

I booked Memorial Day weekend and then another weekend in October. Will use one or the other. Tried for July 4th but couldn't get the $19 rate. Much thanks to the original poster.

I've had no issue with Hyatt/Amerisuites honoring even $0.01 per night rates. And to their credit, they even sent emails saying that they would welcome us at the rate. No management games there.

Long live the Amerisuites Charlotte Arrowhead. :D

Well, we'll get "compare and contrast" today.

My guess is that the Amerisuites Memphis will honor their $19 rate today, and the Sheraton Portland will try to weasel out of theirs.

But we'll see.

Can anyone confirm that the deal is dead, for those who are just checking FT...

I checked a few dates that worked last night, which are now not working.

yep. dead.

...and the Sheraton Portland will try to weasel out of theirs.


I don't know if you can call it that. These are mistakes, after all, and I would prefer a clear and prompt "no" to the kind of indecisive and shady behaviors we have seen with some hotels and airfares recently (e.g., honoring the rate for one night only, honoring a fully flexible airfare but not allowing changes, etc.)

Good luck to all those of you who got in on this deal!

I think they'll probably honor it.

good guess. they also might not.

good guess. they also might not.

They might not, but I think they probably will. I could be wrong.

Unless I'm right. ;)

nothing so far from SPG...


Wondering if they are checking how many people took advantage of this offer :confused:

nothing so far from SPG...


Wondering if they are checking how many people took advantage of this offer :confused:

But why would they have anything to say? They said what they needed to say, which is "we confirm your reservation at $19/night plus tax." No further communication is necessary, is it?

I am sure this was 1 day promotional rate offer to encourage travellers who don't normally stay at a Sheraton, to try out one of their lesser profile properties. Not marketed very well but Sheraton should thank FlyerTalk for their assistence and if it had not been for the OP, then this promotion would have been a failure.

Simply can't understand thinking it was a fare mistake because a professional company like Sheraton would have contacted everyone immediately to inform them of the error. In the slight chance it could have been an error, I waited 24 hours but with no contact I am assuming that everything is OK and I am now booking flights.

Quite frankly it's not that good value as British Airways offered much cheaper accommodation on their Flights and Nights promotion in December 2004.

In the slight chance it could have been an error, I waited 24 hours but with no contact I am assuming that everything is OK and I am now booking flights.

Obviously, you do not follow the Mileage Run forum very much. I think Disney took about a week before they started calling people and cancelling/changing their reservations several weeks back. For the AmeriSuites $.01 deal, it was a few days before we got the email saying they would honor it.

I am sure this was 1 day promotional rate offer to encourage travellers who don't normally stay at a Sheraton, to try out one of their lesser profile properties.

Are you being serious????

Quite frankly it's not that good value as British Airways offered much cheaper accommodation on their Flights and Nights promotion in December 2004.

You get a good deal and then you complain about it not being as good a deal as another? :td:

Are you being serious????".... but Sheraton should thank FlyerTalk for their assistence and if it had not been for the OP, then this promotion would have been a failure."

The words "hook, line and sinker" immediately come to mind. ;)

".... but Sheraton should thank FlyerTalk for their assistence and if it had not been for the OP, then this promotion would have been a failure."

The words "hook, line and sinker" immediately come to mind. ;)

Drat, that hook hurts coming out.

Obviously, you do not follow the Mileage Run forum very much. I think Disney took about a week before they started calling people and cancelling/changing their reservations several weeks back. For the AmeriSuites $.01 deal, it was a few days before we got the email saying they would honor it.

AmeriSuites contacted me immediately the next day via email and their approach to the matter was admirable as one should expect with all confirmed reservations.

Quite frankly it's not that good value as British Airways offered much cheaper accommodation on their Flights and Nights promotion in December 2004.

BA also offered quite cheap overnight accomodations around Thanksgiving 2002 that included a flight to Europe. :)

AmeriSuites contacted me immediately the next day via email and their approach to the matter was admirable as one should expect with all confirmed reservations.

I was contacted 3 days afterwards via email.

For what it's woth, the Hilton in Silver Springs honored a $15 rate per night I got 2 years ago. To the hotel's credit, they treated me as a regular Hilton Diamond, upgrading me and giving me breakfast coupons.

And, this stay was in my pre-flyertalk days, so please don't ask why it wasn't posted!

Hi,

as expected, I got a phone call from Sheraton South Portland a couple of minutes ago. They were whining about some human error, the rate should have been $169. They offered me a $99 rate. Well, I told them that I booked a $19 rate and that a have a confirmation plus print-out from the web page, additionally there is a rate guarantee on the Starwood web-page. I offered to cancel 2 of my bookings and leave the other ones at $19. I actually did 4 bookings knowing that I really only want two of them :D . ' Ohhh, I have to ask the management'.
And while I am writing this, I got another phone call, not surprisingly they accepted! So 2 nice October weekends confirmed at $19 :D .
Hope everybody will get a deal with them!

very clever! I just want Goldpoints for my reservations - whatcha think of chances of that?

I never get called on these type of things - either they too cheap, or don't know how to call abroad.

very clever! I just want Goldpoints for my reservations - whatcha think of chances of that?

I never get called on these type of things - either they too cheap, or don't know how to call abroad.


just wait a little bit, with several hundred reservations, that's going to take a while to call everybody. I am sure you can talk them into many things, in October they can easily sell the room for $150 up, so anything which gets rid of some of the bookings will be welcome.

Hi,

as expected, I got a phone call from Sheraton South Portland a couple of minutes ago. They were whining about some human error, the rate should have been $169. They offered me a $99 rate. Well, I told them that I booked a $19 rate and that a have a confirmation plus print-out from the web page, additionally there is a rate guarantee on the Starwood web-page. I offered to cancel 2 of my bookings and leave the other ones at $19. I actually did 4 bookings knowing that I really only want two of them :D . ' Ohhh, I have to ask the management'.
And while I am writing this, I got another phone call, not surprisingly they accepted! So 2 nice October weekends confirmed at $19 :D .
Hope everybody will get a deal with them!

So are they making sporadic phone calls? Nobody has called me.

I haven't been contacted either. Guess that means they're holding me to our agreement. :mad: ;)

Or maybe they just started calling today, there is only 1 person from the hotel doing all the calling, and that person has to call 100s of people who made the reservations.

Some people have no patience. :rolleyes:

;) ;)

Well I called this one -- Starwood is one of the few travel companies that doesn't honor their "mistakes."

I guess my call will be coming sometime, too. Let me know what people are able to negotiate. I personally would be willing to trade SPG points for my stays. Let me know if anyone tries that.

Hi,

as expected, I got a phone call from Sheraton South Portland a couple of minutes ago. They were whining about some human error, the rate should have been $169. They offered me a $99 rate. Well, I told them that I booked a $19 rate and that a have a confirmation plus print-out from the web page, additionally there is a rate guarantee on the Starwood web-page. I offered to cancel 2 of my bookings and leave the other ones at $19. I actually did 4 bookings knowing that I really only want two of them :D . ' Ohhh, I have to ask the management'.
And while I am writing this, I got another phone call, not surprisingly they accepted! So 2 nice October weekends confirmed at $19 :D .
Hope everybody will get a deal with them!

I'm probably going to get flamed for saying this, but if you made two or more weekend reservations, and they offer to honor two of the reservations @ $19/night in exchange for releasing your other reservations (if you have any), that seems reasonable.

What does anyone else think?

And bear in mind, they may not contact everyone with reservations.

just wait a little bit, with several hundred reservations, that's going to take a while to call everybody. I am sure you can talk them into many things, in October they can easily sell the room for $150 up, so anything which gets rid of some of the bookings will be welcome.

Wish I could share your optimism - I never seem to have any luck - while others get $000's in vouchers from TL for not flying to Fiji, I have to pay them the service fee to get my LEB fares refunded. While AA gave everyone the miles not to fly LON-Cleveland, I actually lost money getting my 1st Class res's to ART in their system refunded. Amerisuites gave me the brush-off when tried to negotiate the 3 weeks I had booked for 1 cent/night also.

I'm probably going to get flamed for saying this, but if you made two or more weekend reservations, and they offer to honor two of the reservations @ $19/night in exchange for releasing your other reservations (if you have any), that seems reasonable.

What does anyone else think?


I think Sheraton/SPG should contentrate their time & resources on improving their I.T./Billing systems, rather than leaving it as be, and dis-honouring confirmed reservations with a pricing mistake.

They probably will think I ain't going to come & call my bluff - but Boston's only 90 miles away with a good train connection - I may very well burn up a few miles and travel first-class on BA to use this deal, just to call their double-bluff - I could afford to anyways, as can redeem for half-mileage, due to a credit card promo, & am earning 2,000 miles a day currently through BA's commerical partners.

I'm probably going to get flamed for saying this, but if you made two or more weekend reservations, and they offer to honor two of the reservations @ $19/night in exchange for releasing your other reservations (if you have any), that seems reasonable.

What does anyone else think?

And bear in mind, they may not contact everyone with reservations.

Well, officially they should honor ALL of the reservations, but I guess we are all looking for some kind of deal which works for us. On the Starwood webpage they quote 'CUSTOMER SERVICE. Rest assured that your reservation will be error free. That means no surprises at check-in.' :D . So I shared this quote with them and then offered the 'get 2 cancel 2' deal, mentioning that I already made some travel arrangements for the two October weekends (I did buy some tokens for the Boston T explicitly for this trip :D :D :D ).
Actually, I was looking for a hassle free deal, who wants to write 3 letters/Emails to the HQs and make a big thing out of this .. no time for trouble.
The lady on the phone told me that 'she' would eventually call everybody with a $19 reservation, but maybe this was just to make me feel better ;) . I guess they are first looking into to the 'major offenders' :D .
I am looking forward to reading what other people negotiated.

very clever! I just want Goldpoints for my reservations - whatcha think of chances of that?

I never get called on these type of things - either they too cheap, or don't know how to call abroad.

Your chances are probably not very good since Starwood only issues Starpoints. Goldpoints are another hotel chain all-together.

CF

So it appears it is between each of us and the Sheraton Portland... what about Starwood? Where do they stand on this? With me (and my $19 reservation) or with the Sheraton Portland?

Apparently I'm actually SPG Gold until Feb'06, although I booked this res. under another account no. (both have never used before, which explains my confusion over Star & GoldPoints) - it says Gold will earn 3 BA miles per $ spent, plus 2,000 miles per stay, 1st 3 stays.

Therefore I'd settle for the mileage equivalent of say a $150/night rate, plus the 2k bonuses. As I have 12 nights, covering 2 stays - I make that 9,400 miles compensation to get the rooms back - anyone think that's the right amount or not to settle, since that's what they seem to be doing?

So it appears it is between each of us and the Sheraton Portland... what about Starwood? Where do they stand on this? With me (and my $19 reservation) or with the Sheraton Portland?

or in other words... who is doing a favor to who?

Hi,

as expected, I got a phone call from Sheraton South Portland a couple of minutes ago. They were whining about some human error, the rate should have been $169. They offered me a $99 rate. Well, I told them that I booked a $19 rate and that a have a confirmation plus print-out from the web page, additionally there is a rate guarantee on the Starwood web-page. I offered to cancel 2 of my bookings and leave the other ones at $19. I actually did 4 bookings knowing that I really only want two of them :D . ' Ohhh, I have to ask the management'.
And while I am writing this, I got another phone call, not surprisingly they accepted! So 2 nice October weekends confirmed at $19 :D .
Hope everybody will get a deal with them!

When I called *wood customer service, they said that the $19 rate was a "BAR 10" rate, which should have been $109... said that someone forgot to add the "0" in the middle so it came out to $19. I also called the hotel and the first gal I spoke with said if I would have shown up tonight with a $19 rate she would have honored it. I have almost 90 nights booked, and planning on using some WN RR tickets to get out that way. I lost my *wood Platinum last year when I went for Hyatt Diamond so if I could swap those 90 nights for platinum membership until 2007, I'd be happy.

CF

Apparently I'm actually SPG Gold until Feb'06, although I booked this res. under another account no. (both have never used before, which explains my confusion over Star & GoldPoints) - it says Gold will earn 3 BA miles per $ spent, plus 2,000 miles per stay, 1st 3 stays.

Therefore I'd settle for the mileage equivalent of say a $150/night rate, plus the 2k bonuses. As I have 12 nights, covering 2 stays - I make that 9,400 miles compensation to get the rooms back - anyone think that's the right amount or not to settle, since that's what they seem to be doing?

Hi:

Confused: You say that Gold gets 3 BA miles... I thought that a Gold *wood account got three *points per dollar spent. Where does the 2K bonus for each of the first three stays come from? Did you get some kind of targeted snail mail?

Inquiring minds want to know.

CF

Called me this morning (woke me up, actually), but I didn't answer. Left no message. I wouldn't call myself a "major offender" - one weekend in May and another in October.

No call to me yet... I booked 4 weekends.
Do you think that geography may have something to do with it?
I've live about a 2.5 hour drive from Portland. Do others who were called not live near Portland? Maybe they are thinking that these folks aren't terribly serious about coming to Portland.

As for someone who wants to negotiate from Britain.... I say good luck. I think you're holding a much less powerful hand living on that side of the pond. But who knows?

Called me this morning (woke me up, actually), but I didn't answer. Left no message. I wouldn't call myself a "major offender" - one weekend in May and another in October.

I would not call anyone an "offender"... no matter how many nights they booked.

I would not call anyone an "offender"... no matter how many nights they booked.

o.k., it was a JOKE :D

No call to me yet... I booked 4 weekends.
Do you think that geography may have something to do with it?
I've live about a 2.5 hour drive from Portland. Do others who were called not live near Portland? Maybe they are thinking that these folks aren't terribly serious about coming to Portland.

As for someone who wants to negotiate from Britain.... I say good luck. I think you're holding a much less powerful hand living on that side of the pond. But who knows?

Well, I live in Boston, so this is pretty close.

Do you think that geography may have something to do with it?
I've live about a 2.5 hour drive from Portland. Do others who were called not live near Portland? Maybe they are thinking that these folks aren't terribly serious about coming to Portland.

Just logged on from the West Coast. First thing I saw in my mailbox was an email from Maine. Was offered the $99/night deal. Have two 4-day stays booked in hopes of making the Maine DO for some leaf-peeping.

I would not call anyone an "offender"... no matter how many nights they booked.

I think there is a line to be drawn somewhere between being reasonable and being, let's say... overly ambituous.

I personally draw the line at booking something more than would reasonably mirror my travel patterns if I was paying full price.... and staying for 60 nights is not something I would ever do. But that's just me. And we can debate this all we want, but people are going to do whatever they want to - whatever results the debate yields.

Hi:

Confused: You say that Gold gets 3 BA miles... I thought that a Gold *wood account got three *points per dollar spent. Where does the 2K bonus for each of the first three stays come from? Did you get some kind of targeted snail mail?

Inquiring minds want to know.

CF

Would appear so - cannot remember how I became Gold, nor can I check right now as my home p.c. has been half-destroyed by a virus - but shall investigate later..at work however, I read & re-read the Gold introduction, and is indeed the case - however this was last february, and only have about 4 months left of this status, and opportunity to earn this.

Would appear so - cannot remember how I became Gold, nor can I check right now as my home p.c. has been half-destroyed by a virus - but shall investigate later..at work however, I read & re-read the Gold introduction, and is indeed the case - however this was last february, and only have about 4 months left of this status, and opportunity to earn this.
I think you became Gold the same way as me. There was a link on the BA forum around a 9 months ago. I remember that first 3 bookings got xxxx bonus points but can't remember exact details.

If I'm the hotel I'd call your bluff that you are a no show.. I'd look at this as hmmm From London.. I'll take my chances with this one before I give them anything

Apparently I'm actually SPG Gold until Feb'06, although I booked this res. under another account no. (both have never used before, which explains my confusion over Star & GoldPoints) - it says Gold will earn 3 BA miles per $ spent, plus 2,000 miles per stay, 1st 3 stays.

Therefore I'd settle for the mileage equivalent of say a $150/night rate, plus the 2k bonuses. As I have 12 nights, covering 2 stays - I make that 9,400 miles compensation to get the rooms back - anyone think that's the right amount or not to settle, since that's what they seem to be doing?

so what are they gonna do - sell my room on even while reserved and intend to probably go for one of my two stays have booked?

The longer the stay, the more likely it is to be used too?

The hotel is going to have trouble calling a bluff properly, especially when there is no bluff.

One of two things..

1. they are not overbooked or sold out... so they win
2. if they are overbooked/sold out, they are more likely to sell that room at a lucrative price. and the price to walk you still would yield more money to them if they honored your rez in this situation..

the hotel has the odds in its favor with someone from London.. just like the hotel would with me if the hotel was in London

so what are they gonna do - sell my room on even while reserved and intend to probably go for one of my two stays have booked?

the only bluff is that I might decide to go Business Class, to save 25k miles each - and not yet flown NCW, just F & WT+ :cool:

Am quite happy about this deal, as fits in with my imending demotion from Royal Ambassador, so no need for loyalty anymore - plus appears to be the best hotel I've booked so far in the U.S. at any of these silly rates that pop-up,ie. Amerisuites - now that one was never really gona be taken up.

the hotel has the odds in its favor with someone from London.. just like the hotel would with me if the hotel was in London

:D how many times have I seen you Yanks flocks over here in droves to take advantage of an error like the Lanesborough...'ooh, I was just planning on coming over next month anyways, or 'I always wanted an excuse to visit Buckingham Palace'

One of two things..


the hotel has the odds in its favor with someone from London.. just like the hotel would with me if the hotel was in London

Hi!

I hope that they do honour the room. I booked for the last week of Sept'06 and begining Oct'06. I do plan to really use the room.. I don't want to arrive there and find the my room has been given away or asked to pay an exorbitant price for the room! I guess the safestest would be to call b4 hand? :confused:

:)

I have yet to recieve a call or an email. Can't wait till I do. When they do I call I have some firepower on my side. I am currently taking a business law class and my professor is a corporate lawyer who strictly deals with contracts. My professor said she would have no problems helping me get the rate.

Rex
US Navy

Hi!

I was just checking my SPG page, and noticed that they have removed the reservations I made for this hotel under the "current reservation" section. It used to show the reservations.. hmm.. I will check my mails tomorrow when I get back to work and see if I received any mails from them.. if not I will give SPG a call and try and work out something ..

If they are not going to honor those rates, I am going to try and fight for someting worthwhile for it.. for those few mins spending booking the rooms :p

:)

Hmmmm, my reservations are still showing... haven't decided what to do yet.

So you are going to check-in and check-out every day and change hotels in between the first night's stay and the second night's stay or stay in a room with some other registered guest on the "off-nights"?

I thought that the SPG Amex card bonus is 500 bonus points per stay; and I thought that it is not calculated on a per night basis unless a night and a stay are the same thing in a particular situation -- as in one-night stays that are not consecutive. Am I hopefully mistaken?

I live less than an hour from this hotel and booked one night stays in four different months--I do plan on actually staying there for all nights booked. The first stay gets me 1000 points--the next 10 stays earn 500 points each.

...not to mention the 3K points for the stay three promo! :cool:

CF
Please tell me more about this promo. Thanks for your help. ^

My reservations disappeared from "My Reservations", too, but they did turn up when I searched by confirmation number. Try that.

It appears to me that they may be just unilaterally canceling the reservations.

EDIT: I'm wrong - they must be working on their website or something, but my reservations are there again, so no changes have been made that I can see.

If I get a phone call, I'll post the details here. :)

When I logged in tonite into SPG, it showed my two reservations. I did however have to enter my confirmation number in two days agon.

Rex

I just viewed my 3 reservations next year on SPG.com. No changes, no questions. This looks good to me. :)

just tried to book every w/e in sept/oct and the hotel rate was never lower than $129 at Spg.com. :mad: :( ny fault did not move fast enough!

(FARE GONE) Sheraton South Portland - $19/night

(FARE GONE) Sheraton South Portland - $19/night

Are you trying to say that the "fare" is gone?

Are you trying to say that the "fare" is gone?

No, I'm trying to say the fare is gone.

:D

Still no phone call or email.
Is this true for others?

Still no phone call or email.
Is this true for others?

Nothing for me.

still waiting nothing yet

still waiting nothing yet
They haven't tried to call me back after that first time.

So what do we think this means?
I guess no news is good news. Perhaps they have whittled the reservations down to a reasonable number. This is especially possible since it never made it to the farealert email. I'm not sure if it made it to fatwallet, etc.

Still... maybe they figure there is no rush and they are strategizing. The first reservations aren't until June, IIRC.

So what do we think this means?
I guess no news is good news. Perhaps they have whittled the reservations down to a reasonable number. This is especially possible since it never made it to the farealert email. I'm not sure if it made it to fatwallet, etc.

Still... maybe they figure there is no rush and they are strategizing. The first reservations aren't until June, IIRC.

I was also thinking "no news is good news."

Not sure when the first availability was exactly, be we do have May reservations (still a long way off and time for them to try to weasel out).

I was also thinking "no news is good news."

Not sure when the first availability was exactly, be we do have May reservations (still a long way off and time for them to try to weasel out).

I believe someone on the Starwood board has reservations for April. I have reservations for Memorial Day weekend, so I'm interested to see if they'll honor them. I'll call prior to booking any non-refundable rates, or if we decide to go anyway, I'll make sure to have a back-up room.

Just logged in and my reservation appears in my list, but when I click it... We're sorry system unavailable... But my other reservations works!
I guess it was cancelled or something... :confused: :td: Anyone else?

Just logged in and my reservation appears in my list, but when I click it... We're sorry system unavailable... But my other reservations works!
I guess it was cancelled or something... :confused: :td: Anyone else?

From my side, everything appears to be fine.

Works fine for me

Just checked and mine is fine also.

this is really strange. They called me and we agreed on canceling 2 of my reservations and leave the other two as is. When I check them on spg all 4 reservations are still up. So despite my approval they did not cancel them (or raise the rate). My guess is that someone higher up has stopped them from calling up customers; looks like they are going to honor all reservations :D .

this is really strange. They called me and we agreed on canceling 2 of my reservations and leave the other two as is. When I check them on spg all 4 reservations are still up. So despite my approval they did not cancel them (or raise the rate). My guess is that someone higher up has stopped them from calling up customers; looks like they are going to honor all reservations :D .

Do you guys see it on your list? I see it in my reservation list too! But if I click on "details" or "Get complete details about this rate, taxes and other charges" I get this...

We're Sorry
The system is temporarily unavailable. For assistance, please call 866-500-8320 in the U.S. or Canada. Residents of all other countries, please see our Worldwide Reservations Offices.Thank you. We apologize for any inconvenience.

But when I click on my other reservations listed, the system is fine.
Mine was not inappropriate at all... One weekend (2 nights) in October for our anniversary. I'm dissapointed, but what else can I do... :(

Just checked mine the details appear and it looks ok

Mine appear to be fine, I can view the rate, and it still shows.

I wonder if I should call SPG. If I do maybe they will tell me it's a mistake and they might cancel it or they might change the rate without my consent!? Who knows? :confused:

deleted

I wonder if I should call SPG. If I do maybe they will tell me it's a mistake and they might cancel it or they might change the rate without my consent!? Who knows? :confused:

NB --

I know you're nervous about your reservations on this one. Were I in your shoes, I'd simply call the hotel directly myself and ask for the front desk. Kindly ask the front desk agent who answers to confirm your reservation before you hit the road for the drive South to Maine. Get the name of the agent with whom you spoke.

That ought to do it.

I know that the rate is gone.

Even if the rate were still available, I would refuse to take it.

$19 is just too expensive for a night in Portland. With that kind of money I can stay in Tokyo/Osaka Hilton for ONE WEEK. ;) ;)

Easy to say now! :) That was before the Tokyo/Osaka deal. If now I had a $2 deal in NYC... would you pass your turn? :)

I know that the rate is gone.

Even if the rate were still available, I would refuse to take it.

$19 is just too expensive for a night in Portland. With that kind of money I can stay in Tokyo/Osaka Hilton for ONE WEEK. ;) ;)

:D but we can cancel the Portland deal at any time w/o cost :D can you? ;) Plus, nice foliage in Portland, what is up in Osaka :rolleyes: .

:D but we can cancel the Portland deal at any time w/o cost :D can you? ;) Plus, nice foliage in Portland, what is up in Osaka :rolleyes: .

hmm do you forget wonderful foliage in New England? Do I need to fly to PDX to see the same thing? :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

BTW, April in Osaka, cherry bloosm season :p :p

:confused: PDX ?, PWM ! :D , or did I book the wrong thing

I know that the rate is gone.

Even if the rate were still available, I would refuse to take it.

$19 is just too expensive for a night in Portland. With that kind of money I can stay in Tokyo/Osaka Hilton for ONE WEEK. ;) ;)

Or maybe not? :)

:confused: PDX ?, PWM ! :D , or did I book the wrong thing

So I assume, at least for the moment, Sheraton has given up calling anyone regarding the Portland reservations? I see that my reservations is still in the system with the $19 rate attached.

The Hilton Japan fiasco certainly raises new questions about a hotelier's duty to timely dishonor rates that it considers to be a "mistake." And, certainly a $19 rate in Portland is different from a $3 rate in Tokyo. A reasonable traveller could certainly conclude after several weeks have gone by that his or her reservation is "valid" and will be honored.

My recollection is that the rate didn't kick in for several months, so that there isn't anyone showing up yet under this "rate plan." What was the first permissible check-in date?

So I assume, at least for the moment, Sheraton has given up calling anyone regarding the Portland reservations? I see that my reservations is still in the system with the $19 rate attached.

My recollection is that the rate didn't kick in for several months, so that there isn't anyone showing up yet under this "rate plan." What was the first permissible check-in date?


It seems as if you are correct. There have been no reports of telephone calls for quite some time.
I believe that the longer this goes on, the more likely it is they will honor the rate. But that's just my two cents.
Perhaps the number of rooms booked at this rate was not worth the publicity of cancelling the reservations. After all, I would hazard to guess that fewer people visit Portland, ME than Tokyo! I also bet a number of people will cancel their reservations. Surely some people will balk if they have to incur significant travel expenses.

The first check-in is this spring. (May??) I'm anxious to hear how that goes.

Legally, I would also think that a court would impose a duty of "reasonable notice" upon a merchant who offers a "mistaken" internet rate. Obviously, the Sheraton knows about the rate in this instance. I don't think they can "lay in wait" for the first traveller to check-in and say "Oh, that's really $119."

Personally, I think failure to give notice of dis-honor after 14 days of a reservation should negate a "mistake" defense, but I'd hate to have to tell that to a judge. :)

So I assume, at least for the moment, Sheraton has given up calling anyone regarding the Portland reservations? I see that my reservations is still in the system with the $19 rate attached.

The Hilton Japan fiasco certainly raises new questions about a hotelier's duty to timely dishonor rates that it considers to be a "mistake." And, certainly a $19 rate in Portland is different from a $3 rate in Tokyo. A reasonable traveller could certainly conclude after several weeks have gone by that his or her reservation is "valid" and will be honored.

My recollection is that the rate didn't kick in for several months, so that there isn't anyone showing up yet under this "rate plan." What was the first permissible check-in date?

Mine was not "cancelled" but something happened... It is still there in my SPG online account, however; no rates, room or any other info is available when I select it to see the details. When I called SPG, I was told that it is a mistake and that there's an error :rolleyes: and that the reservation price
is $109. :confused:

Mine was not "cancelled" but something happened... It is still there in my SPG online account, however; no rates, room or any other info is available when I select it to see the details. When I called SPG, I was told that it is a mistake and that there's an error :rolleyes: and that the reservation price
is $109. :confused:

After booking, you got an email with all the details of your reservation. The $19 rate is clearly mentioned in that confirmation email. That should be enough.

Is it ok if I send you them bill if I'm charged $109? ;)

Interesting...


Mine is still there at $19.00.

It does say "Best Available Rate" - and in this case I would agree. ;)

I think the short size of this thread compared to Tokyo shows that not too many rooms overall were booked. Let's hope this is true, and that they have decided cancellations are not worth the bad press.

Mine was not "cancelled" but something happened... It is still there in my SPG online account, however; no rates, room or any other info is available when I select it to see the details. When I called SPG, I was told that it is a mistake and that there's an error :rolleyes: and that the reservation price
is $109. :confused:

I just checked again, $19/night for all of my bookings.

No problems with viewing my Travelocity or Starwood res. That Travelocity guarantee is snuggly compared to Expedia. :cool:

I decided to call Starwood two days ago to get this over with and to confirm my 19$ rate reservation. After being on hold for 10 minutes, the person returned and told me that the reservation was accepted and that I would get an email confirmation soon. Later that day, I got my email from the hotel manager welcoming us even with our 19$ rate. Hope this helps everyone else with a 19$ reservation. However, my reservation is only a couple of days, not for a month or even a week. So I don't know about you guys with month long reservation, sorry... :confused:

I decided to call Starwood two days ago to get this over with and to confirm my 19$ rate reservation. After being on hold for 10 minutes, the person returned and told me that the reservation was accepted and that I would get an email confirmation soon. Later that day, I got my email from the hotel manager welcoming us even with our 19$ rate. Hope this helps everyone else with a 19$ reservation. However, my reservation is only a couple of days, not for a month or even a week. So I don't know about you guys with month long reservation, sorry... :confused:

I looks like this might be one of the few deals, which will be honored ^ , looking at some the other posts on this page :td: :td: . All my reservations are fine and show $19 @ *wood.

I had talked to the hotel a few weeks ago and was told that we are going to honor the rate.I had 4 days in july booked and just come its 19.00.I have no status with wood but because of thier attitude I will book more with them.

My reservation for August still looks good. Unless I can get a good rate on airfare at the time, I may end up canceling it. We shall see.

I had talked to the hotel a few weeks ago and was told that we are going to honor the rate.I had 4 days in july booked and just come its 19.00.I have no status with wood but because of thier attitude I will book more with them.

Those 19$ rates might be good for *wood after all, they might bring new SPG members... some are considering converting!
:D

Those 19$ rates might be good for *wood after all, they might bring new SPG members... some are considering converting!
:D
I shall be certainly putting my business Starwood's way from now on. Off to HKG shortly and will chose the Sheraton purely because they are honouring this. I also applaud Starwood for having the vision to allow one of their employees to represent their company on this website.

British Airways also have an official lurker who answers questions.

Surely then it can be no coincidence that both firms have honoured mistakes recently.

thanks for bumping this thread & reminding me where it was I had two weeks booked at..was worried the dates had passed, but no idea where. :D

thanks for bumping this thread & reminding me where it was I had two weeks booked at..was worried the dates had passed, but no idea where. :D

As easy as posting on Flyertalk, you can set up a folder in your email box called "Reservations". Then when you get a email confirmation from a Hotel, Rental Car or Airline, you can move it there. Also, you can put it on a calendar in your cell phone, Outlook Calendar, Day Planner, etc.

Ain't electronics grand?

CF :)

As easy as posting on Flyertalk, you can set up a folder in your email box called "Reservations". Then when you get a email confirmation from a Hotel, Rental Car or Airline, you can move it there. Also, you can put it on a calendar in your cell phone, Outlook Calendar, Day Planner, etc.

Ain't electronics grand?

CF :)

you aint on gmail evidently. accordin to them, folders are history. So I just search for keywords instead.

Nobody wouldn't happen to have one of these reservations for this coming Friday night, 1/13, that they're not going to use, do they? PM me if you do.

Thanks!

Has anyone has their reservations cancelled or spoken to Starwood about the reservations in July?

Has anyone has their reservations cancelled or spoken to Starwood about the reservations in July?

My reservation is for August and I have heard nuthin' from nobody.

Sounds like the place will be loaded with FT'ers this summer.

I'll be there in October to see the leaves turn. :)

Anybody successfully make a name change on a res?
I would like to pass this to my parents, i.e. same last name.

Or they could check in with authorised use of my credit card?

Mine is for Memorial Day weekend. Could we perhaps come up with a list of who will be up there, and when?

I would think that a name change would cause it to be a new rate, but I've made reservations in my name and had my father check in instead. He and my mother will show up, they'll assume my mother is me, and he'll check in, giving them his credit card. They haven't had a problem.

I'll be there in October to see the leaves turn. :)

I'm there 2 nights in Sept

I do see that you can change the name for a reservation online. I wonder if anyone has had any luck doing this?

For the others here, with a 19$ rate at the Sheraton South Portland.

Rate Plan as described online with my reservation;

Rate Plan Description
Absolutely No Changes Allowed!!!!!!
No Changes Allowed. Period, No Exceptions!!!! Per Jason

I do not think this is a professional or adequate way to describe a member's reservation. 19$ or not this is a "loud" way to greet a patron. This "change" was added in the past 24 hours. Did anyone else get this "modification"?

Don't see that language on any of my reservations.
This is what it says for mine:

"4Pm Checkout If Available. 12 & Under Eat Free From The Kids)Menu. One Meal Per Child Per Adult Meal From Standard Menu."

I wonder what room we'll be getting... Do you think they are converting a closet in the basement to become the "room" for this special?
Actually... I have to say that I have been very impressed with Sheraton so far. I will definitely book with them again based on how honorably they have handled this.

Who is Jason :confused:

For the others here, with a 19$ rate at the Sheraton South Portland.

Rate Plan as described online with my reservation;

Rate Plan Description
Absolutely No Changes Allowed!!!!!!
No Changes Allowed. Period, No Exceptions!!!! Per Jason

I do not think this is a professional or adequate way to describe a member's reservation. 19$ or not this is a "loud" way to greet a patron. This "change" was added in the past 24 hours. Did anyone else get this "modification"?

I don't have any notes like that in my reservation.

Who is Jason :confused:

Don't have a clue?? A supervisor at the Sheraton S.Portland I imagine?!

Like I posted on my message this is what was written on my reservation details online...

Rate Plan; Rate Plan Description
Absolutely No Changes Allowed!!!!!!
No Changes Allowed. Period, No Exceptions!!!! Per Jason

Don't see that language on any of my reservations.
This is what it says for mine:

"4Pm Checkout If Available. 12 & Under Eat Free From The Kids)Menu. One Meal Per Child Per Adult Meal From Standard Menu."

I wonder what room we'll be getting... Do you think they are converting a closet in the basement to become the "room" for this special?
Actually... I have to say that I have been very impressed with Sheraton so far. I will definitely book with them again based on how honorably they have handled this.

Who knows maybe we'll get a suite! :rolleyes: I know the Sheraton South Portland and the hotel itself is nice. The hotel is (2 small towers) next to each other and one of the two is actually nicer than the other one. One has been revamped and renovated; the other one asn't... Guess which one we'll get. I don't know if as of today both towers are now "equally" nice???

Mine says Newly Renovated,I called weeks ago and was told the rate will be honored.So far I cant say anything bad about this deal,I plan on using Starwood for more reservations because of this.

I've been here (this prop) before and its ok, nothing great, but also nothing bad to report either. I will make a mental note to remember to avoid anyone named Jason when I check in. At least thats the advantage I'll have at check in, assuming they wear name tags. If by chance I get Jason, I'll know enough to be prepared for a battle. Preparation is 75% of the way to winning the battle.

Starwood Lurker said that "Jason" may have been posting that way so that the hotel employees -- at check-in -- ONLY charge the bargain rate and don't dare to try charge a higher rate under any circumstances. In that case, remember to thank "Jason" since he may have just saved you from an awkward situation at check-in where a hotel employee arbitrarily decides to change the reservation/rate to the customer's detriment.

^ Thanks for the info, GUWonder. And extra-special thanks to Starwood Lurker. ^

Starwood Lurker said that "Jason" may have been posting that way so that the hotel employees -- at check-in -- ONLY change the bargain rate and don't dare to try charge a higher rate under any circumstances. In that case, remember to thank "Jason" since he may have just saved you from an awkward situation at check-in where a hotel employee arbitrarily decides to change the reservation/rate to the customer's detriment.

If they would ever decide to change the rate, I would dispute the charge and refuse to pay. I have a reservation copy and I would send it to Starwood and to MBNA also since the reservation was on my MBNA SPG Mastercard.

thats an interesting way to look at it. I guess I don't read it that way but I guess thats a possibility

Starwood Lurker said that "Jason" may have been posting that way so that the hotel employees -- at check-in -- ONLY charge the bargain rate and don't dare to try charge a higher rate under any circumstances. In that case, remember to thank "Jason" since he may have just saved you from an awkward situation at check-in where a hotel employee arbitrarily decides to change the reservation/rate to the customer's detriment.

I know Jason -- he works in the BACK of the front office and was the one responsible (I think) for the price load error that allowed the $19 rate in the first place. It should've been a $109 rate (which is family plan rate), but a keystroke error generated all this hullabaloo.

I am sure what they are doing is simply standing by their rate error, but disallowing consumers from adjusting their reservations from one weekend to the next or extending their current bookings. Nothing to get worked up over -- if you owned a hotel and had folks who'd booked hundrends of nights at $19, you'd be fairly sure they didn't try to take further advantage of the situation.

Good luck to all. As has been stated here (and elsewhere) this is a C+ hotel (okay, maybe B-) cursed with bad architectural design from the 1970s.

Jason's been busy with my reservation, too. :)

A couple of pertinent questions given his rules (which, of course, we didn't agree to). First, what if you want to arrive a day late or leave a day early? Is that a "change" that he says we can't make, or will they reasonably allow such a change (it's presumably in their interest, of course, to have people stay as short a time as possible).

Second, I recall my original rate description said "kids eat free." I don't see that language in my reservation any more. As I'm travelling with my family, it could be useful (heck, it's saved me bucks at Holiday Inn!). Any thoughts on how to get the hotel to honor the original offer?

Jason's been busy with my reservation, too. :)

A couple of pertinent questions given his rules (which, of course, we didn't agree to). First, what if you want to arrive a day late or leave a day early? Is that a "change" that he says we can't make, or will they reasonably allow such a change (it's presumably in their interest, of course, to have people stay as short a time as possible).

Second, I recall my original rate description said "kids eat free." I don't see that language in my reservation any more. As I'm travelling with my family, it could be useful (heck, it's saved me bucks at Holiday Inn!). Any thoughts on how to get the hotel to honor the original offer?

Rate Plan Description Best Available Rate

4Pm Checkout If Available. 12 & Under Eat Free From The Kids)Menu. One Meal Per Child Per Adult Meal From Standard Menu.


I had to dig around the reservation to actually find this. It wasn't right there on the front page of the reservation. I am just happy that they are honoring this deal.

Rex

I have a total of 19 stays booked at this hotel--12 at the 19.00 rate and 7 at Priceline rates--I have stayed here at least 15 times over the last few years. Why would anyone care about the architecture? I've always had good service and clean rooms along with free parking and shuttle service. I have no complaints with this property and am looking forward to all my stays. I'm quite fortunate to have a *wood credit card which will earn me several thousand points with my use from June to September. Kudos to this property for honoring the rates---and as always a big thank you to William for his help on this site. Best of luck to all. ^ :D

Flying to Portland will have another option, and hopefully come with cheaper fares more often.

JetBlue will start flying from NYC to there:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=529700

As posted in the SPG forum (but also incorrectly posted that the deal is dead): http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4766672#post4766672

Works for many nights next summer (large blocks of nights in both June and July at least). You need to click through to the list of available rates to see the $19 one.


thanks johnep1 for posting

My rate description for my stay at the Sheraton South Portland has changed again a little bit...
Rate Description;
Absolutely No Changes Allowed!!!!!!
No Changes Allowed.No Name Changes, Date Changes, Nothing! No Exceptions. Guests May Only Cancel Res. Nothing Else! Not valid for points, miles or stay earned!!!

I just can't wait to see the face of the checkin clerk when I get there. All those comments in my reservation, that Sheraton will probably hate me forever! I almost feel guilty now. :o

My rate description for my stay at the Sheraton South Portland has changed again a little bit...
Rate Description;
Absolutely No Changes Allowed!!!!!!
No Changes Allowed.No Name Changes, Date Changes, Nothing! No Exceptions. Guests May Only Cancel Res. Nothing Else! Not valid for points, miles or stay earned!!!

I just can't wait to see to the face of the checkin clerk when I get there. All those comments in my reservation, that Sheraton will probably hate me forever! I almost feel guilty now. :o

Seems like they changed something. Previosly there was nothing precluding the earning of points, miles or stay credit toward status on these reservations. :(

What's the downside of SPG offerring SPG points on such stays? :confused: Even a week stay won't get the same number of points I earn on one night at an SPG hotel and a few cents for hotel points and/or stay credit won't do a whole lot to the marginal cost.

My rate description for my stay at the Sheraton South Portland has changed again a little bit...
Rate Description;
Absolutely No Changes Allowed!!!!!!
No Changes Allowed.No Name Changes, Date Changes, Nothing! No Exceptions. Guests May Only Cancel Res. Nothing Else! Not valid for points, miles or stay earned!!!

I just can't wait to see to the face of the checkin clerk when I get there. All those comments in my reservation, that Sheraton will probably hate me forever! I almost feel guilty now. :o

Interesting, mine don't say anything about points or stay credit.

"Absolutely No Changes Allowed!!!!!!
No Changes Allowed. Period, No Exceptions!!!! Per Jason"

My rate description for my stay at the Sheraton South Portland has changed again a little bit...
Rate Description;
Absolutely No Changes Allowed!!!!!!
No Changes Allowed.No Name Changes, Date Changes, Nothing! No Exceptions. Guests May Only Cancel Res. Nothing Else! Not valid for points, miles or stay earned!!!

Boy, they're really rolling out the red carpet for us. :D What's next, Jason withholding heat and hot water? :)

Seriously, I asked the question earlier what happens if you want to show up a night or two later -- or leave earlier -- than your current reservation. Logic would say that BENEFITS the hotel, since you'd be reducing the number of $19 nights. But it seems like they're trying to "flush" some reservations by being entirely inflexble -- perhaps thinking (if they're actually thinking at all, instead of just venting) that if it's now inconvenient for you to arrive on X-date, you'll cancel instead of inconveniencing yourself. For some this may indeed be true -- the nature of this promo encouraged you to book longer stays, with the logic being you could later strip away the extra days you didn't need.

Regardless, Jason and friends are hardly benefiting themselves with this pissy behavior. If you're going to honor the reservations, honor the reservations. Be gracious and treat the customers like all others. Unless that hotel regularly runs 100% occupancy, I don't think treating the flyertalkers decently will kill them.

While my reservations state absolutely no changes per Jason--I fully expect to receive stay and point credits--I have copies of original confirmations and there is nothing stated about not receiving stay/points credit.

My reservation now says, "Absolutely No Changes Allowed!!!!!!
No Changes Allowed. Period, No Exceptions!!!! Per Jason," which is something fairly new. I am curious to know what they would do if I ask to check-out a day early or some such. Will they say I can't even make that change?

I'm not a frequent guest at SPG properties, since I'm HH Gold. The points aren't a big deal to me, but what does matter is the attitude of the employees and how I'm treated. If it's not a pleasant experience, I won't go back to SPG properties. If it is a pleasant experience, I might move some of my stays.

At 3 points per dollar, you are not talking a heck of a lot of points anyway, if you are plat, the 500 point plat amen is nice but 57 points per night is not worth fighting for

as for checking out a day early, what are they going to do stop you, just leave, its $19 bucks a night

While my reservations state absolutely no changes per Jason--I fully expect to receive stay and point credits--I have copies of original confirmations and there is nothing stated about not receiving stay/points credit.

While my reservations state absolutely no changes per Jason--I fully expect to receive stay and point credits--I have copies of original confirmations and there is nothing stated about not receiving stay/points credit.

Does anyone think Starwood will go to bat for the customers on this? I'm skeptical.

If so, there also was nothing in the reservation that said you couldn't shorten your stay if desired. That's pretty much pure revisionist nonsense, too.

At 3 points per dollar, you are not talking a heck of a lot of points anyway, if you are plat, the 500 point plat amen is nice but 57 points per night is not worth fighting for

as for checking out a day early, what are they going to do stop you, just leave, its $19 bucks a night

The stay credit could be important to some, including more important the points. But without the one, is the other even possible?

I think many of you are getting too worked up over this for no real reason. Of course you'll get stay and night credits, no one on the hotel side of this discussion has indicated otherwise -- so why bring it up?

And, if you are truly considering shaving a day or two off of an existing reservation, my advice would be to call Jason at the property directly (that's where he works) and simply ask him to do so. I'd say with a 90% confidence level, he'd gladly do it. What they will NOT be willing to do (and none of us would realistically expect them to) would be to move a 5 night stay from one month to another or extend an existing reservation at the same rate for longer than currently booked.

Am I missing something here? All of this so far has been purely common sense with no issues. All of a sudden, the last several posts are a little inflammatory. Where's this coming from??

Does anyone think Starwood will go to bat for the customers on this? I'm skeptical.

If so, there also was nothing in the reservation that said you couldn't shorten your stay if desired. That's pretty much pure revisionist nonsense, too.

If checking-out early on other non-prepaid Starwood reservations, aren't early check-outs normally not an issue unless specifically mentioned in the rate details? Normally, it's been a non-issue for me to check-out a day early unless something in the rate/rate details at the time of booking noted what would happen in such circumstances.

Whew, my bookings' T&Cs haven't been changed. Just curious, those of you whose have, have you had contact with anyone from the hotel or SPG? Wondering if you were flagged then. I got the "Sorry, but..." email from Christine, but never responded.

I'm waiting for the Maine DO '06 to be posted/planned. If my dates don't match up, I'll add a night or two with another rez. But if the hotel gets nasty, I'll move down the road or into town.

BTW, who's going first? :D

I'm waiting for the Maine DO '06 to be posted/planned.


huh??? :confused: :confused: :confused:

Where's this coming from??Post #236 from NBSPGMEMBER reports his/her rez T&Cs have changed again- "Not valid for points, miles or stay earned!!!"

Maine DO links
2005 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=409289&highlight=maine)
2004 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195575&highlight=maine)
2003 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195006&highlight=maine)

Am I missing something here? All of this so far has been purely common sense with no issues. All of a sudden, the last several posts are a little inflammatory. Where's this coming from??

Um, have you READ what Jason is putting into the reservations:

"Absolutely No Changes Allowed!!!!!!
No Changes Allowed.No Name Changes, Date Changes, Nothing! No Exceptions. Guests May Only Cancel Res. Nothing Else! Not valid for points, miles or stay earned!!!"

I mean, it sounds pretty clear to me that the hotel is not planning on honoring "normal" terms & conditions here -- like awarding points and (probably) letting folks shave days off their reservations.

I don't think our concern over the hotel's statements are "inflamatory." I think there a measured response to the hotel's decision -- which hopefully can be reversed -- to treat the $19 guests without normal courtesies.