RA charged for water?
Jan 4, 2013, 9:01 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: IHG Royal Ambassador, HHonors Gold
Posts: 52
RA charged for water?
Hey all, quick question. Was checking out yesterday morning, and my bill contained a charge for the water which is normally sitting out on a table/counter in the room (not the Amb/RA gift, the one with the 5-6$ price tag on it). I was surprised that I was being charged, and the clerk (graciously) removed the charge without any prompting from me whatsoever. I haven't been charged for that before, and I think I always drink it. Anyone else?
Jan 4, 2013, 9:32 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: England
Programs: IHG
Posts: 526
When I stayed in Hong Kong the hotel strategically placed expensive French mineral water next to the kettle, although I did not use it.
Since obtaining RA I have not been charged for mineral water, but there should always be a complimentary bottle by the bed.
In Thailand IC's don't provide free mineral water as standard. It's purified drinking water and much cheaper for the hotel.
Since obtaining RA I have not been charged for mineral water, but there should always be a complimentary bottle by the bed.
In Thailand IC's don't provide free mineral water as standard. It's purified drinking water and much cheaper for the hotel.
Jan 4, 2013, 1:15 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Everywhere
Programs: Who cares... status is a Red Herring.
Posts: 733
Exactly, PC sucks. On award stays they don't give jack at many/most nice properties (all in US). Benefits are too flaky for me.
Jan 4, 2013, 3:58 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: IHG Royal Ambassador, HHonors Gold
Posts: 52
It was a paid stay - and very well treated. Full RA benefits, inc minibar, as well as upgrade to suite AND club access. Overall a very nice stay - that's why the initial charge for the water stood out in such stark contrast to the rest of the experience.
Jan 4, 2013, 5:02 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Everywhere
Programs: Who cares... status is a Red Herring.
Posts: 733
IDK. Again PC sucks. When I checked out of the IC Fiji, I had ALL kinds of charges I didn't make. Minibar stuff I didn't use as well as a $1 donation to something I never heard of for each day of my visit. 8 nights and $8... how nice of me...
Jan 4, 2013, 7:27 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Astraveln
Programs: AA ex Plat, IC Plat , Hilton Diamond
Posts: 491
travelisfree.... are you an RA??(only because that does make a big difference on IC properties)
I agree PC isnt that good of a program, but RA in some locations is great. Asia, US is limited SFO great, in the IC tampa now...., not bad at all. better than hilton in the US, in some cities. I consider the IC program seperate from PC, as I dont usualy ever stay at a Holiday Inn.
Never been charged for water, but I've only had a few of the bottles labeled with price tags. Like the snacks, I just avoid...
I agree PC isnt that good of a program, but RA in some locations is great. Asia, US is limited SFO great, in the IC tampa now...., not bad at all. better than hilton in the US, in some cities. I consider the IC program seperate from PC, as I dont usualy ever stay at a Holiday Inn.
Never been charged for water, but I've only had a few of the bottles labeled with price tags. Like the snacks, I just avoid...
Jan 5, 2013, 12:04 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,421
Then water is free. Everything in room (drinks) are free. I've never had an issue.
Jan 5, 2013, 12:57 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP/LTG | UA P
Posts: 13,530
When I stayed in Hong Kong the hotel strategically placed expensive French mineral water next to the kettle, although I did not use it........................
In Thailand IC's don't provide free mineral water as standard. It's purified drinking water and much cheaper for the hotel.
In Thailand IC's don't provide free mineral water as standard. It's purified drinking water and much cheaper for the hotel.
Jan 5, 2013, 3:57 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
Programs: Most
Posts: 10,839
Didn't have any of the problems you mentioned during my stay at the IC Fiji.
Jan 6, 2013, 7:11 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: UA*G(1K), PC Diamond Amb, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,671
HTB.
Jan 6, 2013, 3:28 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: IHG Spire, BW Diamond Select, Wyndham Gold
Posts: 99
Does anyone remember the TV commercial where a guest is complaining to the clerk about being charged for a complimentary bottle of water? The clerk says "Complementary. It complements the room."
Jan 7, 2013, 12:51 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Everywhere
Programs: Who cares... status is a Red Herring.
Posts: 733
travelisfree.... are you an RA??(only because that does make a big difference on IC properties)
I agree PC isnt that good of a program, but RA in some locations is great. Asia, US is limited SFO great, in the IC tampa now...., not bad at all. better than hilton in the US, in some cities. I consider the IC program seperate from PC, as I dont usualy ever stay at a Holiday Inn.
Never been charged for water, but I've only had a few of the bottles labeled with price tags. Like the snacks, I just avoid...
I agree PC isnt that good of a program, but RA in some locations is great. Asia, US is limited SFO great, in the IC tampa now...., not bad at all. better than hilton in the US, in some cities. I consider the IC program seperate from PC, as I dont usualy ever stay at a Holiday Inn.
Never been charged for water, but I've only had a few of the bottles labeled with price tags. Like the snacks, I just avoid...
My complaint is that I can afford to chase a publicly undefined status and not get it. Second, it also seems that RA's complain about not getting benefits on award stays - which is dumb. You earn the points but are treated poorly for using them?
Anyways, that's my rant summarized and why I'm not an RA. But who know, if I ever do go for RA maybe I'll be a huge IC fan. But the other thing is, ICs are not in every city, sometimes I have to stay in a CP.
Jan 8, 2013, 7:00 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 774
The other complaint (from me at least) is that you earn the point in good rooms, but can only redeem for the rubbish ones. Imagine a week in a 'classic' inward-facing room at the Park Lane IC on an award stay. Lovely.
The only solution of course was to allow 'premium' rewards as per HH and perhaps others, but that would have created a direct cash-point link on redemptions and nobody wants that, me included.
Now that seems to be the direction they're moving in anyway, though...
The only solution of course was to allow 'premium' rewards as per HH and perhaps others, but that would have created a direct cash-point link on redemptions and nobody wants that, me included.
Now that seems to be the direction they're moving in anyway, though...