Upsidezdown

Saw something that seemed odd today on the IHG website while looking at rooms. The hotel I was interested in was mostly (90% to 95% or more) full for my dates. There were still rooms available but the usual "Advance Purchase" and "Best Flexible" options were gone and the only option left for each room type was a "package" (hope I'm using that term right... room + extra perks).

Is this typical? Why would they do that?

Retron

This isn't unsual - the hotel which I regularly use does a similar thing as availability dries up, as does the nearby alternative hotel (both Holiday Inns).

In the first case it goes to a non-refundable rate, whereas the backup hotel still allows a flexible booking.

I'm guessing it's just a way of generating extra revenue over and above what would otherwise be the case - as in if someone is desperate enough to need the room, we may as well get a breakfast sale out of it too, regardless of whether they actually want to order one!

(As it happens, this has happened to me - tomorrow I'm staying at the HI Reading West on a room-and-breakfast rate, as it was the only room left in the hotel. I won't be using the breakfast portion.)

Upsidezdown

That makes a lot of sense. Thanks!