The problem is that the bean counters can measure the former but not the latter. This is why airline pricing is so screwed up and people hate to fly.
Businesses including airlines and especially luxury hotels should be trying to figure out not how they can get an extra nickel out of me when I stay there, but how they can get me to stay there more often.
What happened is that they asked for a quote for 5 days of work from Dec 1 to Dec 5, and then they called back later and said they only needed 4 days of work from Dec 1 to Dec 4.
Totally different than your analogy.
I was quoting and thus refferring to MikeFromTokyo, who stated the following:
Quote:
Once reserved, nightly rates should never be subject to increase if a guest amends a booking
I agree with the point that you are trying to make that it is quite strange that your daily rate would change while only trying to shorten your stay with 1 night, when there were no special requirements in place for your rate.
No charge up to either 24...hours prior to 6pm day of check in...Made the change 4 or 5 days out.
FS RC Chicago
people need to read what OP is saying...
this is insane. hopefully (and presumably if i dare say so) some kind of error on the part of non-mgmt person because the system (like by invitation) is brand new. look at how often there are problems with preferred partner, and it is NOT new.
even in my limited experience, ive dealt with tons of issues when dealing with non mgmt, and no issues im aware of when dealing with mgmt.
considering how many people here talk about booking with GM, i completely understand this position.
i do value some TA upgrades, so personally, ill talk to mgmt then book via TA if there are upgrades etc.
Is it possible that, unknowingly to the the OP, they had originally put him on a "buy 4 nights, get the 5th night free" rate? I have been getting Amex FHR flyers lately and a fair number of places are doing that.
I don't think this is likely, and I don't know this hotel, but it seems at least theoretically possible.
OP here again. One other thing. When I called in to change the reservation. The agent was very quick to offer a very rehearsed "one time per customer exemption" to the rate change. IMHO, this is a clear and deliberate policy change that management knows is going to make people unhappy and they have taken specific steps ("one time exemption") to cushion the blow and lessen the fury this is going to cause with their loyal customers.
Even though FS gave me the one time exemption and honored the original rate, I have written management. If I don't get a satisfactory response, I'm going to cancel the reservation, book elsewhere and send management a copy of the new reservation in order to make sure they know how unhappy I am with this change.
I don't mind paying a reasonable price for a high quality product, but I'll be damned if I have to play a silly guessing game trying to figure when and how to book in order to not to get ripped off. I'm sick and tired of doing it with the airlines, and while I love FS and always stay there on city trips, I don't love them enough that I'm going to put up with this cr&p.
Programs: UA 1K, QR/EK Au, AF Au, CX Ag, SPG Pt-75, IC Pt/RA, Hyatt Dia, Shang Jade, Marr Au, Hilt Ag
Posts: 3,229
Quote:
Originally Posted by 5khours
Sure the hotels are free to do that. The airlines get away with it because regulation limits competition and their customers are mostly hoi polloi. There is plenty of competition in hotels....even at the high end.
Another post that is ignorant of economics. Yeah, sure, the airline business is more capital-intensive than the hotel business, so there are fewer players in some markets, but to say that airlines don't face just as much price competition as hotels, or other businesses, is not accurate. And "regulation" does not much constrain (nowadays, thankfully) carriers' pricing.
So, your stance is that greedy capitalists can take advantage of the "hoi polloi," but not the elite such as yourself. This could be a great new FlyerTalk mantra!
So, your stance is that greedy capitalists can take advantage of the "hoi polloi," but not the elite such as yourself. This could be a great new FlyerTalk mantra!
Actually, the point is that someone booking at the FS is generally not motivated primarily by price. The "airline customers only base their decisions on schedule and price" argument is usually trotted out in response to ridiculous airline pricing policies, and obviously doesn't apply here. As others have pointed out, luxury hotels have to balance the impact on brand and loyalty versus the short-term incremental revenue opportunity.
again, OP was told if they dropped a night, their rate goes up, almost making up for dropped night.
cancelation/change/deposit did not apply.
there is nothing like this, and nothing supports this. i have to assume its a mistake, and that it is supposed to be when cancelation/change/deposit applies, or when it is a cancel/rebook, or when simply ADDING days, or something else like specific rate conditions like min stay. reported problems with new by invitation, and OLD preferred partner would support that idea.
discussion is fine, but lets not lose track of that.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jun 4, 12 at 6:58 am..
Programs: Virtuoso TA, Four Seasons Pref Partner, Rosewood Elite TA, Ritz Carlton STARS TA
Posts: 3,020
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kagehitokiri
i have to assume its a mistake.
Many hotel chains / ind hotels do this.... Its dynamic pricing at work. The computer looks at what is available today when it goes to make a change and pulls today's rate info. However, i've personally rarely gone up against a rehearsed "one time exception speech". Generally just needed some human intervention. This is probably a FS thing that will be reviewed and re-worked in the weeks ahead. Does not help OP that the hotel is sold out, perhaps even over-sold.
again, OP was told if they dropped a night, their rate goes up, almost making up for dropped night.
cancelation/change/deposit did not apply.
there is nothing like this, and nothing supports this. i have to assume its a mistake, and that it is supposed to be when cancelation/change/deposit applies, or when it is a cancel/rebook, or when simply ADDING days, or something else like specific rate conditions like min stay.
reported problems with new by invitation, and OLD preferred partner would support that idea.
discussion is fine, but lets not lose track of that.
Good points Kage.
I am interested in this- if it was a buy four get one night free thing OK- it doesn't seem like this is the case however- if it is a new switch to dynamic pricing on rack rates- this is a concern.
I can completely understand certain promotional rates being subject to availability and length of stay requirements- however if those two conditions are met it does not seem to be correct to penalize the customer for changes unless they are material to the rate rules.
Another good reason to use a good travel agent who can understand all this.
they were dropping, NOT adding
they did NOT cancel and rebook
all this side discussion is losing track of this
the REAL comparison is if canceling ONE of MULTIPLE airline tickets and being told you have to pay MORE for the one you are KEEPING (lets say full fare with no cancelation/change fee)
this does NOT happen
or, returning one of multiple to a store, and being told you owe more for the one you are keeping
so, could new dynamic pricing system lead to confusion by reservations agents when DROPPING nights? the agent was rebooking, even thought OP was NOT doing that? agent didnt have ability to drop night?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kagehitokiri
$140 x 4 = $560 vs $749 original 5th nt trying to be canceled
...
Quote:
Originally Posted by mecabq
I am surprised that the rate would change by virtue of reducing the stay by one day.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Euc-
I agree with the point that you are trying to make that it is quite strange that your daily rate would change while only trying to shorten your stay with 1 night, when there were no special requirements in place for your rate.
that, and not this >
Quote:
Originally Posted by Often1
minimum stays
When you violate the t&c of the conditions
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichardInSF
"buy 4 nights, get the 5th night free" rate?
separate >
Quote:
Originally Posted by ABG
make a change
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jun 4, 12 at 11:33 am..
Programs: Virtuoso TA, Four Seasons Pref Partner, Rosewood Elite TA, Ritz Carlton STARS TA
Posts: 3,020
You are splitting hairs.... In the hotel industry, adjusting your check in and check out nights is a modification, which is just another way to say a change.
youre saying a hotel would turn down revenue from EXTENDING a stay, because they insist on raising the rates for the EXISTING booking?
obviously hotel always wants to rebook higher, but they have to DO it. OP was a week out. they could have been a day out. (now im supposing OP was adding not dropping.) and hotel is going to tell them to take a hike? there is no way they can rebook unless there is already a waiting list.
i just cannot believe a sales manager or general manager is going to be relying on whatever this system nonsense is instead of simply talking to guest on case by case basis, because they ALREADY do that, potentially giving guests WAY more value than we are talking about here.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jun 4, 12 at 8:50 am..
Programs: Amex Cent, United Global Services, Four Seasons By Invitation Only
Posts: 16
Quote:
Originally Posted by ABG
You are splitting hairs.... In the hotel industry, adjusting your check in and check out nights is a modification, which is just another way to say a change.
ABG,
What about if you book a regular rate (no promos) for 4 nights and you tell them after night 3 that you have to check out--is that a modification that should warrant a price adjustment?
