Theft of valuables by hotel employee from in-room safe, what now?
Jun 13, 2015, 10:56 pm
#31
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Some countries are more cash based, and it's just not an option to go to the ATM and draw out 4 figure sums.
The OP was quite lucky that they caught the thief. I would certainly expect some points or a free night if this is a property that you're a member of their guest program. A hotel should be responsible for their employees.
There must have been a substantial amount of money missing for the police to act on it. A big thanks should be given to the OP. They did the right thing, and got a great result. 99% of FT members would not have gone to the same lengths.
Jun 14, 2015, 1:11 am
#32
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I'd guess there could be confusion on terminology. I have never seen a safe deposit box in a room. Safe deposit box is where you have at least two keys to open it, one user key, one management key.
The safes (Often El Safe, or other fairly inexpensive electronic keypad safes), are a simple 4 to 8 digit user selected number. There is a management bypass code on all models I've seen.
What's even more amusing is when these aren't even bolted down to anything. I wouldn't feel secure putting more than a few hundred in there, even if bolted correctly.
The safes (Often El Safe, or other fairly inexpensive electronic keypad safes), are a simple 4 to 8 digit user selected number. There is a management bypass code on all models I've seen.
What's even more amusing is when these aren't even bolted down to anything. I wouldn't feel secure putting more than a few hundred in there, even if bolted correctly.
They seem pretty secure to me--but I am NOT a safe maven.
Jun 14, 2015, 2:06 am
#33
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,580
I was fortunate to win a rather large jackpot of money on my last trip to Colorado.
I ended up with a large check and a few thousand in cash. I am not a drug dealer or a stripper-so I was not used to traveling with so much money. The hotel where I was staying didn't have a safe in the room, so I put it in the safe deposit box behind the front desk. I was able to have my own key. But, I was nervous because there were signs everywhere that the hotel was only responsible for 200.00 if items were lost or damaged. I was nervousness until I was able to get the money into my bank account at home.
I ended up with a large check and a few thousand in cash. I am not a drug dealer or a stripper-so I was not used to traveling with so much money. The hotel where I was staying didn't have a safe in the room, so I put it in the safe deposit box behind the front desk. I was able to have my own key. But, I was nervous because there were signs everywhere that the hotel was only responsible for 200.00 if items were lost or damaged. I was nervousness until I was able to get the money into my bank account at home.
Jun 14, 2015, 3:43 am
#34
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Thank you all for your views and (valuable) reactions, I didn't expect to see so many replies.
I'm not going to disclose the name of hotel group except that it is a first-rate, 5-star group, In the worldwide TOP-5!
Given the above I was interested in terms of (international) liability of the hotel group. I never heard about the 'In Keepers Act" (thank you Jages!) and I wonder if there are International agreements on this subject.
For the record, I'm not searching for any money compensations, let it be clear but I did ask for a membership upgrade.
I'm aware that this is an isolated case and therefore I think it is improper to damage the hotel group's reputation by discrediting them through all kinds of social media channels.
I did use the in-room safe and yes, I am very grateful for this to end in the most favourable way for me.
Since I will be back in the area shortly I made an appointment with the officer in charge and asked to have an inside look in the investigation so that I can have a better understanding what has happened and how my safety deposit box was opened.
See above
There is really no need to discredit the hotel group for this isolated case.
More on this after I spoke with the inspector.
I fully agree, I asked for a membership upgrade, nothing more.
Thank you! It was touch and go really but since I had an hour to spare I accepted the invitation to speak to the police not realising I had to really RUSH to the airport 200 km further but not before changing my train ticket and so on...
I'm not going to disclose the name of hotel group except that it is a first-rate, 5-star group, In the worldwide TOP-5!
Given the above I was interested in terms of (international) liability of the hotel group. I never heard about the 'In Keepers Act" (thank you Jages!) and I wonder if there are International agreements on this subject.
For the record, I'm not searching for any money compensations, let it be clear but I did ask for a membership upgrade.
I'm aware that this is an isolated case and therefore I think it is improper to damage the hotel group's reputation by discrediting them through all kinds of social media channels.
I am glad that it ended well. Case solved.
Be grateful that the hotel and law enforcement were so cooperative. This episode may haunt you. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
I suggest traveling with as few valuables as possible. Use the in-room safe. The lesson learned is that everything worked in your favor and hopefully feel a sense of gratitude.
Be grateful that the hotel and law enforcement were so cooperative. This episode may haunt you. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
I suggest traveling with as few valuables as possible. Use the in-room safe. The lesson learned is that everything worked in your favor and hopefully feel a sense of gratitude.
I once checked into a (casino) hotel. The safety deposit box in the room was locked; I wanted to use the box. They sent up an agent who had a special electronic device which allowed him to open the box.
I'm wondering how the box in the OP`s room was compromised--did the "thief" have one of these devices?
[Another possibility: a hotel employee planted a video device to record the combination for the safe(???).]
I'm wondering how the box in the OP`s room was compromised--did the "thief" have one of these devices?
[Another possibility: a hotel employee planted a video device to record the combination for the safe(???).]
If I understand you correctly the hotel accepted responsibility and made full restitution. Authorities apprehended the thief and are presumably handling the matter in accordance with local law. In my opinion you're extremely fortunate and I'm not sure what else you are hoping for. Please elaborate?
Not sure what OP wants. The cops caught the thief, the property made good on the loss. What more can be done? If you can't get past what's in the past, see a counselor.
For the future, don't travel with valuables if you aren't willing to risk their loss. It's that simple.
Finally, as this is a forum to provide travel advice to others, why not identify the property? It's hardly a secret and others might as well know that the property's in-room boxes aren't secure.
For the future, don't travel with valuables if you aren't willing to risk their loss. It's that simple.
Finally, as this is a forum to provide travel advice to others, why not identify the property? It's hardly a secret and others might as well know that the property's in-room boxes aren't secure.
I would want to know HOW the safe was compromised. If there is some "easy to defeat" flaw with room safes in general, then NO room safe is safe
; it was NOT opened using a "crow bar"--he noted a monetary shortage after he opened it in the usual way [via his self selected combination.]
; it was NOT opened using a "crow bar"--he noted a monetary shortage after he opened it in the usual way [via his self selected combination.]Let me get this straight. We have thread after thread here where people are discussing compensation from a hotel for minor inconveniences, like "the front desk called my room at 3 a.m. and woke me up," "the maintenance department opened my door and said 'sorry' and closed the door," "the front desk girl gave me attitude," etc. Then discussions ensue about how many points and/or free nights this should be worth.
Now we have someone who was the victim of a serious crime, perpetrated by a hotel employee who violated the guest's privacy and who not only entered the guest's room but opened a locked safe containing the guest's most personal documents and valuables, and stole some of them, causing distress and great inconvenience to the guest, and all anyone here can say is "You're lucky you got your cash back, why would you ask for anything else?"
I think this is the sort of situation where the hotel should be proactive and not just have offered the money back with an apology, but also offered a free weekend or points or something like that.
Now we have someone who was the victim of a serious crime, perpetrated by a hotel employee who violated the guest's privacy and who not only entered the guest's room but opened a locked safe containing the guest's most personal documents and valuables, and stole some of them, causing distress and great inconvenience to the guest, and all anyone here can say is "You're lucky you got your cash back, why would you ask for anything else?"
I think this is the sort of situation where the hotel should be proactive and not just have offered the money back with an apology, but also offered a free weekend or points or something like that.
See a couselor? This is yet another of your ridiculous posts.
Some countries are more cash based, and it's just not an option to go to the ATM and draw out 4 figure sums.
The OP was quite lucky that they caught the thief. I would certainly expect some points or a free night if this is a property that you're a member of their guest program. A hotel should be responsible for their employees.
There must have been a substantial amount of money missing for the police to act on it. A big thanks should be given to the OP. They did the right thing, and got a great result. 99% of FT members would not have gone to the same lengths.
Some countries are more cash based, and it's just not an option to go to the ATM and draw out 4 figure sums.
The OP was quite lucky that they caught the thief. I would certainly expect some points or a free night if this is a property that you're a member of their guest program. A hotel should be responsible for their employees.
There must have been a substantial amount of money missing for the police to act on it. A big thanks should be given to the OP. They did the right thing, and got a great result. 99% of FT members would not have gone to the same lengths.
Last edited by DoubleUA; Jun 14, 2015 at 11:47 am
Jun 14, 2015, 4:29 am
#35
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What you could do in that case is take the cash to any bank and buy a cashier's check, or take it to the post office and buy a money order. They usually cost less than $1 per $1000. Write your name on it immediately, take a picture of it and send it to yourself, and deposit it in your bank account as soon as you get home.
Jun 14, 2015, 11:14 am
#36
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OP- you may find some peace of mind on your next trip if you use something like the Pascafe Travelsafe inside the hotel room safe. It won't deter someone from taking the whole pouch but it would deter someone very sneaky like the thief you had before. I understand why you are still upset. It is not just the money but someone unauthorized entering the room and violating your trust.
http://www.pacsafe.com/travelsafe-5l-portable-safe.html
http://www.pacsafe.com/travelsafe-5l-portable-safe.html
Jun 14, 2015, 1:15 pm
#37
Used to be 'Travelergcp'
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Large (casino) hotels have reasonable safeguards against this happening. Any opening of a locked safe by hotel employees require two people present. And all employees must enter/leave through a security checkpoint where their clear bags are searched.
It's the smaller hotels where things fall short.
It's the smaller hotels where things fall short.
Jun 14, 2015, 4:22 pm
#39
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,580
Then go to Walmart or a supermarket or pharmacy and buy a money order. They should be open every day. If you don't want to take that much cash into a store, do $1000 each at a few different stores.
Jun 14, 2015, 4:48 pm
#40
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Well, asking for a membership upgrade is a big deal. I don't think hotel companies normally give out elite benefits as compensation for service failures to a guest. I used to work in risk management for a company that owned hotels, we didn't resolve guest disputes by upgrading them in the elite membership club. Elite membership is earned (unless you sign up for a credit card, I guess). We didn't want people parlaying a one-off inconvenience into months or years of free food and booze, and then having them schmoozing with other elite guests in the lounge and telling them they didn't earn elite status, they got it by complaining about a bad incident, etc.
I'm just trying to tell you the hotel's mindset. They are more inclined to give out a one time resolution, like points or a free weekend/dinner at the hotel where the incident occurred, rather than give a perceived a "complainer" elite benefits that will have him returning again and again and perhaps acting like a big shot. The local property that let you down may not even have the power to upgrade your membership, which would entitle you to perks at other hotels.
Anyway, may I ask the following:
1. How many membership club tiers does the company have, and did you ask for an upgrade from the lowest (Tier 4?) up to the top (Tier 1?), or from Tier 3 up to Tier 2, or how many levels of upgrade did you request?
2. Did you say how long you wanted the membership upgrade to be guaranteed for -- a year, two years, for life?
3. How many nights did you stay at the hotel on this trip and did they reimburse you for your stay or reduce the charges for that stay? That would be a very reasonable request on your part.
4. What was the hotel's response to your request for a membership upgrade and have they offered you anything at all other than an apology and giving you back your money?
I'm just trying to tell you the hotel's mindset. They are more inclined to give out a one time resolution, like points or a free weekend/dinner at the hotel where the incident occurred, rather than give a perceived a "complainer" elite benefits that will have him returning again and again and perhaps acting like a big shot. The local property that let you down may not even have the power to upgrade your membership, which would entitle you to perks at other hotels.
Anyway, may I ask the following:
1. How many membership club tiers does the company have, and did you ask for an upgrade from the lowest (Tier 4?) up to the top (Tier 1?), or from Tier 3 up to Tier 2, or how many levels of upgrade did you request?
2. Did you say how long you wanted the membership upgrade to be guaranteed for -- a year, two years, for life?
3. How many nights did you stay at the hotel on this trip and did they reimburse you for your stay or reduce the charges for that stay? That would be a very reasonable request on your part.
4. What was the hotel's response to your request for a membership upgrade and have they offered you anything at all other than an apology and giving you back your money?
Jun 14, 2015, 8:13 pm
#41
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It's unlikely there are anything equivalent to the Warsaw Convention, which governs international air travel. By and large, "international law" refers to laws/conventions/treaties/agreements between countries and applies only to the conduct of governments and people acting on their behalf. Laws governing individuals are -- with very few exceptions -- enacted on a local or federal level only. So although I'm not a lawyer, I would be shocked if there are any international laws dealing with innkeeper liability...there's just no reason for such a law to be international in scope because an individual hotel is only located in one country (unless it was one built to straddle a border, which is highly unlikely). Therefore, the hotel would be governed by the laws of the city/state/country in which it is located.
Jun 14, 2015, 8:21 pm
#42
Join Date: Jan 2009
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Innkeeper liability laws in the US limit the amount that a hotel owes if a guest loses valuables or has them stolen. I don't know why the OP is asking about innkeeper liability laws -- the hotel reimbursed the OP for the full amount of the theft.
The OP has no other legal claim that I can think of, though I do think it would be appropriate for the hotel to reimburse the OP for his stay, or give some free nights, points, etc.
The OP has no other legal claim that I can think of, though I do think it would be appropriate for the hotel to reimburse the OP for his stay, or give some free nights, points, etc.
Jun 14, 2015, 9:20 pm
#43
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Center Strip (Las Vegas Blvd. and Flamingo) there are NO Walmarts, supermarkets, and the Walgreens(or CVS) in the vicinity (I'm certain(?)) don't sell money orders. You would have to take a taxi (or city bus) several miles to get to one of them.
Jun 14, 2015, 10:48 pm
#44
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I always put the lock back on my suitcase after I've unpacked, simply so I don't lose the lock; it doesn't mean I've got anything worthwhile inside. Suitcases with built-in locks make this even less obvious.
That said, I tend to use the hotel safe for my (not very valuable) valuables: laptop, tablet, rather inexpensive jewelry, cheap digital camera. I'm less concerned about theft than about someone looking through my jewelry bag, going through the pictures on my camera or messing with my laptop. For the same reason, I put as much stuff out of sight as possible so they can clean the room without moving my things. Some of it goes in the (locked) suitcase.
Jun 15, 2015, 12:51 am
#45
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Belgium
Programs: M&M SEN
Posts: 29
Well, asking for a membership upgrade is a big deal. I don't think hotel companies normally give out elite benefits as compensation for service failures to a guest. I used to work in risk management for a company that owned hotels, we didn't resolve guest disputes by upgrading them in the elite membership club. Elite membership is earned (unless you sign up for a credit card, I guess). We didn't want people parlaying a one-off inconvenience into months or years of free food and booze, and then having them schmoozing with other elite guests in the lounge and telling them they didn't earn elite status, they got it by complaining about a bad incident, etc.
I'm just trying to tell you the hotel's mindset. They are more inclined to give out a one time resolution, like points or a free weekend/dinner at the hotel where the incident occurred, rather than give a perceived a "complainer" elite benefits that will have him returning again and again and perhaps acting like a big shot. The local property that let you down may not even have the power to upgrade your membership, which would entitle you to perks at other hotels.
Anyway, may I ask the following:
1. How many membership club tiers does the company have, and did you ask for an upgrade from the lowest (Tier 4?) up to the top (Tier 1?), or from Tier 3 up to Tier 2, or how many levels of upgrade did you request?
2. Did you say how long you wanted the membership upgrade to be guaranteed for -- a year, two years, for life?
3. How many nights did you stay at the hotel on this trip and did they reimburse you for your stay or reduce the charges for that stay? That would be a very reasonable request on your part.
4. What was the hotel's response to your request for a membership upgrade and have they offered you anything at all other than an apology and giving you back your money?
I'm just trying to tell you the hotel's mindset. They are more inclined to give out a one time resolution, like points or a free weekend/dinner at the hotel where the incident occurred, rather than give a perceived a "complainer" elite benefits that will have him returning again and again and perhaps acting like a big shot. The local property that let you down may not even have the power to upgrade your membership, which would entitle you to perks at other hotels.
Anyway, may I ask the following:
1. How many membership club tiers does the company have, and did you ask for an upgrade from the lowest (Tier 4?) up to the top (Tier 1?), or from Tier 3 up to Tier 2, or how many levels of upgrade did you request?
2. Did you say how long you wanted the membership upgrade to be guaranteed for -- a year, two years, for life?
3. How many nights did you stay at the hotel on this trip and did they reimburse you for your stay or reduce the charges for that stay? That would be a very reasonable request on your part.
4. What was the hotel's response to your request for a membership upgrade and have they offered you anything at all other than an apology and giving you back your money?
As for the hotel itself, I only stayed there for a few nights and I was not reimbursed for my stay.
As to the membership upgrade, they turned down my request but I'm beginning to understand why. It's like you said, the hotel itself does not have the power to upgrade my membership.
Yes, they offered me to stay for free, wine and dine me but since this was a one time visit "under normal circumstances", I turned down their offer.
Now I scheduled a meeting with the police officer to have a better understanding to what has happened. At first sight it looks to be an isolated case but when I think back remembering all the little details it may very well be a much more organised thing and I really would like to find out.
So against the odds I will go there again, booked a room through the normal on-line channel and insisted to pay for my stay. The hotel knows about my booking and I also scheduled a meeting with their GM.