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Old Dec 1, 2008 | 7:15 pm
  #4  
jksflyer
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: United Airlines, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 31
Originally Posted by CJKatl
WARNING

If I can keep one person from going through what I'm going through right now, this post will be worth it.

Apparently, some MI hotels are now doing a special "Platinum Check-In" where all they do is hand you the key and you can go to your room, saving you the 30 seconds it takes to scan your credit card. Even if you give them the card, they are not scanning it.

Recently, my company replaced our credit cards with ones that have the a new logo, number, and expiration date. I made a reservation at the RDU Crabtree FS with the old card, but handed them the new card upon checking in. Somehow, a third card number appeared on the invoice. (I now realize.)

Anyway, long story short ... I've called the hotel. I've called MI directly. I've had invoices from several other stays faxed to me. I've been treated rudely. I've hung up after holding for a supervisor for thirty minutes. I've spoken to the hotel manager directly. I've done everything possible except get charged for the room. Of course, my fear is this will get corrected in a month and won't get on this years' expenses.

Be sure your credit card gets swiped when you check into an MI property. If the clerk tells you it's not necessary, don't believe him/her. Something has gone very wrong here that could have been avoided if the credit card was swiped at check-in. The amount of time I've spent on this already is greater than the 30 minutes total I would have spent getting my card swiped at 60 check-ins this year!

If anyone from Marriott is reading this, I'm still waiting for this to be corrected. I've faxed the RDU Crabtree FS again, but getting billed for a room seems to be to complicated for them. (Why do so many issues pop up when I stay in this property?)
You want to make sure your card is swiped at all times when checking in to a hotel unless a debit card. As person that works at the front desk at a major hotel, we want to swipe cards to prevent credit card fraud and credit card disputes. If you are regular guest at a hotel the hotel may not need to swipe your card because they know you never dispute a bill and that your status earns you the right for a quicker check-in and we also have checked you in so many times we know your name and rewards number by heart...Why would we need your credit card!
My suggestion is to call the hotel and ask for the Director (executive member) in the Accounting Department. Also, contact Marriott Customer Care and they will issue an alert to the hotel. Most major brands customer care departments can do this for you. If your a rewards guest and high level... Make sure you fill out the survey and contact the Elite Desk!
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