Originally Posted by
777 global mile hound
Starwood hotels that are charging 4.35 per minute for local mobile calls.
Oddly local calls seem very fair at 1 dollar for a flat rate
I had a single 4 or 5 minute local mobile call for a total of 18 dollars and decided that it was to excessive for my comfort level.I felt that one to two dollars would be what I was willing to pay.
Is this a fair charge for mobile calls? and what have others done to manage their budget more effectively when using mobile numbers here or elsewhere abroad.
When the local call from hotel is more expensive than calling from my Japanese roaming cell phone, then there is a problem. My Japanese roaming cell costs me about $1/min for local call. Hurts but tolerable when there is something urgent.
$4 a min for local cell from hotel is indeed unexpeted and quite outragous since nomal people will expect local numbers (land line or cell) to be charged the same. Depending on how "outraged" you are... When you check out, say that particular charge is too crazy and ask them to cut it in half. If they refuse, (and you still have a bitter taste as if you got cheated), go to ask the superisor.
For me, I remember getting charged $US 1 or $US2 for calls that didn't go through. Like the duration of the call is 1 or 2 seconds , because call didn't go through or the call went straight to someone voice mail. The hotel wanted to charge that $US 1 or $US 2 as if I made a successful call. I get the front desk remove it every time and no one ever said anything imporper.
The best one pulled was a long distance call to SPG Plat desk from Hong Kong/Japan to USA. The call was of course reserve some future stays and stuff. The hotel is also willing to waive the charge when I show him the number dialed is the same as the SPG line in US.