Originally Posted by
yeunganson
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.
Thanks for the feedback
I do want to say that I am not outraged but none the less disappointed by Starwood Hotel business behavior.Its a quick grab up front but in the end rather then using the services repeatedly where ever I travel I will seek to eliminate all phone spending in the hotels just as cell phones greatly reduced most of the cash cow hotels took for granted for years.It now seems likely I will buy a second phone just for the ease of a single fixed cost eliminating what I perceive as an excessive fee structure
I typically overlook such charges if the hotel has taken great care of me such as the case of the property I am in at present.Though the principal is perhaps wrong on my part.In fact the Service Express agent originally quoted me a lower rate for mobile calling.When I saw the bill I searched the room and found the rate card in a desk drawer (at least they had the printed info)
Years ago I was at the former Southgate Sheraton Luxury Collection and spoke for about 100 us dollars for 15 minutes also to a local mobile number
I have had past experience to know to be careful when dialing from any hotel
The transparency of rate info is still weak in my pereception when the info isn't next to the phone and a traveler is jet lagged and trying to make a quick informed decision
Whats more amazing is how the in house team members can't find the information when you call or makes it up or are as confused as the guests
