Originally Posted by
goldengate
Hi all - just discovered this forum on FT and was hoping someone might be able to help me. We go to the FS Santa Barbara every year for Thanksgiving and every year we book the "stay 2 nights, 1 free" deal. However, this year they have blacked it out (so far) for that week. Hotel reservations confirmed it is not available.
Has anyone had experience in FS "opening up" this offer as the date approaches? Any other ways besides getting a Platinum card (read that when I searched this forum) not to pay rack rate at this property?
No personal experience, but I can tell you that the FS Hualalai's offers aren't as good as they've been the last couple of years, either. While these are different hotels, I think it's an indication that the management of these hotels feels that the economy is sufficiently better this year that they will be able to fill the rooms without the promos. I note that these two hotels probably have significant overlap in potential clientele.
Certainly, if the bookings don't come in, they may consider sweetening the pot at a later time. But I doubt even hotel management knows what will transpire in the coming months.