FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Diamonds are not actually precious to Hilton
Old Sep 15, 2019 | 11:59 pm
  #18  
hbtr
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: OC, CA
Programs: AA EXP, 2MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 851
Originally Posted by Super Mario
Doesn't that only apply if you have previously paid in full for the room? If I'm wrong I want to know.

Hotels and other travel companies operate on a similar notion of counting on all that book, don't necessarily show up. It's built into the pricing. Often, you have lower rates for those who book very far in advance because it may be more likely those people don't show up. Sometimes there is a deposit or other fee you get stuck with for not showing up. I didn't know holding empty rooms in case someone shows up was a thing. It blows my mind that a customer with cash in hand would be turned away after midnight for a "person that might come."
Holding an empty room in case someone with a reservation shows up is the essential definition of “guaranteed reservation.” It is not at all unusual for people to show up to a hotel very, very late; I have arrived at 6am the next day. And given that most hotels now have a deadline for cancelling a reservation, you effectively are paying in full even if you don’t show up.
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