Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
Ask individual hotels whether you can be put onto a wait list for a room. Be sure to mention if you would be willing to take a room for only part of the conference and switch hotels if necessary.
Watch availability on the computer yourself, when logged into your account (in case the hotel releases a guaranteed availability room). Don't count on your travel agent to do this as diligently as you would like, and don't count on the hotel giving any last minute rooms to people on the waitlist (if they permit a waitlist).
IME, some conferences will help even after the deadline for hotel arrangements. Ask them nicely.
Thanks. I do not plan to use the conference- I want to get L'Accor benefits when I say, and L'Accor credit for my stay. That will not happen with a conference booked room.
I am not interested in switching hotels mid-conference.
Yes, I can look at the L'Accor web site. Yes, I can ask to be be put on the wait list.
But I still think the best way to get a room upon cancellation of a previous reservation is through the general manager- who ?may put give me that room by virtue of my Diamond L'Accor status (even if there is a wait list). I suspect that is what happened all those years ago, when the general manager was able to offer me a room at the last moment.