I agree with both TravelManKen and MatthewClement.

Further, I have seen airlines sell $29 fares to places far and wide. These were not mistakes. They were promotions. So there could be an expectation of this kind of price being real.

I've never seen any hotel or airline sell anything for zero. Buy one, get one free...yes. But just have rooms listed at zero...no.

I think it all boils down to intent and reasonable expectation. In this case, IMHO, there is no question of what's right and wrong. But that's just me.

Hilton did more than enough. In fact, I feel a bit sorry for them. I think that if they weren't overly concerned about bad press (which happened to United), they would have just said no. In that sense, I think they are the victims of a form of extortion.

But hey, it was their error and they are big boys and can handle it. So I'm not crying tears for them.

TravelManKen, I believe the legal term (at least here in the U.S.) to be "consideration." In order for most contracts to be binding, there has to be consideration. An exchange of tangible value between both parties.

Tango, what you are talking about is a "promise to pay" which is a different part of contracts. Many contracts are entered into without funds exchanging until some future date.


[This message has been edited by PremEx (edited 08-31-2001).]