PremEx

Posts: 4539
From: Southern California, U.S.A.
Registered:
posted 09-05-2001 11:28 PM
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DOC 2 BE writes:
quote:
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Apparently Hilton has decided to treat these "prices" as true room rates and therefore, if I ever happen to see such a rate at a Hilton family hotel I will now book it because of their business practice.
Arguments about the presence or a lack of consideration are now beyond the point, as Hilton has manifestly "advertised" that these rates are valid. As such, they are now bound by that business practice and better had hope that their filter really works. I, for one, now have no compunction about booking such a rate and expecting Hilton to honor it.


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I see absoulutly nothing in Hilton's statements that indicate that these are valid rates or that they should, in the future, be considered such. The fact that they are only honoring the first night free is clear proof of that.

Rather, I see them as honoring the first night as free and subsequent nights at 50% off as merely a gesture of goodwill and admission that the mistake was theirs, and that mistake may have inconvienced some of it's customers.

That, and probably wanting to avoid bad press.

IMHO, this does not set any sort of "binding" legal precedence or some sort of legal (or conscience) waiver to jump on these sort of things in the future and expect fulfillment.

Frankly, at this point I'm a bit amazed anyone would even remotely think these were any sort of valid rates. Hilton clearly admitted it was a mistake! If they considered these valid rates, then Mr. 300 would be getting all 300 nights free.

And everyone else too.


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PREMEX --

Unfortunately, you are very much mistaken. Call it whatever you like, a valid rate or a gesture of good will, even though Hilton has declared this incident to be a mistake, their REMEDY to this error of theirs will be binding on them should another such error arise. One may argue that the handling of this solitary incident does not make a business practice; that is debateable. In any event, many might recall that Hilton handled the first of these snafus in Mexico City in a similar manner -- the first night would be free and the next nights would be at 1/2 off.

Two examples of remedying the problem do make a practice, especially since they were resolved in exactly the same manner.

You may contend that the $0 rate is not a valid rate, but Hilton's actions speak otherwise. They have chosen (foolishly IMHO) to honor this rate for even a day, and then give you a 50% discount for the rest. They are now obligated to follow this pattern should this problem arise again. The only question that remains is whether one will get HHonors points for the 50% off rate. One would say no as the Entertainment discount which is similar does no do so, but who knows?

In summation, contrary to PremEx's view, inasmuch as Hilton has now twice decided to reward those who book a $0 rate with a 1 ngiht free stay and a 505 discount for the rest, I would now feel comfortable booking these types of rates as their view is that it is entirely legitimate to do so, as is evidenced by their prior response to same.

[This message has been edited by DOC 2 BE (edited 09-06-2001).]

[This message has been edited by DOC 2 BE (edited 09-06-2001).]