Fairmont Black Friday Gift Card Sale Returns!
#197
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: Flying Blue, Accor Le Club, Hilton HHonors, Hertz Gold Plus, Avis Preferred
Posts: 439
Is it possible to use a gift card for a fully prepaid rate? Either at the time of booking or getting to reimbursed and using the gift card at the time of checkout?
#198
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: Accor ALL Diamond, AC Aeroplan E35K, Nexus/GE
Posts: 2,503
Not at time of booking, that I'm aware of, but the hotel will refund your deposit to you upon checkout in order to apply a gift card. I don't do a lot of prepaid rates, but I've never been told they wouldn't on any stay where I asked.
#199
Join Date: Dec 2022
Posts: 43
you may want to call in to check on this one. I’m only aware of deposit return and paying by gift card at checkout, not prepaid.
#200
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: Accor ALL Diamond, AC Aeroplan E35K, Nexus/GE
Posts: 2,503
What is the difference between a "deposit" and "prepaid"? Isn't a prepaid booking just a deposit that happens to be for 100% of the cost of the stay? If so, then you can still have that refunded. A good example is the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, who at least during ski season, even when paying the full Daily Rate, requires the booking to be paid in full a few weeks before arrival. They have always refunded that "deposit" or "prepayment" at checkout so I could pay by gift card.
#201
Join Date: Dec 2022
Posts: 43
What is the difference between a "deposit" and "prepaid"? Isn't a prepaid booking just a deposit that happens to be for 100% of the cost of the stay? If so, then you can still have that refunded. A good example is the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, who at least during ski season, even when paying the full Daily Rate, requires the booking to be paid in full a few weeks before arrival. They have always refunded that "deposit" or "prepayment" at checkout so I could pay by gift card.
#202


Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Globalist; Hilton Dia; Marriott Amb; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit; SLH Indulged
Posts: 4,622
I have only stayed in Fairmonts 2 nights in the last 6 months due to the gift card sale not taking place back in November. Hopefully it comes back in May although I am not holding my breath. Has someone heard rumors yet?
#203
Join Date: May 2012
Location: France
Programs: Accor Gold
Posts: 1,236
What is the difference between a "deposit" and "prepaid"? Isn't a prepaid booking just a deposit that happens to be for 100% of the cost of the stay? If so, then you can still have that refunded. A good example is the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, who at least during ski season, even when paying the full Daily Rate, requires the booking to be paid in full a few weeks before arrival. They have always refunded that "deposit" or "prepayment" at checkout so I could pay by gift card.
Prepaid is a full payment of the booking ahead of the stay, usually paid with a credit card, but some arrangements could be made if it's not possible to pay with the credit card (ie credit card declined or booking not made online but directly with the hotel).
#204


Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Globalist; Hilton Dia; Marriott Amb; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit; SLH Indulged
Posts: 4,622
Seems like it's dead again. The lack of Fairmont gift cards might be the #1 reason why my Accor status will possibly drop from Diamond to Platinum at the end of the year. I simply find less value than other chains now, mostly because of Fairmont brand which used to have some nuggets but with the lack of gift cards, no single hotel brand has increased in price more than Fairmont for me.