Charged for Safe???
Jun 29, 2015 | 9:57 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
I thought this was long gone (although Choice has become my LAST CHOICE for hotels). Was the fee disclosed during the booking process? Was there anything in the confirmation email? This is the Choice version of resort fees, a way to lowball their room rates yet grab more money.
You might get more traction if you'd post your experience on TripAdvisor. You might even catch the attention of the property management/owners.
Jun 29, 2015 | 10:25 pm
#18
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: Delta Diamond 1MM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 519
Never saw a thing about it. Didn't get my bill until checkout via email after the fact. I have no intention of paying it. If they don't refund me I will review them with 1 star on every site imaginable.
Absurd. Outrageous really, it's like they took a guest paying $650 and stole an extra $6 out of my pocket just because.
Soured my thoughts on the entire stay. I now hate the property. I can't imagine this is a good way to get repeat business.
Absurd. Outrageous really, it's like they took a guest paying $650 and stole an extra $6 out of my pocket just because.
Soured my thoughts on the entire stay. I now hate the property. I can't imagine this is a good way to get repeat business.
Jun 29, 2015 | 10:27 pm
#19
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: Delta Diamond 1MM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 519
This is the perfect kind of thing for some sheister to use for a class action. Maybe I should do it myself. Pocket millions in legal fees and make them stop charging the fee and send all of the victims a silly coupon.
Jul 4, 2015 | 9:20 am
#21
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: Delta Diamond 1MM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 519
They did take off the charge, and I wrote a cranky review on TripAdvisor, and after that, they emailed me again to give me a nice discount off my entire stay. I was pretty happy getting the windfall and I (voluntarily) deleted the negative review. So, the local property was very nice about it, but I still find this chainwide practice to be ludicrous.
Jul 4, 2015 | 10:15 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
They did take off the charge, and I wrote a cranky review on TripAdvisor, and after that, they emailed me again to give me a nice discount off my entire stay. I was pretty happy getting the windfall and I (voluntarily) deleted the negative review. So, the local property was very nice about it, but I still find this chainwide practice to be ludicrous.
Jul 4, 2015 | 10:17 am
#23
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: Delta Diamond 1MM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 519
I agree, I would have preferred to revise the review instead. Unfortunately TripAdvisor only let's you delete, there is no edit function. And they also don't let you leave another new review immediately after deleting. Kind of a clunky site.
Jul 5, 2015 | 3:03 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
Did you challenge it at check-out? Do they know they lost another customer due to the fee? You gotta do more than just complain on FT. Go to TripAdvisor and post a review.
Jul 6, 2015 | 1:20 pm
#26
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: UA Plat, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 677
Let me ask the obvious question here. Is there a way for the hotel to even know that you have used the safe? Every room safe I have ever seen is definitely not connected to a network (unless it is wireless).
In fact, a high percentage of these safes are not even bolted down to anything and you could just pick them up and walk away (this is one of my pet peeves).
Just leave the hotel and challenge the charge with your cc company. A charge back will increase the cost to the hotel.
To bad you can't charge Choice's top executives with fraud like they do to their customers.
In fact, a high percentage of these safes are not even bolted down to anything and you could just pick them up and walk away (this is one of my pet peeves).
Just leave the hotel and challenge the charge with your cc company. A charge back will increase the cost to the hotel.
To bad you can't charge Choice's top executives with fraud like they do to their customers.
Jul 6, 2015 | 1:47 pm
#27
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 226
Comfort Inn has been charging for in room safe for ages. First time I noted this was maybe 8-10 years back in Virginia Beach and disputed the charge. I think they claim they have you initial the charge upon check in. Looks like things have not changed since.
Oct 30, 2019 | 10:41 am
#29
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Choice Hotels
Posts: 819
I see this secretive safecharge added to a bill occasionally. But, it's not just at Choice Hotels. I have gotten in the habit of either inquiring about it at check-in, and or looking closely at the bill before I leave. Generally, I state that I did not use the safe and I was not aware there was going to be a charge. I have not had any problem getting it removed from my bill.