Ramonmv

Hi,

I have room upgrade certs, suite upgrade certs, and a 3rd night free cert.
What would be the best room to book, that would result in the best value when upgraded?
Should I start w/ a basic room, and just upgrade to a suite, or should I start higher?

Thank you.

nock

Ramonmv

Thanks.
I finally got a chance to call. They have a stupid policy. I would have to book the cheapest room, in order to upgrade to a suite. They only have the next cheapest room. So, even though I am willing to book a more expensive room, I can't use my suite upgrade. Suites are available, the room I was willing to pay for is available, but the cheapest rooms are not, so no stays for me. Makes no sense at all.
I asked what would I need to book to get a balcony suite, and she said I'd have to pay the difference, which is a couple hundred a night. But I can't even do that, because the cheapest rooms are all booked.
SMH

nock

Jasper2009

I have never heard of such a policy when it comes to applying upgrade certs (though that policy does exist when using free night and 3rd night free certs).

I suggest calling the general Fairmont reservations line and have them make a refundable booking and apply the suite upgrade.

If you don't succeed, try again with a different agent. Having handled literally many hundred bookings, I've yet to come across an agent mentioning such a policy.

nock

I stand corrected, I was thinking of free night/3rd night free certs.

Ramonmv

I am trying to use suite upgrades AND a 3rd night free cert. Is that possible?

Jasper2009

Yes, however a Fairmont room would need to be available in order to apply the 3rd night free cert.

Ramonmv

Thanks. That stinks.
They give out 3rd night free on suites all year, w/o a cert, and I'm paying for better than a Fairmont room, so it really doesn't make sense.

Jasper2009

Yes and no.

1) While the Fairmont SFO may regularly offer 3rd night free promotions, this is certainly not true for most Fairmonts
2) Any xth night free promotion is always based on the fully flexible "Daily Rate"

On the other hand, the 3rd night free cert can be combined with almost any discounted rate, so you're still getting a higher discount.

Ramonmv

Really? The 3rd night free can be combined with other promos? Interesting, but still no way I'd get as good a deal as paying 2 nights for a Fairmont Room or even the room I booked, and then getting a suite for 3 nights.
And that promo would have to include a Fairmont Room, correct? And now Fairmont SF is telling me there's a citywide convention that week, and they don't allow certificates to be used in such a case. Hmm. not listed on the blackout dates, and that's a weekend, plus a holiday on Monday. A convention those 3 days? Still plenty of higher-priced room and suites, last I looked.
I think they just don't want my business. Why is it all the better companies get bought by the mediocre ones? (Virgin/Alaska, SPG/Marriott, Fairmont/Accor)
The Sonoma location just isn't quite nice enough to use the certs on, and the Claremont in Berkeley gets mixed reviews, and is out of the way for me.

But thanks for the info.

Ramonmv

Hello again,

So, they are jerking me around fo rthe dates I wanted. If I choose different dates, where a Fairmont room is available, and I apply Suite Upgrade and 3rd Night Free, do I get an actual suite, or a Junior Suite?

nock

You'll get a main building suite, not jr.

Ramonmv

Cool. Thank you.
Should I book the rom, and then call, or call to make the reservation?
Do you know if the breakfast included deal can be booked when using certs?

nock