Any way to drop one night without increasing the price of the whole stay?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
Any way to drop one night without increasing the price of the whole stay?
I booked a 5 night stay a while ago for a great price at a Hampton Inn. I now want to change it to a 4-night stay, and yikes it's almost doubling the price for the 4 nights!
I've called Hhonors and they say nothing they can do.
Would the hotel be able to just drop one night without a change in price for the rest? What if we just said we were staying 4 nights when we checked in?
I've called Hhonors and they say nothing they can do.
Would the hotel be able to just drop one night without a change in price for the rest? What if we just said we were staying 4 nights when we checked in?
#2
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
Hotel rates are variable and based on many factors, including arrival and departure date. Based on the limited information, it sounds like the hotel offered you a discounted rate on 1 or more nights of your stay because your stay included a quiet "shoulder" night.
Your reservation almost certainly had this clause in it: "Rates quoted are based on check-in date and length of stay. Should you choose to depart early, price is subject to change."
This type of pricing happens in many places. If you local auto shop had a "Buy 4 Tires, Save 25%", would you expect to be able to buy 3 tires and still get the discount?
Your reservation almost certainly had this clause in it: "Rates quoted are based on check-in date and length of stay. Should you choose to depart early, price is subject to change."
This type of pricing happens in many places. If you local auto shop had a "Buy 4 Tires, Save 25%", would you expect to be able to buy 3 tires and still get the discount?
#3
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
I booked a 5 night stay a while ago for a great price at a Hampton Inn. I now want to change it to a 4-night stay, and yikes it's almost doubling the price for the 4 nights!
I've called Hhonors and they say nothing they can do.
Would the hotel be able to just drop one night without a change in price for the rest? What if we just said we were staying 4 nights when we checked in?
I've called Hhonors and they say nothing they can do.
Would the hotel be able to just drop one night without a change in price for the rest? What if we just said we were staying 4 nights when we checked in?
#4
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
Sure, this may be the reason but it is just as likely that
the rate per night has increased closer to the stay date since OP booked the stay "a while ago".
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,811
To the OP only the hotel will be able to offer you a lesser rate.
#7
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PHL
Programs: US CP/AA EXP, HHonors Diamond, Marriott PLT, National Exec Elite, Avis 1st
Posts: 490
I've had this happen several times. Each time I have contacted the property by phone and they were able to drop the unneeded night without increasing the rate.
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
No, it was fully cancellable. It's just that the rates have risen dramatically.
I can't believe they wouldn't be thrilled to be rid of a low rate night to re-sell at double the price.
But I'll let you all know what the hotel says after I e-mail them.
I can't believe they wouldn't be thrilled to be rid of a low rate night to re-sell at double the price.
But I'll let you all know what the hotel says after I e-mail them.
#12
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,023
I've successfully done this more than once when plans changed by faxing the hotel to the attention of the General Manager.
#13
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 160
Good tip - I recently did this for a points stay because the one night was not initially available, but opened up as a cancellation. However, I didn't bother contacting beforehand, and upon check-in she was able to connect my reservations so I didn't have to change rooms, but I had to reactivate my room key the next day between the reservation change. This might have been just for this particular Hilton - a slight inconvenience since it was busy with a conference.
#15
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: ATL
Programs: DL SkyMiles, MR, HH, ICH/PC, Avis Pref., Hertz Gold
Posts: 2,897
Don't fax, don't tell.