Rate has decreased after booking prepaid rate...
Jan 11, 2016, 9:50 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Antwerpen - Belgium
Programs: HHonors Diamond, Melia Silver, NH silver, H10 Class
Posts: 660
Rate has decreased after booking prepaid rate...
Can I ask to adjust the room rate of a prepaid reservation after the prepaid room rate has dropped about 40%? The fully refundable room rate is now even lower than the prepaid room rate that I booked...
Jan 11, 2016, 9:56 am
#2
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
Of course you can ask, however, the property may say no. If they do, you could post the refusal on a site like TripAdvisor and maybe shame them into granting the change. A 40% drop is pretty massive and is worth the effort. Just keep in mind you did agree to the higher price and the terms thereof at the time of booking.
Jan 11, 2016, 10:09 am
#3
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Phuket Thailand
Programs: HH Diamond, BA Gold, IHG Gold, Oman Gold
Posts: 1,038
No refund
I had this as well, and was a bit annoyed
Called Diamond desk, they could do nothing. Called hotel, they could not do anything, it is just one of those things
Tried to claim on the website form, for Price Guarantee, as it was actually on Expedia cheaper as well, but they only give it do you if less than 24 hours.
It is a bit annoying, but seems little can be done, the hotel may be kinder to you!
Good luck ^
Called Diamond desk, they could do nothing. Called hotel, they could not do anything, it is just one of those things
Tried to claim on the website form, for Price Guarantee, as it was actually on Expedia cheaper as well, but they only give it do you if less than 24 hours.
It is a bit annoying, but seems little can be done, the hotel may be kinder to you!
Good luck ^
Jan 11, 2016, 10:09 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Antwerpen - Belgium
Programs: HHonors Diamond, Melia Silver, NH silver, H10 Class
Posts: 660
Of course you can ask, however, the property may say no. If they do, you could post the refusal on a site like TripAdvisor and maybe shame them into granting the change. A 40% drop is pretty massive and is worth the effort. Just keep in mind you did agree to the higher price and the terms thereof at the time of booking.
I have indeed agreed on the higher rate at the time of booking (and I still think it was already a good rate). Planning on adding another night to the stay which I can book at the -now- lower rate.
I guess sometimes you win...sometimes you lose... It made me think twice about booking prepaid rates though...
Jan 11, 2016, 10:29 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,856
I have sent an email to the BRG team asking if they can adjust the rate...
I have indeed agreed on the higher rate at the time of booking (and I still think it was already a good rate). Planning on adding another night to the stay which I can book at the -now- lower rate.
I guess sometimes you win...sometimes you lose... It made me think twice about booking prepaid rates though...
I have indeed agreed on the higher rate at the time of booking (and I still think it was already a good rate). Planning on adding another night to the stay which I can book at the -now- lower rate.
I guess sometimes you win...sometimes you lose... It made me think twice about booking prepaid rates though...
Jan 11, 2016, 10:45 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 921
The standard line is: If the rate went up 40% (or even 40 cents), you're not going to call to ask for the higher rate. It's a big difference, and we don't know if the prepaid rate was booked months ago for travel several months in advance, or if the trip was booked yesterday for this coming weekend.
There's always the chance the rate may fall. And considering the difference between a nonrefundable rate and a cancellable rate is generally just a few dollars, I never really found it worth the risk. On a flight, the difference is generally several hundred dollars, so there's more of a reason to consider the non-refundable rate.
If I was the hotel, I would respond on TA stating exactly what you said: The traveler agreed to the terms and conditions. They wouldn't want to risk getting a whole bunch of people writing in saying that their rate fell so they should get a refund or credit for the difference also. Or I wouldn't respond at all, to limit any possible flare-up.
There's always the chance the rate may fall. And considering the difference between a nonrefundable rate and a cancellable rate is generally just a few dollars, I never really found it worth the risk. On a flight, the difference is generally several hundred dollars, so there's more of a reason to consider the non-refundable rate.
If I was the hotel, I would respond on TA stating exactly what you said: The traveler agreed to the terms and conditions. They wouldn't want to risk getting a whole bunch of people writing in saying that their rate fell so they should get a refund or credit for the difference also. Or I wouldn't respond at all, to limit any possible flare-up.
Jan 11, 2016, 11:06 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: BOS
Programs: DL PM, HH DM, MR Gold, SPG Gold, Amtrak SP
Posts: 158
I had this happen to me a couple years ago and the diamond desk was able to cancel my non-refundable rate and I booked the new rate. They did say it was a one-time exception because of my status and it would be noted in my account. Not sure if it was just a good agent or if it's something they can do going forward.
Jan 11, 2016, 2:25 pm
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
Of course you can ask, however, the property may say no. If they do, you could post the refusal on a site like TripAdvisor and maybe shame them into granting the change. A 40% drop is pretty massive and is worth the effort. Just keep in mind you did agree to the higher price and the terms thereof at the time of booking.
I had this as well, and was a bit annoyed
Called Diamond desk, they could do nothing. Called hotel, they could not do anything, it is just one of those things
Tried to claim on the website form, for Price Guarantee, as it was actually on Expedia cheaper as well, but they only give it do you if less than 24 hours.
It is a bit annoying, but seems little can be done, the hotel may be kinder to you!
Good luck ^
Called Diamond desk, they could do nothing. Called hotel, they could not do anything, it is just one of those things
Tried to claim on the website form, for Price Guarantee, as it was actually on Expedia cheaper as well, but they only give it do you if less than 24 hours.
It is a bit annoying, but seems little can be done, the hotel may be kinder to you!
Good luck ^
Having said that, if the price increased 40% would you voluntarily call and ask to pay the increase? @:-) @:-) @:-)
Jan 11, 2016, 2:48 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 3,146
I have sent an email to the BRG team asking if they can adjust the rate...
I have indeed agreed on the higher rate at the time of booking (and I still think it was already a good rate). Planning on adding another night to the stay which I can book at the -now- lower rate.
I guess sometimes you win...sometimes you lose... It made me think twice about booking prepaid rates though...
I have indeed agreed on the higher rate at the time of booking (and I still think it was already a good rate). Planning on adding another night to the stay which I can book at the -now- lower rate.
I guess sometimes you win...sometimes you lose... It made me think twice about booking prepaid rates though...
You've got the right attitude, though: No need to avoid them entirely, but you're right to think twice before booking them. There's no harm in trying the BRG, but I agree with jerry that your best chance might be calling the hotel, especially if they know that you want to extend your stay.
Jan 11, 2016, 5:06 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,989
I had it happened once. The new rates was way cheaper then the much earlier pre-paid rates. However, (it was a Hampton), the rules states while the reservation cannot be cancelled, it can however be modified under certain conditions for a fee. The fee was still lesser than the savings I will gain so I made a reservation change. Look at your rate rules.
Jan 11, 2016, 8:51 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2011
Location: London and Hong Kong
Programs: Hilton Diamond.
Posts: 118
This has happened to me plenty of times. This is what i have done.
You clearly found the rate acceptable hence why you booked it, the rate has gone lower. Thats annoying. agreed.
My suggestion ( This is what i do)
Give hilton a call. Say, I was looking at booking a better room and noticed that the rates have dropped. I thought my room booking was flexible. Is it just possible to change my room booking instead of changing my rate).
Better room, plus a potential diamond upgrade...
You clearly found the rate acceptable hence why you booked it, the rate has gone lower. Thats annoying. agreed.
My suggestion ( This is what i do)
Give hilton a call. Say, I was looking at booking a better room and noticed that the rates have dropped. I thought my room booking was flexible. Is it just possible to change my room booking instead of changing my rate).
Better room, plus a potential diamond upgrade...
Jan 12, 2016, 2:28 am
#14
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 235
^^^
Jan 12, 2016, 4:06 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,989
This has happened to me plenty of times. This is what i have done.
You clearly found the rate acceptable hence why you booked it, the rate has gone lower. Thats annoying. agreed.
My suggestion ( This is what i do)
Give hilton a call. Say, I was looking at booking a better room and noticed that the rates have dropped. I thought my room booking was flexible. Is it just possible to change my room booking instead of changing my rate).
Better room, plus a potential diamond upgrade...
You clearly found the rate acceptable hence why you booked it, the rate has gone lower. Thats annoying. agreed.
My suggestion ( This is what i do)
Give hilton a call. Say, I was looking at booking a better room and noticed that the rates have dropped. I thought my room booking was flexible. Is it just possible to change my room booking instead of changing my rate).
Better room, plus a potential diamond upgrade...