"No Locals" policy
#31
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Tampere
Programs: BA EC Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,233
I understand that most hotels in America require photo ID in order to check in and I surmise that most people fulfill that requirement with a driving licence. But what if you gave them, for example, your passport? And if they asked for an address, you could say 123 Anywhere St., Poughkeepsie.
#32
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,131
I've seen the paper signature thing when there is a wedding or other event going on, but it seemed to be targeted only to those who book under that rate or to non-elites.
What happens if a storm passes through and wide swaths of residents lose power? A local hotel with power is the first place you go for nights where you have no HVAC. In fact, when we had two derecho-type storms roll through in six hours (I lost power, got it back, only to lose it again in the second storm), all the local hotels that had power sold out because people were going there. I ended up about 30 minutes away from home, getting one of the last rooms at a RI.
What happens if a storm passes through and wide swaths of residents lose power? A local hotel with power is the first place you go for nights where you have no HVAC. In fact, when we had two derecho-type storms roll through in six hours (I lost power, got it back, only to lose it again in the second storm), all the local hotels that had power sold out because people were going there. I ended up about 30 minutes away from home, getting one of the last rooms at a RI.
#33
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Global Entry
Posts: 2,825
While it may seem odd on paper, and past all of the "what if their home exploded" scenarios, I've come to realize there are often two sides to these types of policies. It is likely to be from patterns of unruly behavior, but could also be from a new manager implementing a "best practice" just because. Either way, a lot of the same people who complain about this policy, would also be the first to complain if there was unruly behavior surrounding them. Imagine you ran a hotel that was a hotspot for drugs and/or prostitution. How do you stop it? Put up a sign that says don't do these things? If anything, you've hurt your brand even more as you advertised the problem while not stopping anything. The internet makes it very easy to paint the guest as a victim no matter what the scenario is while the business is placed in often difficult positions.
#34
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,866
Good for the properties that are doing this...makes smart business sense. And re the comment above during a disaster...many restrictions are invariably removed or relaxed at the request of local agencies. Not a factor...but even if the bad behavior policy was still in place, so what?
#35
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: California
Posts: 241
I understand that most hotels in America require photo ID in order to check in and I surmise that most people fulfill that requirement with a driving licence. But what if you gave them, for example, your passport? And if they asked for an address, you could say 123 Anywhere St., Poughkeepsie.
Edit: one look at my countenance would make it self-evident that my "partying" days are long past.
Last edited by volabam; Oct 6, 2021 at 6:51 pm Reason: Clarification
#36
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Passport card/passport, and a person may be in. The hotel could use the loyalty program member's address on file with the loyalty program account, but that's not necessarily a show-stopper. Also, some of the properties with this kind of policy may make exceptions for those who can document that the stay at the place is being sought as part of an insurance-covered incident or a relocation.
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
Yes, I did. The clerk went into the back to consult the owner/manager. I was informed on her return that they would waive it on that stay only. I had used my address-less Global Entry card at first, but she noticed my address in the Hilton system which set off the episode.
#38
Join Date: Sep 2021
Posts: 288
Has anyone been challenged/refused for this?
I had a problem with a stay at the Sea-Tac Hampton last year; the manageress called me after I contacted HHonors, mentioning in passing "You're lucky you got to stay, I have a No Locals policy (presumed to be using rooms for drugs, etc.)." I believe I have seen reference to that elsewhere since, but have never been challenged during a mattress run myself.
I had a problem with a stay at the Sea-Tac Hampton last year; the manageress called me after I contacted HHonors, mentioning in passing "You're lucky you got to stay, I have a No Locals policy (presumed to be using rooms for drugs, etc.)." I believe I have seen reference to that elsewhere since, but have never been challenged during a mattress run myself.
I stay at my local Hilton brand hotels regularly!
#40
Join Date: Sep 2021
Posts: 288
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,907
This no locals policy is pure BS. What about people with legitimate reasons to stay, like getting your house tented for bug eradication. Some kind of incident happened and you can't stay in your home. Lots of legitimate reasons a local would stay in a hotel.
#42
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,482
Especially in light of where we are now… say, someone in a household tests positive for COVID and either they or the other family members need to go self isolate somewhere.
#43
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Scotland, Spain
Programs: Skywards Gold, Amex Plat, SkyTeam Silver
Posts: 1,162
Are the hotels being tested on these reasons though? I can't imagine calling a front desk and explaining the situation (house extermination for example) that they wouldn't waive this with appropirate ID?
#44
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Delta Platinum
Posts: 1,732
Which Doubletree? I find that odd. Live in Tampa (of course more than 50 miles from there), but stay in MCO quite often. When making reservations, frequently see specials for locals only in both orlando and tampa areas. My wife and I frequently get a room at the beach, downtown Tampa, etc just to get away for the night. Never had any issues like what's been mentioned here. Have had a couple times upon check in (Key West and Marathon Key for example) been presented with a 'no parties" type rules page that clearly outlines hotel policies, but never had to sign it. More just an FYI thing.
#45
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,866