Hotel Mistake Deals - Best Practices
Dec 18, 2016, 7:39 am
#196
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Marriott Platinum, SPG Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 394
So I booked the marina sands resort in Singapore for 4 days with a total of about 360 usd.
They recently emailed me saying it was a mistake and won't honor it but will offer a 100 credit food and beverage if I rebook at the normal rates (350 a day). Am I SOL? I honestly was had no idea it was a mistake. I just thought they had a sale or something since it was through their site.
They recently emailed me saying it was a mistake and won't honor it but will offer a 100 credit food and beverage if I rebook at the normal rates (350 a day). Am I SOL? I honestly was had no idea it was a mistake. I just thought they had a sale or something since it was through their site.
Dec 18, 2016, 3:41 pm
#197
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,083
+1
I'd been getting their email alerts for months, with nothing usuable, until one instance, when I booked one night in a local hotel for a 'staycation', not even realizing it might have been a mistake rate, as the rate looked more like a great promo than a downright mistake. However, quickly the rate was adjusted up. I've since unsubscribed.
I'd been getting their email alerts for months, with nothing usuable, until one instance, when I booked one night in a local hotel for a 'staycation', not even realizing it might have been a mistake rate, as the rate looked more like a great promo than a downright mistake. However, quickly the rate was adjusted up. I've since unsubscribed.
Dec 19, 2016, 10:33 pm
#198
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
So I booked the marina sands resort in Singapore for 4 days with a total of about 360 usd.
They recently emailed me saying it was a mistake and won't honor it but will offer a 100 credit food and beverage if I rebook at the normal rates (350 a day). Am I SOL? I honestly was had no idea it was a mistake. I just thought they had a sale or something since it was through their site.
They recently emailed me saying it was a mistake and won't honor it but will offer a 100 credit food and beverage if I rebook at the normal rates (350 a day). Am I SOL? I honestly was had no idea it was a mistake. I just thought they had a sale or something since it was through their site.
Dec 19, 2016, 10:45 pm
#199
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: EWR Ionosphere Club, LAX Clipper Club, Still Traveling Global, yearly BIS miles
Programs: EAL Silver Wings, I-Club, Flying Colonels DL, WorldPass PLat from the olde Meatball and PE SMARTbank
Posts: 1,988
I once booked a ticket through the "singapore tourist agency" you know the one in the airport that is "official" for the Gardens of the Bay. I insisted they confirm that everything was open and then bought my full admission.
Well same day, when I arrived. It was closed for repairs. The very nice supervisor told me she told the "official tourist agency" not to sell tickets that day for same day admissions because they were closed.
She called them told them to refund my money.
Of course next day they refused.
I contested it on my credit card. They replied that I signed for it and was therefore responsible.
US bank believed them despite the letters and emails from the boss at the Gardens of the Bay telling them to refund my money. I appealed, they wrote answers, and answers and answers. All lies.
Singapore, unbelievable, crooked, scams of neo-liberalism and privatized commissioned "agencies." All with the veneer of law, due process, and procedure.
I'd rather stay home then go there.
Good luck.
Well same day, when I arrived. It was closed for repairs. The very nice supervisor told me she told the "official tourist agency" not to sell tickets that day for same day admissions because they were closed.
She called them told them to refund my money.
Of course next day they refused.
I contested it on my credit card. They replied that I signed for it and was therefore responsible.
US bank believed them despite the letters and emails from the boss at the Gardens of the Bay telling them to refund my money. I appealed, they wrote answers, and answers and answers. All lies.
Singapore, unbelievable, crooked, scams of neo-liberalism and privatized commissioned "agencies." All with the veneer of law, due process, and procedure.
I'd rather stay home then go there.
Good luck.
Dec 26, 2016, 2:40 pm
#200
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,470
So I booked the marina sands resort in Singapore for 4 days with a total of about 360 usd.
They recently emailed me saying it was a mistake and won't honor it but will offer a 100 credit food and beverage if I rebook at the normal rates (350 a day). Am I SOL? I honestly was had no idea it was a mistake. I just thought they had a sale or something since it was through their site.
They recently emailed me saying it was a mistake and won't honor it but will offer a 100 credit food and beverage if I rebook at the normal rates (350 a day). Am I SOL? I honestly was had no idea it was a mistake. I just thought they had a sale or something since it was through their site.
I have a general question to ask about SPG hotels - when something like this happens and if the hotel refuses to honor the rate booked, what is Starwood's policy? If the hotel has not sent you an e-mail sufficiently in advance and refuse to honor the rate when you arrive at the Front Desk, what is the best way to handle it assuming it is too late in the evening to look for another hotel?
Dec 28, 2016, 10:59 am
#201
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Marriott Platinum, SPG Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 394
Update on MARINA Sands
Other than a apology and the SG100 food and beverage credit if I rebook at the normal price..I did not receive any sort of new compensation.
Dec 29, 2016, 6:19 pm
#202
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,470
I think you should post it on their TripAdvisor page with a low rating...so that others are aware of their tactics. And a complaint to the Singapore Tourism Board cannot hurt also.
Dec 29, 2016, 8:02 pm
#203
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,320
Since most guests are not trying to get a mistake rate, their "tactics" of not honoring mistake rates isn't particularly relevant. The average traveler will not have much sympathy for you, since they're paying the full rate.
Jul 11, 2017, 10:42 am
#205
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Scandinavia
Programs: Eurobonus EBD, BW Diamond, Club Carlson Gold, IHG Plat Amb, HH Diamond
Posts: 352
So I have for the first time booked one of these, I stumbled across it at Hotels.com. Unfortunately it's a "pay at property rate" at a high-end brand so we will see how things work out.
At least I have made backup bookings with points that I can live at least it's adding some spice to the trip, I'll see if I get cancellations or counteroffers or what...
According to Hotels.com's fine print they have some "large print about it.."
PRICES
The price of the travel services will be as quoted on the website from time to time, except in cases of obvious error. Prices are liable to change at any time, but changes will not affect bookings already accepted. Despite Hotels.com’s best efforts, some of the travel services listed on the website may be incorrectly priced. HOTELS.COM EXPRESSLY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CORRECT ANY PRICING ERRORS ON OUR WEBSITE AND/OR ON PENDING RESERVATIONS MADE UNDER AN INCORRECT PRICE. IN SUCH EVENT, IF AVAILABLE, WE WILL OFFER YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP YOUR PENDING RESERVATION AT THE CORRECT PRICE OR WE WILL CANCEL YOUR RESERVATION WITHOUT PENALTY. Hotels.com is under no obligation to provide travel services to you at an incorrect (lower) price, even after you have been sent confirmation of your booking.
At least I have made backup bookings with points that I can live at least it's adding some spice to the trip, I'll see if I get cancellations or counteroffers or what...
According to Hotels.com's fine print they have some "large print about it.."
PRICES
The price of the travel services will be as quoted on the website from time to time, except in cases of obvious error. Prices are liable to change at any time, but changes will not affect bookings already accepted. Despite Hotels.com’s best efforts, some of the travel services listed on the website may be incorrectly priced. HOTELS.COM EXPRESSLY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CORRECT ANY PRICING ERRORS ON OUR WEBSITE AND/OR ON PENDING RESERVATIONS MADE UNDER AN INCORRECT PRICE. IN SUCH EVENT, IF AVAILABLE, WE WILL OFFER YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP YOUR PENDING RESERVATION AT THE CORRECT PRICE OR WE WILL CANCEL YOUR RESERVATION WITHOUT PENALTY. Hotels.com is under no obligation to provide travel services to you at an incorrect (lower) price, even after you have been sent confirmation of your booking.
Jul 11, 2017, 10:52 am
#206
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Florida
Programs: Hyatt Diamond. SPG Plat. Marriott Plat.
Posts: 522
So I have for the first time booked one of these, I stumbled across it at Hotels.com. Unfortunately it's a "pay at property rate" at a high-end brand so we will see how things work out.
At least I have made backup bookings with points that I can live at least it's adding some spice to the trip, I'll see if I get cancellations or counteroffers or what...
According to Hotels.com's fine print they have some "large print about it.."
PRICES
The price of the travel services will be as quoted on the website from time to time, except in cases of obvious error. Prices are liable to change at any time, but changes will not affect bookings already accepted. Despite Hotels.com’s best efforts, some of the travel services listed on the website may be incorrectly priced. HOTELS.COM EXPRESSLY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CORRECT ANY PRICING ERRORS ON OUR WEBSITE AND/OR ON PENDING RESERVATIONS MADE UNDER AN INCORRECT PRICE. IN SUCH EVENT, IF AVAILABLE, WE WILL OFFER YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP YOUR PENDING RESERVATION AT THE CORRECT PRICE OR WE WILL CANCEL YOUR RESERVATION WITHOUT PENALTY. Hotels.com is under no obligation to provide travel services to you at an incorrect (lower) price, even after you have been sent confirmation of your booking.
At least I have made backup bookings with points that I can live at least it's adding some spice to the trip, I'll see if I get cancellations or counteroffers or what...
According to Hotels.com's fine print they have some "large print about it.."
PRICES
The price of the travel services will be as quoted on the website from time to time, except in cases of obvious error. Prices are liable to change at any time, but changes will not affect bookings already accepted. Despite Hotels.com’s best efforts, some of the travel services listed on the website may be incorrectly priced. HOTELS.COM EXPRESSLY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CORRECT ANY PRICING ERRORS ON OUR WEBSITE AND/OR ON PENDING RESERVATIONS MADE UNDER AN INCORRECT PRICE. IN SUCH EVENT, IF AVAILABLE, WE WILL OFFER YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP YOUR PENDING RESERVATION AT THE CORRECT PRICE OR WE WILL CANCEL YOUR RESERVATION WITHOUT PENALTY. Hotels.com is under no obligation to provide travel services to you at an incorrect (lower) price, even after you have been sent confirmation of your booking.
Jul 11, 2017, 11:15 am
#207
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Scandinavia
Programs: Eurobonus EBD, BW Diamond, Club Carlson Gold, IHG Plat Amb, HH Diamond
Posts: 352
Jul 17, 2017, 12:15 pm
#208
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 1
Jul 18, 2017, 1:19 am
#209
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: many - mostly ZRH
Posts: 232
Aug 23, 2017, 1:53 pm
#210
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,943
Well. I have never stumbled across a mistake fare (as far as I know) until now. It's a pay at hotel situation in Bali. The going rate is about 6,000,000 IDR, but the room rate charged was 500. So like $.04 per night. I paid the deposit of first night's stay. My confirmation email is consistent with that. I'm assuming this is going to be a 100% no go, but dang if it works...