GUWonder

The Hyatt Regency DEL certainly has issues, and many of us are left wondering why can't they get their act together as much as we'd like. I guess this is another issue to add to the list.

idainc

Not the least of which is getting my points credited for the incidentals.

It would lead to far fewer dissatisfied customers if there was a bit more standardization amongst the international properties.

GUWonder

Am I supposed to get GP points for dining at the HR DEL even when not billing the meal to the room (e.g., not staying there but eating there)?

I know at Starwood, it's often possible to get Starwood points for eating at the hotel restaurant as long as the charge exceeds something like $10 or the equivalent thereof.

idainc

I believe you get points when things are charged to the room only as a registered guest.

amathur64

When was your friend in Delhi?

This scared me s**less as I do have a reward stay in a SUITE coming up! I just called the hotel and they said that in (approximately) the middle of February they had done away with charging the taxes. I spoke with Nisha at the front desk. Let's hope her comments are accurate!

GUWonder

The New Delhi tax has been payable on rack rates assigned to a room regardless of the rate booked. This additional tax was generally calculated based on the rack rate affiliated with the room provided. So with suites this has really hit people, including on upgrades.

Some hotels would -- when pushed -- only charge the tax on the rack rate of the room booked, but the default has been for the hotels to charge tax on the rack rate for upgraded room provided.

If anyone should know about changes, it should be the hotel staff, but get it in writing or get it double and triple checked with names and numbers taken down.

Perhaps the recent change is part of the push to help encourage more hotel construction in India or came through at the same time as an Indian service tax was placed on international flights -- for premium cabin travellers -- around the end of February. What's bizarre is that I had been hearing that Finance wanted to hike the taxes on hotels again at that time. It would be interesting if that got scuttled this time and the service tax ends up working out in the visitor's favor in this regard.

What did happen recently in relation to hotels is that the fringe benefit tax applicable for housing/hospitality was lowered substantially; but that mostly effects Indian employees whose lodging is covered by the Indian employer and this reduction from 20% to 5% should not affect tourists/visitors paying for their own stay.

idainc

Having seen how they operate in a bit of a loosey goosey fashion I would strongly suggest sending Nisha an email and get that statement in writing. It would be very unpleasant to try to reference a conversation that is not convenient for them to remember.

Better yet, perhaps an email to [email protected] ( general manager ) will help clarify your concern. Please let us know how you make out.

amathur64

I am emailing the GM now and will keep everyone apprised.


Thanks!

amathur64

I called a second time and was told by another front desk employee that taxes are indeed paid by the hotel now on free GP stays and that the change was made recently. Also, the manager on duty also confirmed the new policy immediately and sent the email in writing upon request. I hope this will help others!

Dear Mr.XXXX,

Greeting from Hyatt Regency Delhi !

As per the conversation with you, we are pleased to confirm you the following bookings for 2 rooms:

Mrs. XXXX from 15th April 06 to 23rd April 06
Mrs. XXXX from 19th April 06 to 22nd April 06

The rooms are on complimentary basis against the Gold passport points and the Luxury Tax against the room will be borne by the hotel.

In case of any further assistance please feel free to get in touch with us.

Thanks & Regards,

Nishant
Asst.Manager-Front Office
Hyatt Regency Delhi
New Delhi
Mobile:9871386848

idainc

Congratulations. Take your printed copy of that email with you.

I am still waiting after a month for them to decide I should get points on incidentals from my award stay.

amathur64

Are you waiting for Hyatt GPCS? Or the hotel?

idainc

I gave the hotel three weeks to post them and as of today GPCS has had it for a week.

GUWonder

I've had it take as long as 6-8 weeks from HR DEL and HR BOM ... and that was without prompting. But if it doesn't post by week 8, it's a no-go without GPCS getting involved or finding the right people at the hotels there.

amathur64

In addition,

I received the following correspondence (excerpt) on behalf of the GM...

************************************************** *********
.....The issue of luxury tax for rooms paid for by Gold Passport points has indeed been investigated at our end. We have received clarification that no tax is chargeable on such accommodation and the same has been implemented with immediate effect. However, this is the only exception. Any other complimentary stays extended due to business reasons, still attracts a 12.5% tax on the published rate, which is explained on arrival.

We look forward to your visit in April 2006......


Swarup Datta
Director of Rooms
Hyatt Regency Delhi,
New Delhi - 110066, India.
Telephone : +91-11-26791234
+91-11-55771437 (Direct)
Facsimile : +91-11-26791122
E-mail : [email protected]
Website: www.delhi.hyatt.com
************************************************** *********
If planning an award stay at this hotel, please note the names of the managers in the correspondences above. I hope this helps some FTer's...

idainc

"....The issue of luxury tax for rooms paid for by Gold Passport points has indeed been investigated at our end. We have received clarification that no tax is chargeable on such accommodation and the same has been implemented with immediate effect. However, this is the only exception. Any other complimentary stays extended due to business reasons, still attracts a 12.5% tax on the published rate, which is explained on arrival. "


This raises the possibility for the hotel to have to refund all prior luxury taxes paid, It would behoove any self respecting prior tax payor to approach them for a refund.

Makes me glad I so vehemently protested the charge.