minimum night enforced at hotel?
May 2, 2021, 1:37 pm
#31
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: AA Plat Pro
Posts: 909
So you know there is a three night minimum, they just don't document it thoroughly, but it is enforced by not allowing a booking of less than three nights ...
(emphasis added)
You are absolutely gaming the system in my opinion, you appear to be trying to justify it by claiming they don't document the minimum stay eight ways to Sunday, but to me this is a text book example of someone gaming the system. Now sometimes I have 'gamed' loyalty programs too, you can find examples on this very forum of me doing it, so I'm not saying gaming the system is inherently bad. However, there is a line of ethical gaming and unethical (but not illegal) gaming and I think this is on the side of unethical.
(emphasis added)
You are absolutely gaming the system in my opinion, you appear to be trying to justify it by claiming they don't document the minimum stay eight ways to Sunday, but to me this is a text book example of someone gaming the system. Now sometimes I have 'gamed' loyalty programs too, you can find examples on this very forum of me doing it, so I'm not saying gaming the system is inherently bad. However, there is a line of ethical gaming and unethical (but not illegal) gaming and I think this is on the side of unethical.
May 2, 2021, 1:54 pm
#32
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR/PHL/BWI
Posts: 4,412
Used "Pay my way" workaround to book a 3-night stay with mixed payment (first night on points, the rest on cash), and then call customer service to change the booking to only keep the first night.
It's a destination hotel (The Lodge at Kukui’ula) which does not allow less than 3 night anywhere (hyatt or OTAs) even if you search with all cash rate. This is the different part from What Andaz Maui does (only limiting points booking)
Should I be prepared for check-in? It's likely that the front desk has never seen a one-night booking before.
Also, the booking has the following policy written, and remains unchanged after the customer service removed 2 nights.
It's a destination hotel (The Lodge at Kukui’ula) which does not allow less than 3 night anywhere (hyatt or OTAs) even if you search with all cash rate. This is the different part from What Andaz Maui does (only limiting points booking)
Should I be prepared for check-in? It's likely that the front desk has never seen a one-night booking before.
Also, the booking has the following policy written, and remains unchanged after the customer service removed 2 nights.
If you do not agree, then just do not book those properties. Hotel has reason to "walk" guests if the conditions are not met.
Once I had to cancel and rebook due to minor age limit.
Also, this property actually has a 5-night minimum stay. It is a condo property that has its own owner, not even Hyatt. The rash rate starts from $850. I recently booked a similar property and I follow their rules. I fully understand the reasons for condo property to have longer term during this peak time. So they can minimize the lost revenue. It has a 30-day advanced cancellation.
Last edited by RedSun; May 2, 2021 at 2:05 pm Reason: Addition
May 2, 2021, 2:12 pm
#33
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
So you know there is a three night minimum, they just don't document it thoroughly, but it is enforced by not allowing a booking of less than three nights ...
(emphasis added)
You are absolutely gaming the system in my opinion, you appear to be trying to justify it by claiming they don't document the minimum stay eight ways to Sunday, but to me this is a text book example of someone gaming the system. Now sometimes I have 'gamed' loyalty programs too, you can find examples on this very forum of me doing it, so I'm not saying gaming the system is inherently bad. However, there is a line of ethical gaming and unethical (but not illegal) gaming and I think this is on the side of unethical.
(emphasis added)
You are absolutely gaming the system in my opinion, you appear to be trying to justify it by claiming they don't document the minimum stay eight ways to Sunday, but to me this is a text book example of someone gaming the system. Now sometimes I have 'gamed' loyalty programs too, you can find examples on this very forum of me doing it, so I'm not saying gaming the system is inherently bad. However, there is a line of ethical gaming and unethical (but not illegal) gaming and I think this is on the side of unethical.
May 2, 2021, 4:54 pm
#34
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,130
One major overlooked point -- read #1 post closely
Originally mentioned by OP in initial post.
this original 3 night minimum booking was booked as a mixed ressie. First night as points remainder 2 nights as cash with full intentions of trimming reservation to one points night stay, probably getting a good return for points booking compared to cash rate. The second 2 nights were then cancelled, leaving a one night point stay. Imhotep this isnt to be put in the same category as Andaz Maui with minimum stays for award bookings. The OP could have booked a 3 night award and then trimmed stay to one night but probably didnt have the points readily available or didnt want to transfer them to hyatt. The OP knows that the hotel has 3 night minimum stay for everyone. I'm sure OP just got random CRO agent to reduce ressie and is looking for FT to justify OP actions. Fraud, that's a harsh claim. Deceitful intent most definitely esp given the type of lodging being offered. Some of these locations only offer WOH bookings for cash stays. Just something to think about
this original 3 night minimum booking was booked as a mixed ressie. First night as points remainder 2 nights as cash with full intentions of trimming reservation to one points night stay, probably getting a good return for points booking compared to cash rate. The second 2 nights were then cancelled, leaving a one night point stay. Imhotep this isnt to be put in the same category as Andaz Maui with minimum stays for award bookings. The OP could have booked a 3 night award and then trimmed stay to one night but probably didnt have the points readily available or didnt want to transfer them to hyatt. The OP knows that the hotel has 3 night minimum stay for everyone. I'm sure OP just got random CRO agent to reduce ressie and is looking for FT to justify OP actions. Fraud, that's a harsh claim. Deceitful intent most definitely esp given the type of lodging being offered. Some of these locations only offer WOH bookings for cash stays. Just something to think about
May 2, 2021, 7:33 pm
#35
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Programs: DL PM/MM, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia, National ECE, Hertz PC
Posts: 16,579
I don't see it as an "eight ways to Sunday" sort of demand. This is far from the only situation where a major hotel chain's website is either (1) "light" on details or (2) has buried relevant information in a hard-to-get location (though with the lawsuits going about, there is at least less hiding of resort fees now.
Jan 6, 2022, 4:37 pm
#36
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2020
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,010
Hi cm, how were you able to book 1 night stay with points? Were the cash nights refundable immediately? I don't want to be charged a deposit bc their rates are tricky at Andaz.
Originally mentioned by OP in initial post.
this original 3 night minimum booking was booked as a mixed ressie. First night as points remainder 2 nights as cash with full intentions of trimming reservation to one points night stay, probably getting a good return for points booking compared to cash rate. The second 2 nights were then cancelled, leaving a one night point stay. Imhotep this isnt to be put in the same category as Andaz Maui with minimum stays for award bookings. The OP could have booked a 3 night award and then trimmed stay to one night but probably didnt have the points readily available or didnt want to transfer them to hyatt. The OP knows that the hotel has 3 night minimum stay for everyone. I'm sure OP just got random CRO agent to reduce ressie and is looking for FT to justify OP actions. Fraud, that's a harsh claim. Deceitful intent most definitely esp given the type of lodging being offered. Some of these locations only offer WOH bookings for cash stays. Just something to think about
this original 3 night minimum booking was booked as a mixed ressie. First night as points remainder 2 nights as cash with full intentions of trimming reservation to one points night stay, probably getting a good return for points booking compared to cash rate. The second 2 nights were then cancelled, leaving a one night point stay. Imhotep this isnt to be put in the same category as Andaz Maui with minimum stays for award bookings. The OP could have booked a 3 night award and then trimmed stay to one night but probably didnt have the points readily available or didnt want to transfer them to hyatt. The OP knows that the hotel has 3 night minimum stay for everyone. I'm sure OP just got random CRO agent to reduce ressie and is looking for FT to justify OP actions. Fraud, that's a harsh claim. Deceitful intent most definitely esp given the type of lodging being offered. Some of these locations only offer WOH bookings for cash stays. Just something to think about