"Damage waiver fee"
#16
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Taipei
Posts: 1,104
Obviously this feels like (and arguably is) a ripoff by a hotel. But I'll say that as an short-term rental operator there are many hosting companies and 3rd party insurance providers that offer the same type of product and will typically require that to be paid by the guest. Even airbnb in a sense does this for all its bookings, part of its fee goes towards insurance for the stay (although it isn't as comprehensive as what the others offer)
#17
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: AA Plat Pro
Posts: 903
Front desk: You can't do that sir!
Me: Yes, I can! Send up the manager because I'm about to destroy the phone and won't be able to take calls. Thanks!
#18
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 9,981
Me: Hello, front desk. I paid $79 to cause up to $1500 in damage to my room. Could you send the manager to watch so that I don't exceed $1500? Oh, and a late checkout please....I need an extra hour!
Front desk: You can't do that sir!
Me: Yes, I can! Send up the manager because I'm about to destroy the phone and won't be able to take calls. Thanks!
Front desk: You can't do that sir!
Me: Yes, I can! Send up the manager because I'm about to destroy the phone and won't be able to take calls. Thanks!
#21
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Texas
Programs: Hyatt Glob (Barely); Marriott Plat Life; AA Up and Down Now Plat; Hilton, UA, BA, HA Peasant
Posts: 2,661
I'm not sure infrequent Hawaii visitors are understanding the situation well. IF you pull up Maui availability, you will get a few true hotels and a string of (mostly not that recent build) condominium complexes. It's not like Hyatt represents all or even most of the units in the complex. You will generally find Hyatt-bookable inventory limited as to room types and number of units. You may not even be checking in at an on-site Front Desk. Not to mention they are telling you the terms of rental; not asking you to pick an option.
The complex we frequent with some regularity has very few "Hyatt" rooms. Most rent through Vrbo or Airbnb; something else similar, or even direct from the unit owner. If you want to go the deposit route those may be available to you. (Our "regular" unit owner will go deposit IF and only, you rent direct, if you have rented from her before, and she is comfortable with you. Otherwise, she insists on the insurance route).
The insurance thing is becoming more of the norm since it keeps the owner out of court trying to get blood out of a turnip if the damages exceed the deposit. Or if there is a dispute what the amount should be. (We met a woman on the beach who owned a unit around the corner from where we were renting. She was on-island that month dealing with a trashed unit being repaired).
Generally I prefer a hotel arrangement over a pseudo-hotel condo hybrid. This is one of the reasons why. But I suppose it can also be your protection from a dishonest unit owner trying to creatively refinance updates..
The complex we frequent with some regularity has very few "Hyatt" rooms. Most rent through Vrbo or Airbnb; something else similar, or even direct from the unit owner. If you want to go the deposit route those may be available to you. (Our "regular" unit owner will go deposit IF and only, you rent direct, if you have rented from her before, and she is comfortable with you. Otherwise, she insists on the insurance route).
The insurance thing is becoming more of the norm since it keeps the owner out of court trying to get blood out of a turnip if the damages exceed the deposit. Or if there is a dispute what the amount should be. (We met a woman on the beach who owned a unit around the corner from where we were renting. She was on-island that month dealing with a trashed unit being repaired).
Generally I prefer a hotel arrangement over a pseudo-hotel condo hybrid. This is one of the reasons why. But I suppose it can also be your protection from a dishonest unit owner trying to creatively refinance updates..
Last edited by jayer; Jul 15, 2022 at 4:00 pm
#22
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
Programs: AA LT Plat (4m+), AF Plat, A3 Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat/Ambassador
Posts: 2,645
I'm not sure infrequent Hawaii visitors are understanding the situation well. IF you pull up Maui availability, you will get a few true hotels and a string of (mostly not that recent build) condominium complexes. It's not like Hyatt represents all or even most of the units in the complex. You will generally find Hyatt-bookable inventory limited as to room types and number of units. You may not even be checking in at an on-site Frond Desk. Not to mention they are telling you the terms of rental; not asking you to pick an option.
The complex we frequent with some regularity has very few "Hyatt" rooms. Most rent through Vrbo or Airbnb; something else similar, or even direct from the unit owner. If you want to go the deposit route those may be available to you. (Our "regular" unit owner will go deposit IF and only, you rent direct, if you have rented from her before, and she is comfortable with you. Otherwise, she insists on the insurance route).
The insurance thing is becoming more of the norm since it keeps the owner out of court trying to get blood out of a turnip if the damages exceed the deposit. Or if there is a dispute what the amount should be. (We met a woman on the beach who owned a unit around the corner from where we were renting. She was on-island that month dealing with a trashed unit being repaired).
Generally I prefer a hotel arrangement over a pseudo-hotel condo hybrid. PThis is one of the reasons why. But I suppose it can also be your protection from the renter from a dishonest unit owner trying to creatively refinance updates..
The complex we frequent with some regularity has very few "Hyatt" rooms. Most rent through Vrbo or Airbnb; something else similar, or even direct from the unit owner. If you want to go the deposit route those may be available to you. (Our "regular" unit owner will go deposit IF and only, you rent direct, if you have rented from her before, and she is comfortable with you. Otherwise, she insists on the insurance route).
The insurance thing is becoming more of the norm since it keeps the owner out of court trying to get blood out of a turnip if the damages exceed the deposit. Or if there is a dispute what the amount should be. (We met a woman on the beach who owned a unit around the corner from where we were renting. She was on-island that month dealing with a trashed unit being repaired).
Generally I prefer a hotel arrangement over a pseudo-hotel condo hybrid. PThis is one of the reasons why. But I suppose it can also be your protection from the renter from a dishonest unit owner trying to creatively refinance updates..
But quite frankly if Hyatt is selling it and earning revenue it should be the one carrying the insurance and dealing with the legalities- not offloading them onto the customer as a new revenue stream.
Thats the part I find obnoxious.
Fortunately this ever increasing long list of additional fees and charges is banned in a large part of the world.
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,904
I sent an email to consumer affairs - hopefully they'll look into that...
#24
formerly a193991
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Zulu Romeo Hotel
Programs: Hyatt LT Globalist; LX SEN (*A Gold), AA LTG
Posts: 4,528
Another article that OMAAT picks up from FT and posts as his own…unless OP is OMAAT, which I doubt
https://onemileatatime.com/news/hote...ge-waiver-fee/
https://onemileatatime.com/news/hote...ge-waiver-fee/
Last edited by 59Impala; Jul 18, 2022 at 11:15 pm Reason: typo
#25
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
Programs: AA LT Plat (4m+), AF Plat, A3 Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat/Ambassador
Posts: 2,645
Another article thar OMAAT picks up from FT and posts as his ownunless OP is OMAAT, which I doubt
https://onemileatatime.com/news/hote...ge-waiver-fee/
https://onemileatatime.com/news/hote...ge-waiver-fee/
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,632
#27
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA ExPl, DL PM, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, probably some others
Posts: 4,025
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,632
I read messages and use some of the information to improve my own travel experiences. If I re-packaged the information to sell on a blog, I would call that “harvesting”. I didn’t say it’s a closed forum or not allowed.
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,904
I am glad this is being noted by blogs (and Matthew, Juha and others please voice your thoughts too) - more publicity should at least make corporate aware...
I did get a response from consumer affairs - basically they (or perhaps a particular agent as i doubt that was escalated) suggest that anything goes since condo property "follows different rules than a traditional hotel".. Globs dont get a waiver but hey they fixed the wording on coverage
And over the last couple days it spread to most if not all HI Destination properties so they are going for it... so far it is not showing up for colorado ones..
I did get a response from consumer affairs - basically they (or perhaps a particular agent as i doubt that was escalated) suggest that anything goes since condo property "follows different rules than a traditional hotel".. Globs dont get a waiver but hey they fixed the wording on coverage
And over the last couple days it spread to most if not all HI Destination properties so they are going for it... so far it is not showing up for colorado ones..
Dear ..,
Thank you for contacting Hyatt; I appreciate the opportunity to assist you.
The Mauna Lani Point is a condo rental property which follows different rules than a traditional hotel. The $79.00 Damage Waiver Fee eliminates the traditional security deposit usually needed for this type of vacation rental. Globalist would not be exempt from this fee. You are able to download a copy of the waiver from the Mauna Lani Point website.
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/ha...ni-point/koaol
They have fixed the wording on the waiver. It now says "for up to
FIFTEEN HUNDRED AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($1,500.00)"
Best regards,
...
Guest Care Support
Thank you for contacting Hyatt; I appreciate the opportunity to assist you.
The Mauna Lani Point is a condo rental property which follows different rules than a traditional hotel. The $79.00 Damage Waiver Fee eliminates the traditional security deposit usually needed for this type of vacation rental. Globalist would not be exempt from this fee. You are able to download a copy of the waiver from the Mauna Lani Point website.
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/ha...ni-point/koaol
They have fixed the wording on the waiver. It now says "for up to
FIFTEEN HUNDRED AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($1,500.00)"
Best regards,
...
Guest Care Support
Last edited by azepine00; Jul 16, 2022 at 5:18 pm
#30
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA ExPl, DL PM, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, probably some others
Posts: 4,025
The post isn't being "sold" on a blog. It's not some deal or secret. It's information being shared to improve other people's travel experiences, which are just as valid and important as yours. It's also more likely to actually result in something being done about the issue, since more people will read that post than the FT thread.