"Guaranteed room availability" - a joke of a perk!
Feb 12, 2021, 1:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2021
Programs: IHG Bonvoy BWRewards HH
Posts: 3
"Guaranteed room availability" - a joke of a perk!
We all work hard to achieve advanced status in hotel programs. IHG's "Guaranteed room availability", as part of Platinum Elite is a complete farce. Why? Because of this footnote to the benefit: "...except during special events that result in extraordinary demand, as determined solely by the hotel." I was told a certain property couldn't meet the Guaranteed room availability because of a hockey tournament in the city. Seriously? So any request for Guaranteed room availability can be met with a lame excuse by the property. They don't have to list those "special events" on their hotel website, and there is no limit to the number of such special event nights in a calendar year. Which renders the IHG perk meaningless and shallow. Shame on you, IHG. Marriott Bonvoy would never pull such a stunt.
Feb 12, 2021, 1:58 pm
#2
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We all work hard to achieve advanced status in hotel programs. IHG's "Guaranteed room availability", as part of Platinum Elite is a complete farce. Why? Because of this footnote to the benefit: "...except during special events that result in extraordinary demand, as determined solely by the hotel." I was told a certain property couldn't meet the Guaranteed room availability because of a hockey tournament in the city. Seriously? So any request for Guaranteed room availability can be met with a lame excuse by the property. They don't have to list those "special events" on their hotel website, and there is no limit to the number of such special event nights in a calendar year. Which renders the IHG perk meaningless and shallow. Shame on you, IHG. Marriott Bonvoy would never pull such a stunt.
They all do this. Every 'benefit' is subject to a lot of things beyond your, or (apparently) the hotel's, control. Nothing new here.
Feb 12, 2021, 2:12 pm
#3
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Join Date: Feb 2021
Programs: IHG Bonvoy BWRewards HH
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Some perks are more meaningful than others. And some perks are just shams, sadly. (Like the one I wrote about above.) A great hotel program makes up for an inability to meet a customer's expectations via another solution. While the mediocre programs are content to say, "No can do" and just leave a customer flat.
Feb 12, 2021, 2:40 pm
#4
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Meh - Whether it's a hockey tournament or jai alai, it makes no difference.
No property is going to boot people out of a major event for a middling spend individual.
If you can find a program which better suits your needs, I would grab it.
No property is going to boot people out of a major event for a middling spend individual.
If you can find a program which better suits your needs, I would grab it.
Feb 12, 2021, 3:23 pm
#6
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Feb 12, 2021, 4:35 pm
#7
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Feb 13, 2021, 12:18 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
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As UKTravelBear notes, Marriott has essentially the same restrictions. From the Marriott Terms and Conditions:
"Forty-eight (48) Hour Guaranteed Availability may not be available on certain limited dates (e.g., special events)."
Source (Section 4.3.d.ii): https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/terms/default.mi
"Forty-eight (48) Hour Guaranteed Availability may not be available on certain limited dates (e.g., special events)."
Source (Section 4.3.d.ii): https://www.marriott.com/loyalty/terms/default.mi
Feb 13, 2021, 2:24 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Somewhere in Europe
Posts: 3,362
Yep, probably better them better coming back and saying they can't accommodate you and being honest than simply saying yes we will provide a room but it will be at rack or something ridiculous like 1500% of the regular rates in order for you to be so repelled at the asking price you don't bother.
Feb 13, 2021, 4:09 am
#12
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I agree that a qualified ‘guarantee’ really isn’t one, but to fulfil this pledge, the hotel would, in theory, never be able to take regular guests, and be built with the number of rooms equalling the number of status holders to whom the guarantee has been extended.
Feb 13, 2021, 4:36 am
#13
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I tried the availability "guarantee" only once in my 14-year RA history. It involved two nights in the middle of a one-week stay. They offered a room but at a rate so extreme I held my nose and shifted the stay to a Hilton.
The only IHG guarantee that worked hitch-free was the extended check-in/out times. Check-in was then set at 8am, but I never had a problem rocking up much earlier.
I think the "guaranteed" time limits have shortened, and i understand there's some sort of silliness where hotels can buy themselves out of the obligation with a $20 adjustment to the bill.
The only IHG guarantee that worked hitch-free was the extended check-in/out times. Check-in was then set at 8am, but I never had a problem rocking up much earlier.
I think the "guaranteed" time limits have shortened, and i understand there's some sort of silliness where hotels can buy themselves out of the obligation with a $20 adjustment to the bill.
Feb 13, 2021, 11:26 am
#14
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I wouldn't say the grass is any greener at Marriott.
I have tried to use that benefit a couple of times and been denied both times.
When places are that high demand for a big event its not like they simply bring more hotel rooms online.
I have tried to use that benefit a couple of times and been denied both times.
When places are that high demand for a big event its not like they simply bring more hotel rooms online.