May 11, 2019, 9:00 am
Last edit by: SanDiego1K
Description of resolution can be found here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31088204-post759.html
Outrageous No-Show Fee Incurred At St. Regis Aspen
Mar 20, 2019, 7:25 pm
#421
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
I'm going to weigh in on the "other side" here and ask what jurisdiction's law is being applied here?
Mar 20, 2019, 7:29 pm
#422
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,448
That's a basic principle of contract law. There may be some variation by jurisdiction, but I'd expect that to be the rule in most states, possibly excepting Louisiana. It's certainly the rule in Colorado.
Mar 21, 2019, 8:42 am
#423
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
Someone should send a link to this thread to the New York Times or Wall Street Journal.
Almost all of my Marriott resort reservations this past year have this unethical sleazy penalty. For example, this was a reservation at the Hotel Talisa in Vail over Christmas. This was booked with points. The cost of purchasing a room was about $450 a night. Prior to this thread I just ignored this penalty not thinking it was real (I just assumed I would lose all the points if I cancelled).
Special Services for All Rooms:
December 23, 2018 - December 25, 2018
Rate Plan: SPG Free Nights
AWARD REQUIRED Per Room/per Stay
Guarantee Rules
Your room is guaranteed with a(n) VISA card.
This credit card must be valid for the entire stay. Please present the credit card used to make this reservation upon check-in at the hotel. Please note: If you are booking on behalf of someone else, you must contact the hotel directly to arrange for third party billing.
Cancellation Details
If you cancel before 12:00 PM hotel time on Friday, 23 November 2018 there will be no forfeiture amount.
If you cancel after 12:00 PM hotel time on Friday, 23 November 2018 the forfeiture amount will be USD 899.00.
There may be additional applicable charges and taxes.
Almost all of my Marriott resort reservations this past year have this unethical sleazy penalty. For example, this was a reservation at the Hotel Talisa in Vail over Christmas. This was booked with points. The cost of purchasing a room was about $450 a night. Prior to this thread I just ignored this penalty not thinking it was real (I just assumed I would lose all the points if I cancelled).
Special Services for All Rooms:
December 23, 2018 - December 25, 2018
Rate Plan: SPG Free Nights
AWARD REQUIRED Per Room/per Stay
Guarantee Rules
Your room is guaranteed with a(n) VISA card.
This credit card must be valid for the entire stay. Please present the credit card used to make this reservation upon check-in at the hotel. Please note: If you are booking on behalf of someone else, you must contact the hotel directly to arrange for third party billing.
Cancellation Details
If you cancel before 12:00 PM hotel time on Friday, 23 November 2018 there will be no forfeiture amount.
If you cancel after 12:00 PM hotel time on Friday, 23 November 2018 the forfeiture amount will be USD 899.00.
There may be additional applicable charges and taxes.
Mar 21, 2019, 12:10 pm
#424
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Posts: 100,399
I have never heard of a hotel putting a hold on a CC at the time of booking for the "rack rate" of a room and then refunding it later. Prepaid reservations, sure (as that goes with the name) but not something like this.
Moreover, every indication is that the OP was NOT charged at initial booking (a possible second, unauthorized booking notwithstanding). He was charged during his stay. So I think a certain poster hasn't even bothered to check the fact pattern of the case in question.
Moreover, every indication is that the OP was NOT charged at initial booking (a possible second, unauthorized booking notwithstanding). He was charged during his stay. So I think a certain poster hasn't even bothered to check the fact pattern of the case in question.
I agree, but I noticed something weird with a legacy MR reservation (IIRC at a AAA rate, which I'm entitled to use as I am a member) where some of the nights are now selling for a lot of money: A couple months after I made the reservation they apparently put a $1.00 charge through on my credit card and then refunded it a few days later. They I looked at the reservation online and it gives the usual and expected two day cancel deadline, but when I click on rate rules, a box pops up saying that the reservation has been nonrefundable since one day after the booking. Of course I checked my confirmation email, which gives the 48 hour policy, but I'm printing and keeping all documentation for this reservation (and I'll avoid the property in the future).
BTW when I got the email from AmEx notifying me of the $1.00 credit, my first thought was that my credit card had been compromised and someone was testing it by attempting a small purchase. I'm wondering whether I should report the hotel's practice to AmEx.
BTW when I got the email from AmEx notifying me of the $1.00 credit, my first thought was that my credit card had been compromised and someone was testing it by attempting a small purchase. I'm wondering whether I should report the hotel's practice to AmEx.
Mar 21, 2019, 12:24 pm
#425
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 1,394
So, as an aside I put in a test booking from May 28-June 1. No special rate. I see the following T&C:
Now, I'm not about to put a quarter million points "at risk" to see what comes back in an email (that's a free flight to Australia "in play"), but either the policy has changed, is different after Memorial Day, or that booking would generate two conflicting policies in separate communications. The cash rates were, btw, in the $500/night range (so I think there's a good chance that a $1000/night fee would be unconscionable).
Moreover, the underlying overall issue is that
Now, I'm not about to put a quarter million points "at risk" to see what comes back in an email (that's a free flight to Australia "in play"), but either the policy has changed, is different after Memorial Day, or that booking would generate two conflicting policies in separate communications. The cash rates were, btw, in the $500/night range (so I think there's a good chance that a $1000/night fee would be unconscionable).
Moreover, the underlying overall issue is that
Mar 21, 2019, 1:45 pm
#426
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
I agree, but I noticed something weird with a legacy MR reservation (IIRC at a AAA rate, which I'm entitled to use as I am a member) where some of the nights are now selling for a lot of money: A couple months after I made the reservation they apparently put a $1.00 charge through on my credit card and then refunded it a few days later. They I looked at the reservation online and it gives the usual and expected two day cancel deadline, but when I click on rate rules, a box pops up saying that the reservation has been nonrefundable since one day after the booking. Of course I checked my confirmation email, which gives the 48 hour policy, but I'm printing and keeping all documentation for this reservation (and I'll avoid the property in the future).
BTW when I got the email from AmEx notifying me of the $1.00 credit, my first thought was that my credit card had been compromised and someone was testing it by attempting a small purchase. I'm wondering whether I should report the hotel's practice to AmEx.
BTW when I got the email from AmEx notifying me of the $1.00 credit, my first thought was that my credit card had been compromised and someone was testing it by attempting a small purchase. I'm wondering whether I should report the hotel's practice to AmEx.
Mar 22, 2019, 4:54 am
#429
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 902
I agree, but I noticed something weird with a legacy MR reservation (IIRC at a AAA rate, which I'm entitled to use as I am a member) where some of the nights are now selling for a lot of money: A couple months after I made the reservation they apparently put a $1.00 charge through on my credit card and then refunded it a few days later. They I looked at the reservation online and it gives the usual and expected two day cancel deadline, but when I click on rate rules, a box pops up saying that the reservation has been nonrefundable since one day after the booking. Of course I checked my confirmation email, which gives the 48 hour policy, but I'm printing and keeping all documentation for this reservation (and I'll avoid the property in the future).
BTW when I got the email from AmEx notifying me of the $1.00 credit, my first thought was that my credit card had been compromised and someone was testing it by attempting a small purchase. I'm wondering whether I should report the hotel's practice to AmEx.
BTW when I got the email from AmEx notifying me of the $1.00 credit, my first thought was that my credit card had been compromised and someone was testing it by attempting a small purchase. I'm wondering whether I should report the hotel's practice to AmEx.
A $1.00 reversed charge is the way merchants verify if a credit card used to guarantee a transaction is actually valid and accepting charges. If it had come back as declined the hotel would have probably cancelled your reservation or, at least, asked you to provide another cc for the booking.
Mar 22, 2019, 7:56 am
#430
Join Date: Dec 2003
Programs: AA Plat Pro, United Silver, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,120
...
Cancellation Details
If you cancel before 12:00 PM hotel time on Friday, 23 November 2018 there will be no forfeiture amount.
If you cancel after 12:00 PM hotel time on Friday, 23 November 2018 the forfeiture amount will be USD 899.00.
There may be additional applicable charges and taxes.
Cancellation Details
If you cancel before 12:00 PM hotel time on Friday, 23 November 2018 there will be no forfeiture amount.
If you cancel after 12:00 PM hotel time on Friday, 23 November 2018 the forfeiture amount will be USD 899.00.
There may be additional applicable charges and taxes.
Mar 22, 2019, 9:28 am
#431
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Quebec and Ontario, Canada
Programs: AC*E50, SPG/Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,917
Mar 22, 2019, 11:14 am
#432
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,017
Haha. I didn't mean to suggest that I would fear such a demand letter - - in fact, it would get filed in the circular file within 10 seconds - - but, I have to think that they would attempt this move.
Mar 22, 2019, 11:47 am
#433
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 121
Mar 22, 2019, 11:55 am
#434
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,017
The mental exercise we are discussing concerns using a $50 pre paid card to serve as the card on file. Let them try to milk that cow.
Mar 22, 2019, 12:21 pm
#435
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: MSP
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, UA Silver, Hertz 5*
Posts: 913
A $1.00 reversed charge is the way merchants verify if a credit card used to guarantee a transaction is actually valid and accepting charges. If it had come back as declined the hotel would have probably cancelled your reservation or, at least, asked you to provide another cc for the booking.
Quite obviously, the collective smarts of the folks on FT far far exceeds the mental capabilities of a property reservation/backoffice agent