nacho

I just don't get why the hotel is so desperate for a TA review. There are tons of fake TA reviews and I have actually posted review on TA with exactly my words and they were not published - both 5 stars and 1 star reviews. Once I actually wrote a fake 5* review to see the credibility of TA (a hotel that sucked in many ways and they rejected my 1* review with pictures), nope, it went through, I was so disappointed. I actually cancelled my TA account because of that!

Ksw299

I was recently at the Tambo del inka LC resort in Peru and the waitress in the bar there said she has to have 4 reviews in TA mentioning her every month. I did write a review on TA because her service was very good - but I was very surprised by this.

MSPeconomist

pitflyer

Like another poster I'm now used to being asked for these reviews -- and even specifically being bribed for one. Both from hotels and other agencies. I went to a small local museum once that said TripAdvisor changed their rating system so its now much more weighted towards those that have LOTS of reviews, not just a place that has a bunch of 4 and 5 star reviews. When I browse TripAdvisor I am looking for both (ie 2 or 3 5* and nothing else doesn't tell me anything) but I can see why they are so desperate for it.

One vendor in Columbia that took my wife and I around time messaged me five times. That particular time its because my wife enjoyed the itinerary and enthusiastically told the vendor that she was going to leave a review when we were leaving and had left our cash tip. I had more mixed feelings so I didn't want to hurt the guy's profile with a true review, so decided to say nothing. Of course, my wife has NEVER left a review, good or bad, in her life, and will never do so ... but my email was on the reservation so every week.. hey.. can you leave that review... hey.. please...

On the flip side of the review plate I got some cold food from GrubHub once, commented that to them, and had no idea that my reviews were publicly posted (they didn't say they would be) and sent back to the company, which elicited a snippy response from the vendor, both of which are now publicly posted (and I don't even know how to 'retract it'). Makes me want to use GrubHub even less.

Jaimito Cartero

Beltway2A

What makes it "akin to blackmail?" I could see a comparison to being a bribe (though not a very good one), but what do you think the hotel is threatening OP's husband with here?

UKTraveller4Fun

If he posts a negative review whats the betting the treatment wont be as good the next time he goes back! For that matter if he doesnt post a review at all! I have no problem with a polite request for a review on tripadvisor but the way this request is shaped is very different. Firstly they say they need the feedback, they go on to say 'share your delightful' feedback and telling them the hotel has 'famed hospitality'. It is all framed by being reminded in the first line about the small gift!

It is overall quite forceful and leading and as such to me it appears like if you dont leave a review or left anything negative it is pretty safe to say the hotel will not appreciate that and you won't be getting the same 'small gift' or famed hospitality next time you stay!


I have to say upon reading it a second time I dislike it more than I did first time round, really is quite crude.

Beltway2A

I'm don't think you understand what blackmail is. From the post above, the only thing he got above what he was entitled to was a small box of chocolates and "some craft things". There's been no indication he was told he won't get his regularly scheduled corporate or elite benefits should he choose to leave a bad review or leave no review at all. There's certainly nothing even approaching the realm of anything that could be even generously described as "blackmail."

UKTraveller4Fun

This is FT not a criminal investigation, I am fully aware of the dictionary term blackmail, I am also aware words can be used in various context to suggest / illustrate different things and in this case in my opinion the gifts are fine, but the way the email was worded made it very clear the hotel wanted something in return for these items! I never suggested for a second he would not recieve his elite benifits or possible corp rate, but its very easy for these things to be delivered and you still have avery poor stay or the extra service delivered previousy not happen anymore. In my opinion (which I accept others will disagree with) the email makes it clear they expect a very good review on TA for these things and as such don't do it dont expect the extra tuoches next time!