How does Bed Type work when it isn't offered on the reservation page?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 331
How does Bed Type work when it isn't offered on the reservation page?
Hi,
I'm looking at making a reservation, but for numerous hotels, the room type states something like:
"Guest room, 1 King or 2 Twin/Single Bed(s)"
There don't appear to be separate reservation options for 1 King, 2 Twin, etc like SPG almost invariably used to offer.
How does bed type work at these properties? Does it just mean they are unable to guarantee it beforehand? Quite disappointing if so.
Thanks!
I'm looking at making a reservation, but for numerous hotels, the room type states something like:
"Guest room, 1 King or 2 Twin/Single Bed(s)"
There don't appear to be separate reservation options for 1 King, 2 Twin, etc like SPG almost invariably used to offer.
How does bed type work at these properties? Does it just mean they are unable to guarantee it beforehand? Quite disappointing if so.
Thanks!
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,368
Details? Location?
If this is some special rate, such as a conference room block, it could be just a "run of house" room, meaning you get whatever is available at check in. I'm guessing this because the term guest room doesn't indicate a room category either.
If this is some special rate, such as a conference room block, it could be just a "run of house" room, meaning you get whatever is available at check in. I'm guessing this because the term guest room doesn't indicate a room category either.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 331
I'm guessing you're right that it's ROH, but it appears even when using a non-special rate.
I have seen it at numerous properties (which is why I didn't mention one in the OP); an example of one is Gritti Palace Venice where the "Deluxe, Guest room" offers no definite choice of bed type at any rate.
Thanks!
I have seen it at numerous properties (which is why I didn't mention one in the OP); an example of one is Gritti Palace Venice where the "Deluxe, Guest room" offers no definite choice of bed type at any rate.
Thanks!
#4
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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I'm guessing you're right that it's ROH, but it appears even when using a non-special rate.
I have seen it at numerous properties (which is why I didn't mention one in the OP); an example of one is Gritti Palace Venice where the "Deluxe, Guest room" offers no definite choice of bed type at any rate.
Thanks!
I have seen it at numerous properties (which is why I didn't mention one in the OP); an example of one is Gritti Palace Venice where the "Deluxe, Guest room" offers no definite choice of bed type at any rate.
Thanks!
However, "Deluxe" would be a room category, probably their lowest.
BTW, IIRC MR and now Starriott only guarantee bed type for elites, so if you book two beds and get one or vv, I don't think there's any recourse.
BTW, IIRC MR and now Starriott only guarantee bed type for elites, so if you book two beds and get one or vv, I don't think there's any recourse.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 331
Thanks for the reply However I am a Marriott (SPG) Elite, Platinum, the issue is that no choice of bed type is offered at reservation time, for cash or award, whether signed in or not.
To quote an example: the Sheraton Charles de Gaulle offers multiple rooms for a single room type, and I can choose between Twin, Double, etc. This is how SPG always worked - fine.
Paris Marriott Charles de Gaulle Airport Hotel states "1 King or 2 Twin/Single Bed(s)" as the room type, with no option to specify. But if I choose this room, I can at least then select bed type under "Guaranteed Room Features" etc on the second page. Different... but also fine.
Gritti Palace, like the Paris Marriott above, states "1 King or 2 Twin" as the room type, but doesn't offer bed type as a guaranteed room feature selection on that second page.
It seems peculiar to me that this is property specific and not brand specific!
To quote an example: the Sheraton Charles de Gaulle offers multiple rooms for a single room type, and I can choose between Twin, Double, etc. This is how SPG always worked - fine.
Paris Marriott Charles de Gaulle Airport Hotel states "1 King or 2 Twin/Single Bed(s)" as the room type, with no option to specify. But if I choose this room, I can at least then select bed type under "Guaranteed Room Features" etc on the second page. Different... but also fine.
Gritti Palace, like the Paris Marriott above, states "1 King or 2 Twin" as the room type, but doesn't offer bed type as a guaranteed room feature selection on that second page.
It seems peculiar to me that this is property specific and not brand specific!
#6
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
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You might try calling the Plat Customer Service line to see if an agent can set a specific bed-type for you. I tried to look over the Marriott Rewards T&Cs, but it looks like Marriott has changed the "bed-type" guarantee for elites to just a "priority". I have no idea how this would be enforced, if a Plat or above is not given "priority" to their room type request. There is a compensation table, but how that would work is anyone's guess as the hotel will always say they gave you priority and still ran out.
Maybe one of the Lurkers can expound on how someone should know if they are due the Bed-type guarantee or not?
Maybe one of the Lurkers can expound on how someone should know if they are due the Bed-type guarantee or not?
#7
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: DFW/PHL
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Posts: 623
Thanks for the reply However I am a Marriott (SPG) Elite, Platinum, the issue is that no choice of bed type is offered at reservation time, for cash or award, whether signed in or not.
To quote an example: the Sheraton Charles de Gaulle offers multiple rooms for a single room type, and I can choose between Twin, Double, etc. This is how SPG always worked - fine.
Paris Marriott Charles de Gaulle Airport Hotel states "1 King or 2 Twin/Single Bed(s)" as the room type, with no option to specify. But if I choose this room, I can at least then select bed type under "Guaranteed Room Features" etc on the second page. Different... but also fine.
Gritti Palace, like the Paris Marriott above, states "1 King or 2 Twin" as the room type, but doesn't offer bed type as a guaranteed room feature selection on that second page.
It seems peculiar to me that this is property specific and not brand specific!
To quote an example: the Sheraton Charles de Gaulle offers multiple rooms for a single room type, and I can choose between Twin, Double, etc. This is how SPG always worked - fine.
Paris Marriott Charles de Gaulle Airport Hotel states "1 King or 2 Twin/Single Bed(s)" as the room type, with no option to specify. But if I choose this room, I can at least then select bed type under "Guaranteed Room Features" etc on the second page. Different... but also fine.
Gritti Palace, like the Paris Marriott above, states "1 King or 2 Twin" as the room type, but doesn't offer bed type as a guaranteed room feature selection on that second page.
It seems peculiar to me that this is property specific and not brand specific!
I've settled on adding the bed type to the "special requests" section (manual text) and reminding them when I get the "concierge email." While I think the likelihood of an elite not getting their requested bed type is low, there is still some degree of risk so this wouldn't work if you must have a specific room type.
#8
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 21
Base room here for points redemption is a queen. I thought we were guaranteed 1 King or 2 double/queens as a "standard room" at any property for points redemptions? As a platinum member it's particularly disappointing how small these standard rooms look.
#9
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: NC
Programs: AA, Marriott/SPG, AMEX
Posts: 272
I just looked at one of my reservations for an upcoming stay that showed similar language for the bed type. This is a snapshot of what my reservation is:
We have always gotten a King-to the point I call properties when we actually need 2 queens/doubles if that's what we want for a particular trip. Check your booking or do a dummy booking to see what shows up. If you do a dummy booking make sure to cancel immediately if it is not to your liking.
We have always gotten a King-to the point I call properties when we actually need 2 queens/doubles if that's what we want for a particular trip. Check your booking or do a dummy booking to see what shows up. If you do a dummy booking make sure to cancel immediately if it is not to your liking.
#10
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Redondo Beach, CA USA
Programs: UA 1KMM, Bonvoy LTE+A, HH D, Nat'l EE, Hertz Plat, Avis PC
Posts: 3,710
Another area where MR was superior to SPG. In the past, when reserving at a Marriott hotel where it shows "1 king / 2 double beds" or whatever, in the room preferences section you just had to put "king bed" and it was guaranteed--with a $200 compensation if the hotel didn't follow through. Now they seem to be adopting the inferior SPG standard where you book specific room types including beds, and if what you want isn't available (no matter what elite level you are) then you're just out of luck.
See the post immediately above mine for an example of what I'm talking about.
See the post immediately above mine for an example of what I'm talking about.
Last edited by DJ_Iceman; Jun 4, 2019 at 6:54 pm Reason: referencing post above mine
#11
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
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I’m seeing this a lot recently - it’s basically a way for properties to get around the bed type guarantee, but done in a way where they don’t even collect your preferences which strikes me as being incredibly lazy.
I’m not sure we can really blame SPG for this. In SPG times one just booked the room one wanted with the bed time desired. Obviously if other people had already taken all those rooms it would be unavailable.
I’m not sure we can really blame SPG for this. In SPG times one just booked the room one wanted with the bed time desired. Obviously if other people had already taken all those rooms it would be unavailable.
#12
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
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From the Marriott Bonvoy T&Cs (section 3.2.e.ii): "With an Award Redemption Stay, bedding and smoking preferences may be requested, but are not guaranteed."
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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SPG didn't need guarantees, due to the higher level of CS and property adherence to T&Cs...Marriott, not so much, thus the guarantee @:-)
#14
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 188
I'm guessing you're right that it's ROH, but it appears even when using a non-special rate.
I have seen it at numerous properties (which is why I didn't mention one in the OP); an example of one is Gritti Palace Venice where the "Deluxe, Guest room" offers no definite choice of bed type at any rate.
Thanks!
I have seen it at numerous properties (which is why I didn't mention one in the OP); an example of one is Gritti Palace Venice where the "Deluxe, Guest room" offers no definite choice of bed type at any rate.
Thanks!
#15
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