How to determine whether rate is "qualifying"?
Feb 20, 2019, 9:09 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,082
How to determine whether rate is "qualifying"?
Hello all,
I have a few upcoming stays where the I've been booked under a "locally negotiated rate" directly with the hotel in question.
Is there any way I can confirm/check whether this rate is "qualifying" in terms of points/nights credit?
From past experiences, I haven't had any issues, but since these stays are quite long, I wanted to make sure. Perhaps rate negotiated had something in it stipulating no points/nights .
Would hotel front desk be able to determine this if I called?
Side note, the rate isn't ridiculously low in any way, in fact it's actually more than the AAA rate some days.
TIA
I have a few upcoming stays where the I've been booked under a "locally negotiated rate" directly with the hotel in question.
Is there any way I can confirm/check whether this rate is "qualifying" in terms of points/nights credit?
From past experiences, I haven't had any issues, but since these stays are quite long, I wanted to make sure. Perhaps rate negotiated had something in it stipulating no points/nights .
Would hotel front desk be able to determine this if I called?
Side note, the rate isn't ridiculously low in any way, in fact it's actually more than the AAA rate some days.
TIA
Feb 20, 2019, 9:45 am
#2
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
Since you did the negotiation, was there any mention by the hotel that in exchange for the lower rate you would not receive nights/points credit? If the answer is no, then you'll receive points/night stay credit. Since the rate is not dirt cheap, doubt you'll have a problem.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Feb 20, 2019, 12:54 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,082
Since you did the negotiation, was there any mention by the hotel that in exchange for the lower rate you would not receive nights/points credit? If the answer is no, then you'll receive points/night stay credit. Since the rate is not dirt cheap, doubt you'll have a problem.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Was mainly curious whether this is something a quick call to front desk would be able to confirm. If not, I'll have to cross my fingers and hope.
Feb 20, 2019, 1:04 pm
#4
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Suppose you learn somehow (from contracting the hotel or whatever) that it isn't a qualifying rate. What would you do then? Reserve under a different rate plan, cancel the trip, stay elsewhere, etc.?
If this is some business trip where you must go, must stay in that hotel, and must use the reservation you have under the locally negotiated rate, asking in advance won't matter but it might reduce the chance (however small) that you'll ge given credit by mistake.
If this is some business trip where you must go, must stay in that hotel, and must use the reservation you have under the locally negotiated rate, asking in advance won't matter but it might reduce the chance (however small) that you'll ge given credit by mistake.
Feb 20, 2019, 1:36 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,082
Suppose you learn somehow (from contracting the hotel or whatever) that it isn't a qualifying rate. What would you do then? Reserve under a different rate plan, cancel the trip, stay elsewhere, etc.?
If this is some business trip where you must go, must stay in that hotel, and must use the reservation you have under the locally negotiated rate, asking in advance won't matter but it might reduce the chance (however small) that you'll ge given credit by mistake.
If this is some business trip where you must go, must stay in that hotel, and must use the reservation you have under the locally negotiated rate, asking in advance won't matter but it might reduce the chance (however small) that you'll ge given credit by mistake.
I'd possibly book under the AAA rate plan and eat the difference myself if I was able to find out ahead of time.
Feb 20, 2019, 1:43 pm
#7
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So the problem is that you need a definitive answer regarding whether the rate is eligible without asking the person on your side who negotiated the contract or asking your organization for a copy of the contract, right?
Depending on the size of the property and the size of the contract, I'd probably try to start by contacting the hotel's sale manager. I don't think a random front desk agent would know and they might be tempted to just make up an answer (perhaps not even understanding the question or why you care) to make you go away. You certainly want to know the person's name and job title and ideally to get the answer in writing, in an email to you, that references your specific reservation confirmation number.
Depending on the size of the property and the size of the contract, I'd probably try to start by contacting the hotel's sale manager. I don't think a random front desk agent would know and they might be tempted to just make up an answer (perhaps not even understanding the question or why you care) to make you go away. You certainly want to know the person's name and job title and ideally to get the answer in writing, in an email to you, that references your specific reservation confirmation number.
Feb 20, 2019, 5:33 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
While your suggestion of contacting a Sales Manager would probably work (as would an on-site Reservations or Revenue Manager), I'd vote for contacting person/office in the company who did negotiate that rate. To me, that's easier than trying to track down someone at the hotel.
Feb 20, 2019, 6:21 pm
#9
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I think this is correct in most hotels. The Front Desk isn't involved in this aspect of hotel operations, so they wouldn't necessarily know where to find that information in the system.
While your suggestion of contacting a Sales Manager would probably work (as would an on-site Reservations or Revenue Manager), I'd vote for contacting person/office in the company who did negotiate that rate. To me, that's easier than trying to track down someone at the hotel.
While your suggestion of contacting a Sales Manager would probably work (as would an on-site Reservations or Revenue Manager), I'd vote for contacting person/office in the company who did negotiate that rate. To me, that's easier than trying to track down someone at the hotel.
I agree, assuming that the person who negotiated the contract understands the meaning and implications of qualifying rate, but OP said that he/she can't get a copy of the contract and seems very reluctant to try to ask questions of the person who negotiated it. So the only remaining acceptable option seems to be to ask the hotel and, if so, I certainly wouldn't ask a random front desk agent.
Feb 20, 2019, 6:49 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,082
Thanks for the feedback guys.
I've reached out to the person who negotiated the rate, as well as the hotel sales office in hopes of getting clarification.
That being said, this is a legacy Mar property, so was wondering how have people's past experiences been with regards to legacy properties treating negotiated rates as eligible?
I see a few posts above, someone mentioned that for old SPG, properties typically treated these as non-eligible.
I'm pretty sure I've had these kind of rates earn points/nights in the past before, but now I am doubting my memory.
I've reached out to the person who negotiated the rate, as well as the hotel sales office in hopes of getting clarification.
That being said, this is a legacy Mar property, so was wondering how have people's past experiences been with regards to legacy properties treating negotiated rates as eligible?
I see a few posts above, someone mentioned that for old SPG, properties typically treated these as non-eligible.
I'm pretty sure I've had these kind of rates earn points/nights in the past before, but now I am doubting my memory.