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 16, 2019, 1:29 pm
#226
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except I have to click into it to see this. When I go to the list of hotels, this shows up at 100 while another may show up as 110 - this hotel is more expensive, but it takes a whole lot of clicks to find out.
I dont have a problem with unbundled fares for OPTIONAL things like checked bags or breakfast. These hidden fees are mandatory and designed to make comparative searching harder.
if it's so clear, why not eliminate the fee and just list your hotel at 137.50? Because it isn't clear and you know that.
I dont have a problem with unbundled fares for OPTIONAL things like checked bags or breakfast. These hidden fees are mandatory and designed to make comparative searching harder.
if it's so clear, why not eliminate the fee and just list your hotel at 137.50? Because it isn't clear and you know that.
Mar 16, 2019, 1:34 pm
#227
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also the US culturally has an issue with tax included pricing. When I buy a croissant in Europe, the price shown is inclusive of VAT.
to the handful of defenders who seem to be hotel owners or managers, where do you own/work? I ask because I feel people here hide behind aliases and wont tell you to your face. If they really believe this is the right way, stand behind it and tell us where. Because I'd share my opinion exactly the same as I do here, doesnt matter whether you're a hotel FD person, a manager, an owner, an owner of a management company or Arne himself.
if your ad says the golden rule, then damn well live by it. Stand up tall and proud and treat others the way you would want to be treated. And if that's with hidden fees and sly cancellation policies, pray tell where we can find them.
Last edited by Antarius; Mar 16, 2019 at 1:45 pm
Mar 16, 2019, 2:04 pm
#228
Join Date: Dec 2004
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I have a points reservation for next February at the St. Regis Deer Valley and just received this email. Note that this condition was not disclosed when the room was booked. Of course, I cannot say how this property would invoke this provision under the OP's circumstances.
Mar 16, 2019, 2:27 pm
#229
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"they cant do it" You know when American bought US Air, my upgrade status changed to having to have a coupon instead going on the list. I have no idea but as all products change to the the "buyers" rules, I would assume the law protects the buyer.
Mar 16, 2019, 2:29 pm
#230
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Location: Buffalo, but live from suitcase
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Mar 16, 2019, 2:33 pm
#231
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Location: Buffalo, but live from suitcase
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Y'all have made some good points (and a few stupid ones) on both sides, but this part is the thing that absolutely infuriates me about this property, and franchisees like it. Dear owner, if you think it is too much of a burden to provide St Regis benefits, then take down the flag and go it alone, but if you want to land all those rich St Regis whales, then you pay for the privilege.
In my hometown our Sheraton got bought out and the new owner pulled out of Sheraton and became an independent. He didn't whine about the burden of providing Sheraton benefits, he told the local newspaper that he simply thought he could drum up more business by spending that money on an in house sales dept. than sending the money to SPG.
Personally, I haven't heard gripes from the domestic owners, but no doubt a lot of the former Starwood overseas properties are screaming their collective head off about forcing the SPG hoi polloi to rub elbows with the Marriott commoners.
Mar 16, 2019, 2:37 pm
#232
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Location: Buffalo, but live from suitcase
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Marriott charges your credit card the rate at the time of booking with points and states that it will be refunded if you show up. Not much clearer than that
Mar 16, 2019, 2:44 pm
#233
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he points refund would be zero b/c you still need to pay for 4 nights with points. My case is a little weird in this regard b/c I did receive 20,000 points back per room as previously mentioned (though no one in their right mind would value 20K points from Marriott as being worth $1,113).
Mar 16, 2019, 3:32 pm
#236
Join Date: Apr 2003
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Understanding the business model of the St. Regis Aspen might be helpful to understanding the ridiculous and shortsighted approach.
Basically, its controlled by a single individual, Stephane De Baets, through a private equity fund, Elevated Returns. Elevated Returns tried to sell it as a single property publicly traded REIT, the first of it's kind. That didn't work and they pulled the public offering. Then in October 2018, De Baets started selling "blockchain" units of the property.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephane_De_Baets
https://commercialobserver.com/2018/08/aspen-st-regis-blockchain/
Obviously, this isnt a normal structure for property ownership and doesnt show any long term commitment. The property wasnt sufficiently interesting for the single property REIT ...or enough to get purchased by another REIT ... so there must be pressure to pump short term EBITDA.
Now ...Probably worth updating his wiki page to highlight the controversy here. Or contacting him.
Basically, its controlled by a single individual, Stephane De Baets, through a private equity fund, Elevated Returns. Elevated Returns tried to sell it as a single property publicly traded REIT, the first of it's kind. That didn't work and they pulled the public offering. Then in October 2018, De Baets started selling "blockchain" units of the property.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephane_De_Baets
https://commercialobserver.com/2018/08/aspen-st-regis-blockchain/
Obviously, this isnt a normal structure for property ownership and doesnt show any long term commitment. The property wasnt sufficiently interesting for the single property REIT ...or enough to get purchased by another REIT ... so there must be pressure to pump short term EBITDA.
Now ...Probably worth updating his wiki page to highlight the controversy here. Or contacting him.
Mar 16, 2019, 6:00 pm
#237
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,453
except I have to click into it to see this. When I go to the list of hotels, this shows up at 100 while another may show up as 110 - this hotel is more expensive, but it takes a whole lot of clicks to find out.
I dont have a problem with unbundled fares for OPTIONAL things like checked bags or breakfast. These hidden fees are mandatory and designed to make comparative searching harder.
if it's so clear, why not eliminate the fee and just list your hotel at 137.50? Because it isn't clear and you know that.
I dont have a problem with unbundled fares for OPTIONAL things like checked bags or breakfast. These hidden fees are mandatory and designed to make comparative searching harder.
if it's so clear, why not eliminate the fee and just list your hotel at 137.50? Because it isn't clear and you know that.
Mar 16, 2019, 6:02 pm
#238
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 1,411
Thank you for posting this. The fact that you think that this is how it works explains why none of your other posts on this subject make any sense.
Mar 16, 2019, 6:04 pm
#239
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,074
Mar 16, 2019, 7:20 pm
#240
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,178
Sleazy. I can't define it but when I see it I know what it is.
Resort fees? Sleazy.
Calling a customer who shows up late a no show? Sleazy.
Hotel managers who defend the indefensible? Sleazy.
Resort fees? Sleazy.
Calling a customer who shows up late a no show? Sleazy.
Hotel managers who defend the indefensible? Sleazy.