Al Maha claims they're overbooked and want to cancel my reservation
Mar 30, 2019, 5:12 pm
#136
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 902
Mar 30, 2019, 6:03 pm
#137
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
Well I've got my fingers crossed that the OP can get the property to put them up at a similar property & pick up F&B to make it match (somewhat) the all-inclusive. Wishing him (and the other poster who is in the same boat) good luck! 
Cheers.
Cheers.
Mar 30, 2019, 6:28 pm
#138
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,009
1. Marriott invests a lot of money into its loyalty program
2. Rogue owners --who disregard the rules-- undermine their efforts
3. A lot of us are bitter about Marriott's management of former SPG properties, but I suggest we cut them a bit of (but, not too much) slack; these are growing pains
Mar 30, 2019, 6:30 pm
#139
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: Alaska
Posts: 2,188
The property is making a sound decision. It is more unlikely that cash-paying guest will cancel a reservations. Many of those point advance reservations will be cancelled in the end. If you manage this property and have a capacity issue, you will contact those with point advance reservations first, too.
Point advance reservations are not paid yet. It can be automatically cancelled if you don’t have enough points. What compensation for a reservation not paid yet? 90k points and money is ridiculous.
Point advance reservations are not paid yet. It can be automatically cancelled if you don’t have enough points. What compensation for a reservation not paid yet? 90k points and money is ridiculous.
Mar 30, 2019, 6:37 pm
#140
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,009
The property is making a sound decision. It is more unlikely that cash-paying guest will cancel a reservations. Many of those point advance reservations will be cancelled in the end. If you manage this property and have a capacity issue, you will contact those with point advance reservations first, too.
Point advance reservations are not paid yet. It can be automatically cancelled if you don’t have enough points. What compensation for a reservation not paid yet? 90k points and money is ridiculous.
Point advance reservations are not paid yet. It can be automatically cancelled if you don’t have enough points. What compensation for a reservation not paid yet? 90k points and money is ridiculous.
Mar 30, 2019, 6:38 pm
#141
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: Alaska
Posts: 2,188
Mar 30, 2019, 6:44 pm
#142
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: Alaska
Posts: 2,188
While I get the fact that they only have 42 rooms, and the OP is booking during one of their busiest time periods, they permitted him to book, and are now backtracking. This is not cool. Basically, if they don't want to be civil, they should ditch Marriott, and go it on their own.
The proepty should go to Marriott and ask Marriott to firm those point advance reservations or cancell them.
With point advance, it is hard for properties to manage reservations, especially property such as this. It almost certainly can’t resell it in time and has to refuse many genuine customer because point advance takes too many reservations.
i don’t foresee point advance last another year, not at this property.
Mar 30, 2019, 6:47 pm
#143
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
I partially disagree.
1. Marriott invests a lot of money into its loyalty program
2. Rogue owners --who disregard the rules-- undermine their efforts
3. A lot of us are bitter about Marriott's management of former SPG properties, but I suggest we cut them a bit of (but, not too much) slack; these are growing pains
1. Marriott invests a lot of money into its loyalty program
2. Rogue owners --who disregard the rules-- undermine their efforts
3. A lot of us are bitter about Marriott's management of former SPG properties, but I suggest we cut them a bit of (but, not too much) slack; these are growing pains
As Gary ... who's no fan of Marriott noted ... "Starwood’s system allowed hotels a greater ability to game their inventory and reimbursements."
https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea...ith-inventory/
Similarly, there are lots of reports with legacy SPG properties in Asia gaming availability by designating a single room as a standard room and using that to block awards. I suspect these issues are more apparent under Marriott's system because there is greater award availability.
All that being said .... it does look like the hotel was really overbooked and they did give the OP more than nine months advance notice. My recollection is that they also promptly notified him of the problem.
OP might be well advised to seek a couple of days at the Al Maha and then a couple of days at the Marriott property also owned by Emirates and leverage this issue for customer service gestures of upgrades/property credits/etc.
Mar 30, 2019, 6:59 pm
#144
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,009
2. The Ritz option probably won't be "all inclusive", but I'm thinking $100 per person per day in F&B is within reach
3. @pete.th: I suggest you be kind/reasonable during your communications with the property; while the request for you to cancel on your own was completely obnoxious, they will go to greater lengths if you are nice to them
Mar 30, 2019, 7:15 pm
#145
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: 100,393
The property is making a sound decision. It is more unlikely that cash-paying guest will cancel a reservations. Many of those point advance reservations will be cancelled in the end. If you manage this property and have a capacity issue, you will contact those with point advance reservations first, too.
Point advance reservations are not paid yet. It can be automatically cancelled if you don’t have enough points. What compensation for a reservation not paid yet? 90k points and money is ridiculous.
Point advance reservations are not paid yet. It can be automatically cancelled if you don’t have enough points. What compensation for a reservation not paid yet? 90k points and money is ridiculous.
However, for reservations paid with money, the prepaid ones are the cheaper room rates. By this logic, would you cancel the "refundable" reservations (at the highest rates) first?
Mar 30, 2019, 7:44 pm
#146
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
1. The OP should NOT cancel his reservation until he receives a satisfactory resolution
2. The Ritz option probably won't be "all inclusive", but I'm thinking $100 per person per day in F&B is within reach
3. @pete.th: I suggest you be kind/reasonable during your communications with the property; while the request for you to cancel on your own was completely obnoxious, they will go to greater lengths if you are nice to them
2. The Ritz option probably won't be "all inclusive", but I'm thinking $100 per person per day in F&B is within reach
3. @pete.th: I suggest you be kind/reasonable during your communications with the property; while the request for you to cancel on your own was completely obnoxious, they will go to greater lengths if you are nice to them
But, I'm skeptical of the property doing anything with the Ritz since it is under different ownership which means they have to write a check to cover F&B. That's why they asked OP to cancel and rebook.
In contrast, google suggests there is at least one other property in Dubai with the same ownership. Its far more realistic that the GM can do something with that property because of the common ownership.
Mar 30, 2019, 7:47 pm
#147
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: 100,393
I agree OP shouldn't cancel and with your comments about being kind/reasonable.
But, I'm skeptical of the property doing anything with the Ritz since it is under different ownership which means they have to write a check to cover F&B. That's why they asked OP to cancel and rebook.
In contrast, google suggests there is at least one other property in Dubai with the same ownership. Its far more realistic that the GM can do something with that property because of the common ownership.
But, I'm skeptical of the property doing anything with the Ritz since it is under different ownership which means they have to write a check to cover F&B. That's why they asked OP to cancel and rebook.
In contrast, google suggests there is at least one other property in Dubai with the same ownership. Its far more realistic that the GM can do something with that property because of the common ownership.
What's that other property with the same ownership and is it comparable? In fact, is it already overbooked too for the period including NYE?
Mar 30, 2019, 8:04 pm
#148
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: Alaska
Posts: 2,188
point advance is different. Marriott can cancel the reservation as it never booked if there is not enough points. Can Marriott cancel a refundable reservation like this?
What’s the penalty for not having enough points but blocked a room anyway? What’s the compensation for hotels to cater for such reservations?
Mar 30, 2019, 8:09 pm
#149
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
I'm not positive but my quick google search suggests the Grand Habtoor is also owned by Emirates. Comparable ... a different property and different style ... but it has suites available from my quick search.
Mar 30, 2019, 8:09 pm
#150
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: Alaska
Posts: 2,188
I agree OP shouldn't cancel and with your comments about being kind/reasonable.
But, I'm skeptical of the property doing anything with the Ritz since it is under different ownership which means they have to write a check to cover F&B. That's why they asked OP to cancel and rebook.
In contrast, google suggests there is at least one other property in Dubai with the same ownership. Its far more realistic that the GM can do something with that property because of the common ownership.
But, I'm skeptical of the property doing anything with the Ritz since it is under different ownership which means they have to write a check to cover F&B. That's why they asked OP to cancel and rebook.
In contrast, google suggests there is at least one other property in Dubai with the same ownership. Its far more realistic that the GM can do something with that property because of the common ownership.
I don’t think the property will pay for OP as OP’s reservations to be cancelled are point advance. Before OP withdraws points to confirm reservation, no point for the property to do anything. The property can bet that OP will not confirm all point advance reservations and OP really does not intend to!