Time for me to move on - charged a cancellation fee after being told I wouldn't
Apr 18, 2019, 6:44 am
#91
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If you look at Marriott properties on OTA websites like booking.com, expedia, etc. They have a specific time when MR properties booked on a flex rate becomes non-refundable. So why do OTAs have very clear cancellation policies of Marriott properties but Marriott itself don't?
Take for example Westin Berlin. It is very clear what the cancel policy is on OTAs. Cant Marriott be like this? or maybe It is because their system is inferior compared to SPG?
Last edited by supatight80; Apr 18, 2019 at 6:58 am
Apr 18, 2019, 9:23 am
#92
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I would say they are tolerating properties changing their policies. They are initiating the obfuscation of cancellation policies.
And to the previous poster who said I should get with the 21st century? I'd rather take the century out and beat it to a bloody pulp. It sucks.
And to the previous poster who said I should get with the 21st century? I'd rather take the century out and beat it to a bloody pulp. It sucks.
Apr 18, 2019, 10:15 am
#93
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Is Marriott tolerating? Or are they initiating?
If you look at Marriott properties on OTA websites like booking.com, expedia, etc. They have a specific time when MR properties booked on a flex rate becomes non-refundable. So why do OTAs have very clear cancellation policies of Marriott properties but Marriott itself don't?
Take for example Westin Berlin. It is very clear what the cancel policy is on OTAs. Cant Marriott be like this? or maybe It is because their system is inferior compared to SPG?
If you look at Marriott properties on OTA websites like booking.com, expedia, etc. They have a specific time when MR properties booked on a flex rate becomes non-refundable. So why do OTAs have very clear cancellation policies of Marriott properties but Marriott itself don't?
Take for example Westin Berlin. It is very clear what the cancel policy is on OTAs. Cant Marriott be like this? or maybe It is because their system is inferior compared to SPG?
Why is the cancellation deadline one minute before midnight for the first example and 6 pm (eighteen hours later) in the second example?
Apr 18, 2019, 10:27 am
#94
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As an update - I received a very brief email late last night from my Ambassador telling me that the charge would be reversed. So, there's the good news - and I'll take it.
That said, the whole experience has left a sour taste in my mouth. Even after all of this (and after having to escalate after first being told "no"), there was no apology for it occurring, clarification of the actual cancellation policy, or an explanation of why it happened.
So while I ultimately got the cancellation fee waived, I still don't know how to prevent this happening in the future (short of always calling the hotel rather than reservations and making sure I have a call recorder on in compliance with whatever local laws there are...
).
That said, the whole experience has left a sour taste in my mouth. Even after all of this (and after having to escalate after first being told "no"), there was no apology for it occurring, clarification of the actual cancellation policy, or an explanation of why it happened.
So while I ultimately got the cancellation fee waived, I still don't know how to prevent this happening in the future (short of always calling the hotel rather than reservations and making sure I have a call recorder on in compliance with whatever local laws there are...
).
Apr 18, 2019, 11:01 am
#95
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Different cancellation policy rules agreed upon between the property and the OTA. Having said that if OTAs can do it, why not MR?
Apr 18, 2019, 11:04 am
#96
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Apr 18, 2019, 11:18 am
#97
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Then the BRG team knows and can verify the exact cancellation time. What did they say it should be for reservations made on the Starriott website? One minute before midnight the previous day, one minute before midnight on the date given, check in time, noon, 4 pm, 6 pm, etc.? And what time was the deadline for the OLTA?
Apr 18, 2019, 11:28 am
#98
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Then the BRG team knows and can verify the exact cancellation time. What did they say it should be for reservations made on the Starriott website? One minute before midnight the previous day, one minute before midnight on the date given, check in time, noon, 4 pm, 6 pm, etc.? And what time was the deadline for the OLTA?
Apr 18, 2019, 12:37 pm
#99
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NYC - upper West Side
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......So while I ultimately got the cancellation fee waived, I still don't know how to prevent this happening in the future (short of always calling the hotel rather than reservations and making sure I have a call recorder on in compliance with whatever local laws there are...
).You stated in your original post AND the title of this thread that it is time for you to move on. YOUR WORDS.
If you are moving on, why are you worried about preventing this from happening in the future?
Newman
Apr 18, 2019, 3:58 pm
#101
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One minute before midnight removes any doubt as to which date it refers to. If it said Midnight, some people might conclude it was one day and some might conclude it was the next day. 23:59 leaves no doubt. There should never be a 'midnight'
Apr 18, 2019, 5:53 pm
#103
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Amtrak avoids midnight train times for this very reason, and I think airlines do the same.
Apr 18, 2019, 7:35 pm
#104
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Apr 18, 2019, 9:32 pm
#105
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I understand why they don't say midnight, but my question was why the other OLTA shows a cancellation deadline approximately 18 hours a later, at 6 pm the next day.