Cancelling a "stay longer and save"?? Language makes no sense
May 15, 2023, 4:52 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Doylestown, PA, USA
Programs: UA Platinum Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 549
Cancelling a "stay longer and save"?? Language makes no sense
Here's what it says...
Stay Longer and Save, 30 percent off Stay 3 and Save, prepay in full, non-refundable if cancelled less than 1 day before arrival, based upon availability
Additional Information
- Commissionable Rate
Holding Your Reservation
- To ensure that you receive this special rate, we will charge your credit card a prepayment of 653.56 USD on July 4, 2023. If the date presented is after the arrival date, the deposit will be due and processed upon arrival.
Cancelling Your Reservation
- You may cancel your reservation for no charge before 11:59 PM local hotel time on July 4, 2023 (1 day[s] before arrival).
- After this time, please note that your prepayment for this special rate is non-refundable.
Modifying Your Reservation
- Please note that a change in the length or dates of your reservation may result in a rate change.
- Your current rate may be available if your modified reservation still includes:
- A stay of 3 night(s) or more.
1) I have to prepay in full, but I can cancel for no charge?? That makes no sense... do they mean no ADDITIONAL charge??
2) non-refundable if cancelled less than 1 day before arrival, based upon availability... WHat does that even mean, availability of what??
3) Even though it says I have to prepay in Full, the date it says it will charge me is the date of the reservation... what's up with that?
Anyway... pretty weird language but a pretty good offer I think.
YTJK
May 15, 2023, 6:12 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,335
Typical awful Marriott nonsense on the website with zero regard for formatting.
-RM
Stay Longer and Save, 30 percent off Stay 3 and Save, prepay in full, non-refundable if cancelled less than 1 day before arrival, based upon availability
What that's saying is you're booking the "Stay Longer and Save" rate which is 30% off the regular rate. You need to "stay 3" (minimum nights) and save. The reservation is prepaid in full and will become fully non-refundable if cancelled less than 1 day before arrival (that's 11:59pm day before in hotel time). Meaning no charge up front but they will charge the entire booked stay at the 1 day mark if you haven't cancelled. "Based on availability" is utterly meaningless here and should never be displayed. The fact that the rate is appearing means it's available.-RM
May 15, 2023, 6:19 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,911
Typical awful Marriott nonsense on the website with zero regard for formatting.
-RM
Stay Longer and Save, 30 percent off Stay 3 and Save, prepay in full, non-refundable if cancelled less than 1 day before arrival, based upon availability
What that's saying is you're booking the "Stay Longer and Save" rate which is 30% off the regular rate. You need to "stay 3" (minimum nights) and save. The reservation is prepaid in full and will become fully non-refundable if cancelled less than 1 day before arrival (that's 11:59pm day before in hotel time). Meaning no charge up front but they will charge the entire booked stay at the 1 day mark if you haven't cancelled. "Based on availability" is utterly meaningless here and should never be displayed. The fact that the rate is appearing means it's available.-RM
I read the rate as they will charge you in full at the time of reservation (the “prepay in full” part) and you have until 1 day before arrival to cancel and get your prepaid amount back.
May 15, 2023, 7:08 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,416
I've seen similar language recently (and have booked one or two). I agree it's prepay at booking, and you can cancel for a full refund up to 1 day prior to arrival. I also agree it seems weird to mix "nonrefundable and prepay in full" with an otherwise very flexible 1 day cancel. When I've seen this type of language for a rate, it's basically been properties dumping inventory they don't think they're going to sell.
Bottom line, yes, it's weird, but would you rather they combine "nonrefundable and prepay in full" with a 14 or 30 day cancel? I'll take this one, thank you very much.
Bottom line, yes, it's weird, but would you rather they combine "nonrefundable and prepay in full" with a 14 or 30 day cancel? I'll take this one, thank you very much.
May 16, 2023, 5:56 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,071
Non-refundable and prepay are two different terms and they don't carry the same meaning. It's like booking through OTAs like Priceline, you pay at booking and it is refundable up to x days before check-in.
May 16, 2023, 7:57 am
#7
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
Also, the "based upon availability" is appended to the end of basically every discounted rate. Obviously if you're seeing it on the booking screen then it's available, but they're basically it won't be last-room available.
I'm with LovetoTravel83 and agree the language here is pretty clear.
I'm with LovetoTravel83 and agree the language here is pretty clear.