What if website error, rate code that previously expired?
 

While researching legit codes, I came across one that I'm told on the phone was from last year. There is a code in REWARDS OFFERS for one set of hotels, but others are coming up too. The code is pulling up on the website as bookable. I fall within the parameters of the rate rules for this code. The offers page has one set of rules, but the old code at a different hotel has different rules, and I qualify for all the rules.

If I were to book this (really great price), and try to check in but they tell me it's expired and a website error...do I have any rights...aside from the fact I knew ahead of time and was told it was expired?

Who told you it was an error? How did this come up? Did you identify yourself, so that someone could prove that you were told this? Does the code itself show that it's expired?

Before people jump on me, I'm not trying do anything dishonest, but my attitude, and I think the law supports this, is that if it's on the website and not obviously old (like past a stated expiration date), it's bookable. Marriott is responsible for what's posted, not you, and I don't know if you even have an obligation to check. You have no way of knowing whether what you were told on the phone is accurate and the website is wrong, or the person who told you is just misinformed and the website is correct.

The two exceptions I could see are that 1) the website says something so absurdly cheap that you should not believe it, like well over 50% cheaper than any other available rate (I just got a 30% AAA discount at the Maui Kaanapali resort during what ended up as a sold out week, so it would have to be cheaper than that), or 2) after you book, someone contacts you and says it was a mistake and they won't honor it, if they're allowed to do that.

I think I would at least book it, and then try to sort it out before you show up. If you really want to go, maybe book another rate as well to be safe, and cancel one when you figure it out.

I called the hotel directly to ask what "proof" they would need to qualify for the rate, as I know I qualify. She looked up the rate and asked "someone" and told me on the phone it was from last year. It jogged my memory and I vaguely remembered the promo from last year.

So if I book, I know ahead of time (consciously and morally) it's an expired code.

I do have other locations booked just in case. It's not the best hotel in the area, but it's a dirt cheap price! Yes, far less than 50%.

I haven't broken rules and ethics before, but I do believe it's up to the hotel to double check things. Not that I have, but for instance, if you have a bonus buck which clearly states 2 night stay, but you book and only stay one and they accept the bonus buck and you never hear about it - isn't it the hotels wrong and not yours?

the legal theory applied is commonly called "reasonable man theory"...given that you were informed the rate was a mistake before you booked it they would not have to honor it - however I'd imagine in most cases it would be honored....to be more specific I'd need to know specifics however I'm guessing you'd rather not be more specific

Right, the moral quandary is that I know it is an expired code.

However, the everyday man doesn't. How many of us would call in to double check the validity of a code that you didn't know would pull up a diff promo with a fantastic rate.

I fall in the if it's bookable on the website it's bookable camp. It's not my job to do Marriott's IT work for them.

But I'd sure as heck get a screenshot/printout of the details of the stay showing it was a valid booking.

A few years back I needed to book a ressie for Vegas for a trade show. The rates for the trade show are normally high. When I went to book it I found the rates cheap (or back to reasonable given every hotel jacks up their rates during this show), did a double-take, read the rate rules. I was in the clear. My 'guess' is that Marriott IT meant that promo to be for a few months prior when biz is slow in Vegas. But, but, but - they didn't put the end of that month in when they posted the promo. So my theory was - not my problem they didn't do their job. The hotel didn't even blink btw when I checked in. Might be because it was their normal rate so not out of the norm for them, not a zero rate. But def dif (by $169) than the jacked up rate.

Now if it said in the midst of the printout, rate expired, one would certainly have less legitimate ground to stand on. But if it doesn't, then it's Marriott's problem IMO.

FWIW - re: the quandry, here's a note - don't keep calling back or they will flag the ressie.

And the other part is you have to do a toss-up. Yeah you know, but Joe/Jane Average wouldn't.

The other part is I go w/ what the hotel offers say, not the Marriott offers page. The reason for that is hotels run local promotion rates, etc, all the time.

Cheers.

I always use them ... not my problem if Marriott keeps offering them. As a matter of fact some managers decide to extend promos if occupancy is low.
I would never call a hotel to ask about such rate codes.