A First For Me -- LNF Rate Denied B/C Different Cancel Policies
Jun 9, 2011, 5:21 pm
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,720
A First For Me -- LNF Rate Denied B/C Different Cancel Policies
Today, I have received a denial of a LNF rate for the Courtyard Toronto Downtown B/C the Priceline Rate was an Advance Purchase Rate and the Marriott.com rate was a BAR and higher.
I never have had a claim denied on this basis before -- and I assume that most of you have not, either based on the length of the LNF thread and my knowledge of rates that have been submitted to be matched.
Have any of you encountered this recently, or ever?
I regularly have had Marriott.com match and discount A/P rates from another site even if their rate did not have such a requirement.
I have asked them to reconsider and am awaiting their reply.
Comments?
Just received their reply -- they are adamant, and so am I -- I canceled the reservation.
So, forewarned is forearmed.
I never have had a claim denied on this basis before -- and I assume that most of you have not, either based on the length of the LNF thread and my knowledge of rates that have been submitted to be matched.
Have any of you encountered this recently, or ever?
I regularly have had Marriott.com match and discount A/P rates from another site even if their rate did not have such a requirement.
I have asked them to reconsider and am awaiting their reply.
Comments?
Just received their reply -- they are adamant, and so am I -- I canceled the reservation.
So, forewarned is forearmed.
Last edited by NJUPINTHEAIR; Jun 9, 2011 at 5:54 pm
Jun 9, 2011, 6:51 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: New Hampshire
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Gold, Everything else: Dirt
Posts: 802
Did Marriott have the advance purchase rate posted, too? If not, this would be a huge loss. I have seen numerous times where Priceline, Expedia, etc have a non-refundable rate but Marriott only shows the regular rate. I have gotten several claims approved on this basis, despite the non-refundable nature of the advance purchase rate.
For example, I just had the Ren Washington DC Downtown approved two days ago...the lowest rate Marriott was showing was $319 or $329 (cant remember exactly), but all the other sites had an advance purchase rate of $129. The claim went through.
This would be a horrible decision on Marriott's part. If we book the non-refundable rate through Expedia or Priceline, we won't get points/nights. Marriott also has to pay a commission. My guess is, though, most will just not book at all, resulting in total revenue loss.
If Marriott starts being nitpicky like Hilton, the guarantee is worthless, and half my stays with this hotel are over.
For example, I just had the Ren Washington DC Downtown approved two days ago...the lowest rate Marriott was showing was $319 or $329 (cant remember exactly), but all the other sites had an advance purchase rate of $129. The claim went through.
This would be a horrible decision on Marriott's part. If we book the non-refundable rate through Expedia or Priceline, we won't get points/nights. Marriott also has to pay a commission. My guess is, though, most will just not book at all, resulting in total revenue loss.
If Marriott starts being nitpicky like Hilton, the guarantee is worthless, and half my stays with this hotel are over.
Jun 9, 2011, 7:43 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,437
I have been denied on that same reason before as well...
Did Marriott have the advance purchase rate posted, too? If not, this would be a huge loss. I have seen numerous times where Priceline, Expedia, etc have a non-refundable rate but Marriott only shows the regular rate. I have gotten several claims approved on this basis, despite the non-refundable nature of the advance purchase rate.
For example, I just had the Ren Washington DC Downtown approved two days ago...the lowest rate Marriott was showing was $319 or $329 (cant remember exactly), but all the other sites had an advance purchase rate of $129. The claim went through.
This would be a horrible decision on Marriott's part. If we book the non-refundable rate through Expedia or Priceline, we won't get points/nights. Marriott also has to pay a commission. My guess is, though, most will just not book at all, resulting in total revenue loss.
If Marriott starts being nitpicky like Hilton, the guarantee is worthless, and half my stays with this hotel are over.
For example, I just had the Ren Washington DC Downtown approved two days ago...the lowest rate Marriott was showing was $319 or $329 (cant remember exactly), but all the other sites had an advance purchase rate of $129. The claim went through.
This would be a horrible decision on Marriott's part. If we book the non-refundable rate through Expedia or Priceline, we won't get points/nights. Marriott also has to pay a commission. My guess is, though, most will just not book at all, resulting in total revenue loss.
If Marriott starts being nitpicky like Hilton, the guarantee is worthless, and half my stays with this hotel are over.
Jun 9, 2011, 8:43 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA ExP, Hyatt Diamond, MR Platinum, PC Platinum, SPG Platinum, HH Gold
Posts: 498
I am starting to think LNF is becoming bogus. I had a case recently where I booked a room, saw another site offer the same hotel for a lot less. My reservation was King bed (I am Platinum, auto set up that way) and the other site showed two beds in room. The rate btw at marriott.com was the same, Kind or 2 beds. My claim was denied. I simply cancelled and stayed at the Hyatt. Much nicer and a lower price.
Jun 9, 2011, 9:15 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: Delta, NW Air, Continental, Marriott, Amex
Posts: 119
It has gotten ridiculous. I have had 2 claims denied because when they checked the websites 24 hours after I did, the rates "were no longer available"...However I had printed out the actual pages and took screen shots as proof and they absolutely would not budge and even got a bit rude after I had sent the proof, they emailed me that this would be the last communication regarding the issue. I too have switched chains.
Jun 10, 2011, 4:49 am
#6
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,720
Did Marriott have the advance purchase rate posted, too? If not, this would be a huge loss. I have seen numerous times where Priceline, Expedia, etc have a non-refundable rate but Marriott only shows the regular rate. I have gotten several claims approved on this basis, despite the non-refundable nature of the advance purchase rate.
For example, I just had the Ren Washington DC Downtown approved two days ago...the lowest rate Marriott was showing was $319 or $329 (cant remember exactly), but all the other sites had an advance purchase rate of $129. The claim went through.
For example, I just had the Ren Washington DC Downtown approved two days ago...the lowest rate Marriott was showing was $319 or $329 (cant remember exactly), but all the other sites had an advance purchase rate of $129. The claim went through.
Furthermore, your exact scenario I booked not a couple of days before and was approved.
The upside for me, however, was that I went back to the drawing board, and the Renaissance Toronto Skydome became available on a AAA rate for the exact same price as the AAA rate of the Toronto downtown Courtyard with buffet breakfast - $129 Cdn.
As I am Gold, went for the Renaissance, so all's well that end's well -- this time.
Jun 10, 2011, 6:19 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NC
Programs: IHG PC - Plat, HHonors - Gold, Marriott - Plat
Posts: 328
Sadly, yes, Marriott only had a regular rate and Priceline had a non-refundable rate.
Furthermore, your exact scenario I booked not a couple of days before and was approved.
The upside for me, however, was that I went back to the drawing board, and the Renaissance Toronto Skydome became available on a AAA rate for the exact same price as the AAA rate of the Toronto downtown Courtyard with buffet breakfast - $129 Cdn.
As I am Gold, went for the Renaissance, so all's well that end's well -- this time.
Furthermore, your exact scenario I booked not a couple of days before and was approved.
The upside for me, however, was that I went back to the drawing board, and the Renaissance Toronto Skydome became available on a AAA rate for the exact same price as the AAA rate of the Toronto downtown Courtyard with buffet breakfast - $129 Cdn.
As I am Gold, went for the Renaissance, so all's well that end's well -- this time.
Jun 10, 2011, 7:19 am
#8
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,720
You may try resubmitting a LNF claim. I have had a claim denied and then resubmitted it because i thought i was correct and the second time a different individual reviewed the claim and approved it. i did not make any special note just submitted it like it was a first claim.
Jun 10, 2011, 1:52 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,074
I have tried LNF quite a few times and I do see some randomless in it. In April I filed a LNF claim using site 'x' and I got through, then in June I used the same site to file a LNF claim and it was denied. Then I filed another one using their BAR rate including breakfast and they denied it - I complained and quoted LNF's T&C then I got through.
About advance purchase rate, sometimes you need try to put in adv or adp to see if Marriott have the same rate. I got a denial due to that reason too and another FTer told me that there was actually an AP rate which was not displayed when I was reserving the room.
About advance purchase rate, sometimes you need try to put in adv or adp to see if Marriott have the same rate. I got a denial due to that reason too and another FTer told me that there was actually an AP rate which was not displayed when I was reserving the room.
Jun 10, 2011, 2:49 pm
#10
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,720
I have tried LNF quite a few times and I do see some randomless in it. In April I filed a LNF claim using site 'x' and I got through, then in June I used the same site to file a LNF claim and it was denied. Then I filed another one using their BAR rate including breakfast and they denied it - I complained and quoted LNF's T&C then I got through.
About advance purchase rate, sometimes you need try to put in adv or adp to see if Marriott have the same rate. I got a denial due to that reason too and another FTer told me that there was actually an AP rate which was not displayed when I was reserving the room.
About advance purchase rate, sometimes you need try to put in adv or adp to see if Marriott have the same rate. I got a denial due to that reason too and another FTer told me that there was actually an AP rate which was not displayed when I was reserving the room.
Oh, there was an ADP rate listed -- it was the same as the BAR rate and I certainly was not going to book the ADP rate when the same rate was a BAR.
They rejected it anyway saying that I was comparing a non-refundable with a refundable that I had booked.
Jun 11, 2011, 10:31 am
#11
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Wembley, Middx, England
Programs: BA Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 775
It does seem to be getting much, much tougher. And rather than taking a couple of hourse to get back to you, my average seems to be about a day at the moment.
Jun 11, 2011, 11:48 am
#12
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 76
I agree, LNF is pretty random, and they are looking for any ridiculous reason to deny. Yesterday I submitted two identical claims for two identical rooms at the same hotel on the same night (our family uses two rooms when we stay, so we book one under my husband's MR account and one under mine) using the very same link to the comparison rate. His claim was approved and mine was denied within 15 minutes of each other.
The ridiculous reason they gave for the denial was that the hotels.com comparison rate included a "vip dining card" and was therefore a package. I immediately responded and pointed out that this card is simply a worthless promo coupon that hotels.com includes with any reservation made at any hotel in this city, and that it was in no way part of a room package. It took some back and forth, but eventually they figured it out and honored their guarantee. As often as not, I find the LNF results in a lot of work and frustration, but sometimes persistence pays.
The ridiculous reason they gave for the denial was that the hotels.com comparison rate included a "vip dining card" and was therefore a package. I immediately responded and pointed out that this card is simply a worthless promo coupon that hotels.com includes with any reservation made at any hotel in this city, and that it was in no way part of a room package. It took some back and forth, but eventually they figured it out and honored their guarantee. As often as not, I find the LNF results in a lot of work and frustration, but sometimes persistence pays.
Jun 11, 2011, 6:05 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: MIAmi
Programs: US air -chairman, SPG-Plat, Hyatt - Dmnd, Hilton -Dmnd, Hertz - five star
Posts: 346
I had no problem matching the nonrefundable rate when marriott only had BAR. submitted couple requests and got approved.
my advise - cancel, rebook, resubmit.
my advise - cancel, rebook, resubmit.
Jun 13, 2011, 7:25 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Wembley, Middx, England
Programs: BA Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 775
I think my current record is 12 attempts at LNF for one property -- I got there in the end.