+1

It's not the first time I see this kind of 'non-refundable, prepaid in full' rate types. However if you read further some said, 'non-refundable, prepaid in full, if cancelled within 1 day(s)'.

I always follow the exact rate rules and I'm not worried about it because the rate rule will be in my reservation. If there is a dispute I can pull my reservation and tell them that I could cancel my ressie within 24 hours.

It's not wise to depend upon their copy of your reservation. There have been many reports of the online reservation being changed after the fact. I always save my email reservations until after the stay has posted and many times will carry a printed copy with me at check-in.

Also, if the terms conflict, it's not surprising the property will claim the more restrictive to apply. Just like we want the less restrictive terms. I still believe if there's doubt the guest should win.

To be honest I did find that your initial response seemed a bit condescending. However, I also understand that "tone of voice" doesn't come across well in the printed word on an internet forum so I was content to leave it alone in my initial response. Plus I've also been guilty of coming across a bit harshly on FT before so no need to throw stones on anyone's part


CJ thanks for the test booking and call. It confirms what I believe is their intent WRT reservations for football weekends, and this is in line with what hotels in that area routinely do. However, the language in the rate rules is still contradictory so I agree there may be wiggle room...


Socrates and Astro this is in line with the approach I'm taking.

I agree.

In the end I made the reservation on line and paid the full amount up front. I took screen shots of the booking page and the rate rules with the contradictory language. I did not call the hotel as I assume I would have received the same answer as CJ above and that answer would still conflict with the rate rules published on Marriott's website.

It's very, very unlikely that I'll need to cancel the reservation. Barring some major unforeseen event I'll make the trip. I've already secured tickets to the game and my GF's son goes to PSU so this one is pretty much a lock.

Oh I'm not guessing - the 30 days before arrival is coming from the cxl policy in the system, the "non-refundable" comment is not coming from the cxl policy but from the rate name & details fields and could just as easily say they'll make the guest the king of Penn for the day....it's unfortunate the hotel made it confusing but the cxl policy will prevail over the rate name & details (attribute fields is what's it's technically called)

It's still a bit confusing...

In the cancellation policy portion of the online reservation details it states:
So even within the cancellation policy presented online there is conflicting information. Is the online policy different than what is "in the system"?

here is the cxl policy - the reservation becomes non-refundable after you've reached 30 days before arrival, the deposit for full room and tax is due 24 hours after booking and refundable until that time....the system will allow you to cxl without an issue up until 30 days before arrival

Advance Purchase rate
Full room & tax payment due
- 1 days after booking
Credit card deposit only
Non-refundable rate
Cancellation permitted
up to 30days before arrival
Commissionable rate

Thanks for the info but it still seems contradictory:

"Non-refundable rate"

Versus

"Cancellation permitted up to 30days before arrival"

So I can cancel up to T-30d but my prepay/deposit is nonrefundable?

of course you could have just called the hotel, asked to speak w the rate mgr and had them confirm in writing their CXL T&Cs for this 2-night reservation to clarify your alleged confusion..........

These contradictory rules seem confusing enough that even hotel staff might have a problem with them. Personally, I would just wait and see if I need to cancel. If it's more than 30 days out, I would cite the wording that helps me, and let them either honor it or contest it. If they contest it, I'm sure that a call to reservations pointing out the hopelessly confusing wording would result in a ruling in the customer's favor. Just my 2 cents.

Bruce

Yes - you can cxl up to Arrival + 30 but you must pay for the reservation in full within 24 hours of booking (now that might not be what the hotel is trying to do BUT that is what the hotel has set the system to do)....I do agree the system is confusing (even to setup it up) and have said so repeatedly over the decades but there's more important things for them to fix

Perhaps I was wrong in letting you off the hook upthread

Perfectly clear.

(1) You pay upfront in full.
(2) There is no cancelation charge 30 days out additional to the rate you paid and
(3) the prepayment is non-refundable

Yes, it looks ambiguous at first. But they're simply telling you that more than 30 days out there is no charge to cancel — some hotels charge cancelation fees — but you won't get your money back if you do.

The ambiguous bit is the implication that there is therefore an additional charge (not specified) if you cancel within 30 days of the stay.

I wouldn't touch this hotel with a bargepole — find somewhere else. $249 a night is ridiculous to be surrounded by rowdy football fans for two nights.

each time an explanation of the T&Cs is offered by others you post back of still being confused, but for some unknown reason are relectant to obtain an explanation from the source (the prop in question) that will enforce the CXL policy it wrote by contacting them directly.........typical, why get the answer directly from the source!!!!!!!!!

sorry but you are not correct, the prepayment is refundable up until the A+30 mark