Advance purchase rates
Apr 6, 2008 | 3:01 pm
#1
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,034
Advance purchase rates
Over the last couple of months, I've noticed that the advance purchase rates haven't been charged to my card in advance, and they are being billed upon my departure. I have an upcoming stay with one of those rates, made the reservation a few weeks ago (the stay is in two weeks from this writing), and I have not been charged (and I just checked...the reservation is still there).
Come to think of it, it's happened a couple of times earlier this year too.
But, I became Gold in January. Is the fully paid in advance thing on those specifically advertised rates waived for Gold (and Platinum) members?
Come to think of it, it's happened a couple of times earlier this year too.
But, I became Gold in January. Is the fully paid in advance thing on those specifically advertised rates waived for Gold (and Platinum) members?
Apr 6, 2008 | 3:28 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NC
Programs: Marriott LT Plat, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 2,881
Are you booking advance rates, or advance prepaid rates? Sometimes it is not readily apparent when making the res - if you read closely, the first states (something along the lines of "XXX day advance rate". You will then need to look at the cancellation policy - but generally, there is one. The second reads "XXX advance rate, no changes, no refunds etc etc). If you look at the cancellation policy, you will find there isn't one - somewhere in there it will mention the no change, no cancel, no refund stuff again.
My thought is you were booking the first (but thought that) you were booking the 2nd.
My thought is you were booking the first (but thought that) you were booking the 2nd.
Apr 6, 2008 | 4:42 pm
#3
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,034
In the case of the stay in a couple of weeks, it says....
"Advance purchase rate * Up to 21 days in adv * non refundable *Excl Bkfst * Max 2 Adults per room."
Additional text later in the reservation confirmation....
"Please note that your prepayment for this special rate is non-refundable."
I just checked my card statement....still no charges for this.
"Advance purchase rate * Up to 21 days in adv * non refundable *Excl Bkfst * Max 2 Adults per room."
Additional text later in the reservation confirmation....
"Please note that your prepayment for this special rate is non-refundable."
I just checked my card statement....still no charges for this.
Apr 6, 2008 | 6:11 pm
#4
Used to be bulldoggolfer05
Join Date: May 2007
Location: So Paulo, BR/Miami Beach, FL/NYC/DXB
Programs: HGP DMD, HHonors DMD, SPG PLT, MR PLT
Posts: 2,295
I think it probably depends on the property and how strict they want to be with this. I had several advance reservations booked at the Houston Hobby Airport Marriott and due to a problem with the card on file in my profile, they could not receive funds for the reservations, and therefore cancelled all of my reservations and sent me a rather rude email requesting that I not book advanced reservations with them anymore.
Sep 14, 2010 | 12:44 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/2MM, DL DM/2MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond,IHG Diamond, Hyatt Globalist,Marriott Titanium
Posts: 13,243
My advance purchase rates do not post to my Marriott Rewards account and do not show on the folio upon checking out. I had a very rude agent today (five-letter name beginning with I####) be almost belligerent in telling me it wasnt his problem that it wasnt showing on the folio and no points could be awarded.
Despite my telling him it was booked through marriott.com (THEIR system), he said he sees that but needs a folio printout. So no points. As if I have the time to chase down hotel accounting people in a foreign country. What a joke of Gold Elite assistance!
Despite my telling him it was booked through marriott.com (THEIR system), he said he sees that but needs a folio printout. So no points. As if I have the time to chase down hotel accounting people in a foreign country. What a joke of Gold Elite assistance!
Sep 14, 2010 | 12:59 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,600
I've frequently had advance purchase rates not actually clear until check-out, in fact it seems more often than having them charge immediately. Never had a problem with them posting nights/points like any other rate.
Sep 14, 2010 | 9:15 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Greener Pastures
Posts: 10,515
In my experience, most hotels (not just Marriott, but Hilton, IC, and SPG too) don't charge your card until checkout - however, if you attempt to cancel, you'll still be charged either way.
Some hotels charge at time of booking - SPG hotels are usually better about it than other brands, but most don't charge right away.
Some hotels charge at time of booking - SPG hotels are usually better about it than other brands, but most don't charge right away.
Sep 19, 2010 | 6:35 am
#8
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Naples FL, Munich DE
Programs: UA MM, AA 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,817
Stayed at the Marriott in Melbourne on an advance purchase rate. The rate terms said they'd charge the first night's stay 3 days before scheduled check-in. That's what they did. I paid the balance (for the rest of the nights) at check-out.
Points for all payments credited.
Points for all payments credited.
Sep 19, 2010 | 7:07 am
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 57,079
In my experience, most hotels (not just Marriott, but Hilton, IC, and SPG too) don't charge your card until checkout - however, if you attempt to cancel, you'll still be charged either way.
Some hotels charge at time of booking - SPG hotels are usually better about it than other brands, but most don't charge right away.
Some hotels charge at time of booking - SPG hotels are usually better about it than other brands, but most don't charge right away.
Doesn't this present some problems for hotels if guest should have their CC stolen or lost and is sent a replacement with a different number? How could they process charges against a cancelled CC?