There is a Quality Inn and a Comfort Inn right near each other (I get off the freeway and turn right or left) that I've been using for the Choice promos. I've been staying at these places for months now, and always at the same rate.

Last night, I checked into the Quality Inn, and the desk clerk said, "Well, I can get you a better rate", and she quoted me a rate $7 greater than what I had confirmed. I pointed out that I had a confirmation at a lower rate.

She told me, "These are our winter rates". Hmmm. The website continues to give me the same rate at least into December, and the directory mentions nothing about seasonal rates at this property.

Having nowhere else to go, I signed up, but in the morning, I complained to the manager. I was told there are new owners and things are changing, and they probably haven't notified Choice yet, and so on. All of which, I said, was very interesting, and it will surely affect my future stays, but don't they understand the concept of a contract? For that's what I consider a confirmation to be.

Do what you want with the rates, but you have to let people know ahead of time -- it's simply not acceptable to unilaterally change the rates on the day of arrival.

So, I sent an email off to Choice, and we'll see what happens, but unless this is worked out to my satisfaction, there are plenty of other hotels that would be happy to get my business, even if it costs a few bucks more.

You have a confirmation at rate X and the hotel wants to charge you Y? And even though X is still available on the web site they refuse to honor it because they must not "have told choice yet"?

Outrageous.

My guess is the new owners will get a pretty quick slap down soon enough.

rich

I've downloaded the complaint form from the state's Attorney General office. We'll see what takes place. If I don't get satisfactory answers, we'll let the state educate them on contract law.

Don't forget to contest this with your credit card company. @:-)

They actually charged you the higher rate?
Absolutely ridiculous.

Make sure to file a formal complaint with Choice CS (in Maryland, I think). They aren't the most dependable CS office, but it's better than nothing.
[Edit--I guess you did that via e-mail.]

I would try to figure out who owns the hotel (sometimes they are owned by holding companies with their own corporate offices), too.

Good luck. That's just unfathomable.