Mandatory $10 Daily Facilities Charge - Starts 1/1/13 at Le Parker Meridien NYC
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,097
The Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005/29/EC which came into force on 27 December 2007, has introduced important provisions on how pre-contractual information shall be provided to consumers. Price is one of the key parts to which the concept of misleading information, produced either by the information provided or by the omission of the necessary information, would apply. Obligations regarding the final "all inclusive" price information are also clearly stated in the Directive.
The new Regulation on Air Services (EC) No 1008/2008 entered into force on 1st November 2008. The Air Service Regulation provides clear rules on the obligations for the travel industry to provide an "all-inclusive" final price at the beginning of the booking process, a breakdown of the final "all inclusive" price which is to include the fare or rate, the taxes, the airport charges and other charges and a clear distinction between unavoidable and optional charges. The Regulation also prescribes how this information must be presented to consumers: for instance, optional charges must be offered in an "opt-in basis".
These rules apply to fares and rates published on the Internet. Airlines and tour operators selling airline tickets for air services departing from an EU airport are under the obligation to comply with these provisions since 1st November 2008.
Last edited by hillrider; Dec 7, 2012 at 12:13 pm
#32
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
Cheers,
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA - 1K 1MM; Hyatt - Explorist; Marriott - Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,586
#34
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BKK
Programs: World of Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy LTP; IHG Plat
Posts: 2,224
This hotel has already disappeared from my place-to-stay-in-nyc list.
Sucks!
Sucks!
#35
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,134
I once forgot to print my tickets for a Broadway play. I used the downstairs facility. It cost me around $7 to the use the internet for 15 seconds (to login to GMail and print the tickets) and around $8 to print the tickets (on one page). This hotel has always been about gouging money from their guests.
#36
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,990
Cheers,
#37
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chicago Area
Posts: 369
Just noticed this $10 facility fee at the Westin Chicago Northwest, so apparently it is spreading.
#38
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,454
#39
Company Representative - Le Parker Meridien
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NY
Programs: Le Parker Meridien
Posts: 38
no boogers here
They should be subject to the Alternative Amenity program since the fee includes the internet (this program appears to be a grab to get cash from everyone who doesn't sign up for internet).
Since I know this hotel well, I should say for the record that the Alternative Amenity *does not* include flicking a booger at the customer across the front desk while sneering menacingly. Sorry to disappoint the staff of the LPMNYC.
Since I know this hotel well, I should say for the record that the Alternative Amenity *does not* include flicking a booger at the customer across the front desk while sneering menacingly. Sorry to disappoint the staff of the LPMNYC.
Have a good One!
Lisa Tharp
Director of Guest Relations
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,758
And which have been deemed deceptive in Europe and are no longer a practice (you did say "unavoidable fees").
The Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005/29/EC which came into force on 27 December 2007, has introduced important provisions on how pre-contractual information shall be provided to consumers. Price is one of the key parts to which the concept of misleading information, produced either by the information provided or by the omission of the necessary information, would apply. Obligations regarding the final "all inclusive" price information are also clearly stated in the Directive.
The new Regulation on Air Services (EC) No 1008/2008 entered into force on 1st November 2008. The Air Service Regulation provides clear rules on the obligations for the travel industry to provide an "all-inclusive" final price at the beginning of the booking process, a breakdown of the final "all inclusive" price which is to include the fare or rate, the taxes, the airport charges and other charges and a clear distinction between unavoidable and optional charges. The Regulation also prescribes how this information must be presented to consumers: for instance, optional charges must be offered in an "opt-in basis".
These rules apply to fares and rates published on the Internet. Airlines and tour operators selling airline tickets for air services departing from an EU airport are under the obligation to comply with these provisions since 1st November 2008.
The Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005/29/EC which came into force on 27 December 2007, has introduced important provisions on how pre-contractual information shall be provided to consumers. Price is one of the key parts to which the concept of misleading information, produced either by the information provided or by the omission of the necessary information, would apply. Obligations regarding the final "all inclusive" price information are also clearly stated in the Directive.
The new Regulation on Air Services (EC) No 1008/2008 entered into force on 1st November 2008. The Air Service Regulation provides clear rules on the obligations for the travel industry to provide an "all-inclusive" final price at the beginning of the booking process, a breakdown of the final "all inclusive" price which is to include the fare or rate, the taxes, the airport charges and other charges and a clear distinction between unavoidable and optional charges. The Regulation also prescribes how this information must be presented to consumers: for instance, optional charges must be offered in an "opt-in basis".
These rules apply to fares and rates published on the Internet. Airlines and tour operators selling airline tickets for air services departing from an EU airport are under the obligation to comply with these provisions since 1st November 2008.
There are also other fees which are avoidable in theory but less so in practice (e.g. baggage fees etc.). There are plenty of ways in which the good (and the not so good) LCC's gouge their customers and this seems to be an interesting model (academically rather than one I would like to experience as a customer) for a hotel.
Some further thoughts for the LPM:-
Easyhotel have been exploring the potential to charge for things which typically are bundled into the nightly rate. For example rooms which have a window come at a premium and whilst all rooms at Easyhotel have a TV if you actually want to use it that comes at an additional charge too.
#41
Company Representative - Le Parker Meridien
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NY
Programs: Le Parker Meridien
Posts: 38
printing
I once forgot to print my tickets for a Broadway play. I used the downstairs facility. It cost me around $7 to the use the internet for 15 seconds (to login to GMail and print the tickets) and around $8 to print the tickets (on one page). This hotel has always been about gouging money from their guests.
Have a good one!
Lisa Tharp
Director of Guest Relations
#42
Moderator: GLBT travelers, India-based Airlines and India; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Asia
Programs: Yes!
Posts: 15,512
We look forward to your updates on inclusions, fee rationale, and how you plan to tweak this for Platinum guests etc.
#43
Company Representative - Le Parker Meridien
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NY
Programs: Le Parker Meridien
Posts: 38
"Wringing" in the New Year
Hello FT!
Questions about the new facility fee? Good, discussion is very helpful. 1st... Change can be scary, but I promise this won't hurt! 2nd... The facility has been announced, so will the PLATINUM benefit changes- give us a chance. If you don't think the good out weighs the fee- we understand you/we may part ways. I don't think it will come to that. 3rd... we get a bum wrap in general but THIS CHANGE IS SPECIFICALLY INTENDED TO HELP GUESTS PAY LESS. No dark agenda. We're not trying to hide a fee, we are opening our hotel more fully to our guests ( and actively posting the information IN ADVANCE) We're still figuring out the extent of it. Fees also potentially going away: Fridge, microwave, kettle, rollaway, the options are endless. Keeping with the season: Think of us as Santa... what do you want in your (hotel) stocking.
More to come.
Have a good one!
Lisa Tharp
Director of Guest Relations
Questions about the new facility fee? Good, discussion is very helpful. 1st... Change can be scary, but I promise this won't hurt! 2nd... The facility has been announced, so will the PLATINUM benefit changes- give us a chance. If you don't think the good out weighs the fee- we understand you/we may part ways. I don't think it will come to that. 3rd... we get a bum wrap in general but THIS CHANGE IS SPECIFICALLY INTENDED TO HELP GUESTS PAY LESS. No dark agenda. We're not trying to hide a fee, we are opening our hotel more fully to our guests ( and actively posting the information IN ADVANCE) We're still figuring out the extent of it. Fees also potentially going away: Fridge, microwave, kettle, rollaway, the options are endless. Keeping with the season: Think of us as Santa... what do you want in your (hotel) stocking.
More to come.
Have a good one!
Lisa Tharp
Director of Guest Relations
#44
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
Hello FT!
Questions about the new facility fee? Good, discussion is very helpful. 1st... Change can be scary, but I promise this won't hurt! 2nd... The facility has been announced, so will the PLATINUM benefit changes- give us a chance. If you don't think the good out weighs the fee- we understand you/we may part ways. I don't think it will come to that. 3rd... we get a bum wrap in general but THIS CHANGE IS SPECIFICALLY INTENDED TO HELP GUESTS PAY LESS. No dark agenda. We're not trying to hide a fee, we are opening our hotel more fully to our guests ( and actively posting the information IN ADVANCE) We're still figuring out the extent of it. Fees also potentially going away: Fridge, microwave, kettle, rollaway, the options are endless. Keeping with the season: Think of us as Santa... what do you want in your (hotel) stocking.
More to come.
Have a good one!
Lisa Tharp
Director of Guest Relations
Questions about the new facility fee? Good, discussion is very helpful. 1st... Change can be scary, but I promise this won't hurt! 2nd... The facility has been announced, so will the PLATINUM benefit changes- give us a chance. If you don't think the good out weighs the fee- we understand you/we may part ways. I don't think it will come to that. 3rd... we get a bum wrap in general but THIS CHANGE IS SPECIFICALLY INTENDED TO HELP GUESTS PAY LESS. No dark agenda. We're not trying to hide a fee, we are opening our hotel more fully to our guests ( and actively posting the information IN ADVANCE) We're still figuring out the extent of it. Fees also potentially going away: Fridge, microwave, kettle, rollaway, the options are endless. Keeping with the season: Think of us as Santa... what do you want in your (hotel) stocking.
More to come.
Have a good one!
Lisa Tharp
Director of Guest Relations
Just so there isn't any confusion, and to help everyone understand. Could you be so kind as to list the items included in the Facility Charge and a list of benefits Platinum Elite Members will be entitled?
#45
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Hello FT!
Questions about the new facility fee? Good, discussion is very helpful. 1st... Change can be scary, but I promise this won't hurt! 2nd... The facility has been announced, so will the PLATINUM benefit changes- give us a chance. If you don't think the good out weighs the fee- we understand you/we may part ways. I don't think it will come to that. 3rd... we get a bum wrap in general but THIS CHANGE IS SPECIFICALLY INTENDED TO HELP GUESTS PAY LESS. No dark agenda. We're not trying to hide a fee, we are opening our hotel more fully to our guests ( and actively posting the information IN ADVANCE) We're still figuring out the extent of it. Fees also potentially going away: Fridge, microwave, kettle, rollaway, the options are endless. Keeping with the season: Think of us as Santa... what do you want in your (hotel) stocking.
More to come.
Have a good one!
Lisa Tharp
Director of Guest Relations
Questions about the new facility fee? Good, discussion is very helpful. 1st... Change can be scary, but I promise this won't hurt! 2nd... The facility has been announced, so will the PLATINUM benefit changes- give us a chance. If you don't think the good out weighs the fee- we understand you/we may part ways. I don't think it will come to that. 3rd... we get a bum wrap in general but THIS CHANGE IS SPECIFICALLY INTENDED TO HELP GUESTS PAY LESS. No dark agenda. We're not trying to hide a fee, we are opening our hotel more fully to our guests ( and actively posting the information IN ADVANCE) We're still figuring out the extent of it. Fees also potentially going away: Fridge, microwave, kettle, rollaway, the options are endless. Keeping with the season: Think of us as Santa... what do you want in your (hotel) stocking.
More to come.
Have a good one!
Lisa Tharp
Director of Guest Relations