How to deal with prepaid rate drop
Aug 3, 2017, 5:41 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
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How to deal with prepaid rate drop
I made a reservation last night for this weekend at a StR in a resort locale at a prepaid rate. This morning, the rate dropped by $100 per night.
I called the plat line to see if I could get the rate changed. The first agent was in the process of doing it, but somehow the line dropped. I called back and got a new agent who said it couldn't be done but would be referred to the hotel. The hotel has responded with prepaid means prepaid, we're not changing it (albeit in a professional and polite manner).
Has anyone dealt with this? Ideas?
I called the plat line to see if I could get the rate changed. The first agent was in the process of doing it, but somehow the line dropped. I called back and got a new agent who said it couldn't be done but would be referred to the hotel. The hotel has responded with prepaid means prepaid, we're not changing it (albeit in a professional and polite manner).
Has anyone dealt with this? Ideas?
Aug 3, 2017, 5:54 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 3,360
While $100/night is rough, I think you're essentially out of luck here.
Aug 3, 2017, 6:12 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,324
I made a reservation last night for this weekend at a StR in a resort locale at a prepaid rate. This morning, the rate dropped by $100 per night.
I called the plat line to see if I could get the rate changed. The first agent was in the process of doing it, but somehow the line dropped. I called back and got a new agent who said it couldn't be done but would be referred to the hotel. The hotel has responded with prepaid means prepaid, we're not changing it (albeit in a professional and polite manner).
Has anyone dealt with this? Ideas?
I called the plat line to see if I could get the rate changed. The first agent was in the process of doing it, but somehow the line dropped. I called back and got a new agent who said it couldn't be done but would be referred to the hotel. The hotel has responded with prepaid means prepaid, we're not changing it (albeit in a professional and polite manner).
Has anyone dealt with this? Ideas?
Aug 3, 2017, 6:38 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
Since I started this thread, they have come back offering a significant suite upgrade which I've agreed to.
Still ... one would think that kind of change in a short period would normally be taken care of. I'm a long time Plat Premier on the Marriott side with an Ambassador and am virtually certain they would have fixed this issue. This is not a knock on the SPG side ... they have excellent service as well ... just a little surprised.
Aug 3, 2017, 9:26 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,324
Yes. I was a little surprised. The rate dropped $100 within 12 hours.
Since I started this thread, they have come back offering a significant suite upgrade which I've agreed to.
Still ... one would think that kind of change in a short period would normally be taken care of. I'm a long time Plat Premier on the Marriott side with an Ambassador and am virtually certain they would have fixed this issue. This is not a knock on the SPG side ... they have excellent service as well ... just a little surprised.
Since I started this thread, they have come back offering a significant suite upgrade which I've agreed to.
Still ... one would think that kind of change in a short period would normally be taken care of. I'm a long time Plat Premier on the Marriott side with an Ambassador and am virtually certain they would have fixed this issue. This is not a knock on the SPG side ... they have excellent service as well ... just a little surprised.
Aug 3, 2017, 9:42 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: NZ*G ELT, VA-G
Posts: 3,598
I had a couple of instances where I booked a prepay rate and discovered the rate dropped a few days later but my credit card hadn't been charged and I just changed the booking. In the end the lower rate was charged and no human intervention was needed.
Having said that, slightly a different scenario. In another instance, I booked a prepaid rate and cancelled it within 5 minutes. The credit card was still charged and the hotel initially refused to refund. Had to contact one of their managers and explained it was a genuine mistake and the fact that it was cancelled within 5 minutes and they finally agreed to refund.
So prepare to lose and it never hurts to ask nicely.
Having said that, slightly a different scenario. In another instance, I booked a prepaid rate and cancelled it within 5 minutes. The credit card was still charged and the hotel initially refused to refund. Had to contact one of their managers and explained it was a genuine mistake and the fact that it was cancelled within 5 minutes and they finally agreed to refund.
So prepare to lose and it never hurts to ask nicely.
Aug 4, 2017, 12:02 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 78
it's with in 24 hours, can't you find any other site with lower price for price match?
Aug 4, 2017, 2:28 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Bangkok
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, BAEC Silver, TK Miles & Smiles Elite
Posts: 2,210
I made a reservation last night for this weekend at a StR in a resort locale at a prepaid rate. This morning, the rate dropped by $100 per night.
I called the plat line to see if I could get the rate changed. The first agent was in the process of doing it, but somehow the line dropped. I called back and got a new agent who said it couldn't be done but would be referred to the hotel. The hotel has responded with prepaid means prepaid, we're not changing it (albeit in a professional and polite manner).
Has anyone dealt with this? Ideas?
I called the plat line to see if I could get the rate changed. The first agent was in the process of doing it, but somehow the line dropped. I called back and got a new agent who said it couldn't be done but would be referred to the hotel. The hotel has responded with prepaid means prepaid, we're not changing it (albeit in a professional and polite manner).
Has anyone dealt with this? Ideas?
Aug 4, 2017, 2:36 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: BA, AA, SQ, UA, AC, WS, MR TIT
Posts: 8,659
Aug 4, 2017, 8:54 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SIN
Programs: Marriott - Platinum/LTG | KF *G QPPS (working on TPPS) | OZ - Diamond Plus
Posts: 188
Aug 5, 2017, 8:55 am
#11
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I assume you're OK with the hoel charging more in case the rate goes up, too? I completely agree with the hotel. You have to accept both the upside and the downside to prepaid rates.
Aug 5, 2017, 9:48 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
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+1. I don't understand the surprise here. You booked prepaid because you wanted to lock in a rate that you felt was fair. You could've paid more for a flexible rate. But you did not. I don't see why you'd be surprised then to see the rate drop and think you should be entitled. I think the property offering a suite to you is above and beyond and you should feel quite thankful for that.
Aug 5, 2017, 7:52 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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OP, I assume by "pre-paid" you also mean non-cancellable (if not, just cancel and rebook). You are getting what you agreed to pay for, so what do you need to "deal" with?
Aug 6, 2017, 3:03 am
#14
Used to be bulldoggolfer05
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If you insist a customer shouldn't be held to what they agreed to then you're also OK if the property calls back and says someone else needs the room and you need to pay $100 more, even though you have a confirmed reservation?
OP, I assume by "pre-paid" you also mean non-cancellable (if not, just cancel and rebook). You are getting what you agreed to pay for, so what do you need to "deal" with?
OP, I assume by "pre-paid" you also mean non-cancellable (if not, just cancel and rebook). You are getting what you agreed to pay for, so what do you need to "deal" with?
At several locations in the US, I can book a reservation through SIXT, get a confirmation number, go back and try to book the same reservation, and get a lower rate. Booking the lower rate and repeating the process will continue to yield lower and lower rates throughout several repeat processes (resulting in rates as low as $9 a day). While these reservations are not prepaid, it does seem a bit chintzy at best.
If a hotel is playing the same games with prepaid rates, I'd avoid that hotel...
Aug 6, 2017, 4:05 am
#15
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Disappointed at some of the posts here. We, as a frequent flyer community, should be helping each other out and offering constructive suggestions. OP had a legitimate question and was not demanding anything.
