Explanation of Internet-Only Rates Please
Mar 29, 2005, 8:11 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: No More Loyalty
Posts: 608
Explanation of Internet-Only Rates Please
Perhaps those of you with experience with "Internet-Only" rates can provide some guidance.
I would like to reserve the Aladdin Las Vegas through the Starwood site. I have always avoided pre-pay rates with their punitive cancellation policies, and I am willing to pay a small premium for a "normal" reservation. However, the best available rate is nearly double the Internet-only rate ($169 a night vs. $89 a night).
- Is this astonishing surcharge for a regular, refundable reservation normal for the Aladdin? The delta for the Westin Casuarina is just $5 a night.
- Can someone explain the cancellation terms on Internet-only rates? Here's what the web site says (grammatical errors and all) under Cancellation Policy: "Non-Refundable Deposit- Too Late To Cancel A 1 Night Penalty Is Applied. Cancel Before 4 Pm Hotel Time To Avoid 100 Percent Penalty." I get the fact that you have to cancel 72 hours prior to avoid a 100% penalty, but what in the world does the first part mean?
I decided to check the Aladdin web site directly, and a normal reservation (you can cancel up to 48 hours prior) is available for $89 a night. Of course, booking direct from them doesn't earn SPG credit (I assume), and I know from first-hand experience that SPG will deny a BRG claim in this instance because the cancellation policies are different. (Even though SPG has a worse policy.)
I would like to reserve the Aladdin Las Vegas through the Starwood site. I have always avoided pre-pay rates with their punitive cancellation policies, and I am willing to pay a small premium for a "normal" reservation. However, the best available rate is nearly double the Internet-only rate ($169 a night vs. $89 a night).
- Is this astonishing surcharge for a regular, refundable reservation normal for the Aladdin? The delta for the Westin Casuarina is just $5 a night.
- Can someone explain the cancellation terms on Internet-only rates? Here's what the web site says (grammatical errors and all) under Cancellation Policy: "Non-Refundable Deposit- Too Late To Cancel A 1 Night Penalty Is Applied. Cancel Before 4 Pm Hotel Time To Avoid 100 Percent Penalty." I get the fact that you have to cancel 72 hours prior to avoid a 100% penalty, but what in the world does the first part mean?
I decided to check the Aladdin web site directly, and a normal reservation (you can cancel up to 48 hours prior) is available for $89 a night. Of course, booking direct from them doesn't earn SPG credit (I assume), and I know from first-hand experience that SPG will deny a BRG claim in this instance because the cancellation policies are different. (Even though SPG has a worse policy.)
Mar 29, 2005, 8:22 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: Starwood Platinum, United Premier Executive
Posts: 281
If you make a multi-night reservation, you will automatically lose the first night the moment you try to cancel. You lose the rest of your fee if cancel less than 72 hours.
If you are only staying one night, you lose the entire amount of your reservation if you cancel.
If you are only staying one night, you lose the entire amount of your reservation if you cancel.
Mar 29, 2005, 8:27 pm
#3
Moderator: American AAdvantage & Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: PHX
Programs: American ExPlat; Marriott/SPG Lifetime Plat; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 8,116
Originally Posted by Sirecca
. . . I decided to check the Aladdin web site directly, and a normal reservation (you can cancel up to 48 hours prior) is available for $89 a night. Of course, booking direct from them doesn't earn SPG credit (I assume). . .
Thanks!
Mar 29, 2005, 9:48 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX, BUR
Posts: 545
That dramatic price difference is unusual. All the properties I frequent don't differ much in price ($10-$15) between best-available and internet-only rates...