Booking Prepaid/NonRef GBP Rate Timing and FX Issues
Jan 15, 2009, 10:58 am
#1
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Booking Prepaid/NonRef GBP Rate Timing and FX Issues
Trying to figure out how to get the best deal for a late February stay in London. With the 40% off for 4 nights (C4E) promo there are some very good deals out there like Park Lane for £107/night.
Unfortunately the C4E 40% off rate plan is prepaid, non-changeable and non-cancellable. Rate plan says that full deposit will be made at time of booking but I'm not sure that this really happens in practice.
Have any U.S. based SPG customers booked overseas hotels using advance prepaid rates like this? Can you advise when the deposit is really posted to the credit card and in what currency? Seems to me that with a Starwood Central Res office here in North America actually initiating the charge as opposed to the hotel over in London there's a chance they will charge in USD as opposed to GBP.
I know in the past I have booked supposedly "prepaid" rates that weren't; still had to settle up directly with the hotel at time of checkout...
Unfortunately the C4E 40% off rate plan is prepaid, non-changeable and non-cancellable. Rate plan says that full deposit will be made at time of booking but I'm not sure that this really happens in practice.
Have any U.S. based SPG customers booked overseas hotels using advance prepaid rates like this? Can you advise when the deposit is really posted to the credit card and in what currency? Seems to me that with a Starwood Central Res office here in North America actually initiating the charge as opposed to the hotel over in London there's a chance they will charge in USD as opposed to GBP.
I know in the past I have booked supposedly "prepaid" rates that weren't; still had to settle up directly with the hotel at time of checkout...
Jan 15, 2009, 4:24 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Have any U.S. based SPG customers booked overseas hotels using advance prepaid rates like this? Can you advise when the deposit is really posted to the credit card and in what currency? Seems to me that with a Starwood Central Res office here in North America actually initiating the charge as opposed to the hotel over in London there's a chance they will charge in USD as opposed to GBP.
Jan 15, 2009, 4:49 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: YVR
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Posts: 290
It will be the hotel themselves that take the deposit off your credit card.
While Central Reservations may make the reservation, it is the hotel's responsibility to collect prepayment.
While Central Reservations may make the reservation, it is the hotel's responsibility to collect prepayment.