What would you ask for ?
Nov 13, 2010 | 10:05 am
#3
Join Date: May 1998
Location: australia
Posts: 5,962
Difficult because you ask what would I ask for - first of all such an occurrence wouldn't ruin a 2 week holiday for me. If I still had a functioning credit card that worked, then I would enjoy my holiday. But I can understand that others might feel differently and may want to terminate their holiday and return home.
In that case who is liable for the damages - the hotel or the employee? And what damages are reasonable from the hotel? I could understand you expecting the hotel to compensate you for the prepaid expenses like airfare and non-refundable car rental costs. But food for a 2 week vacation??? And 10 nights at any hotel in the chain? This sounds more like "I am trying to get whatever I can out of this" rather than I want a reasonable outcome.
I would expect the hotel to be proactive in making sure I had a superb holiday after this event happened. I wouldn't expect to have to get into negotiations with the manager.
In that case who is liable for the damages - the hotel or the employee? And what damages are reasonable from the hotel? I could understand you expecting the hotel to compensate you for the prepaid expenses like airfare and non-refundable car rental costs. But food for a 2 week vacation??? And 10 nights at any hotel in the chain? This sounds more like "I am trying to get whatever I can out of this" rather than I want a reasonable outcome.
I would expect the hotel to be proactive in making sure I had a superb holiday after this event happened. I wouldn't expect to have to get into negotiations with the manager.
Nov 13, 2010 | 10:25 am
#4
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Programs: DL PM/MM, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia, National ECE, Hertz PC
Posts: 16,619
The original poster sent me a private message asking me to explain further ... I was purposely trying to be as nice as I could to the poster, and that was the best I could do ...
First, I think travelers checks are a waste of time in this day and age ... but hey, some people like the protection they offer despite their disadvantages (less flexibility, less widely accepted, and potentially additional fees, though you can sometimes get them without fees).
That being said, why would anyone have two types of travelrs checks type instruments, American Express Travelrs Cheques and Visa TravelMoney, in addition to credit cards? Why would someone with several credit cards bother with Visa TravelMoney which is just a prepaid Visa card?
Why would anyone even bother with Travelers Checks or Visa TravelMoney, when the primary selling point is security in case they are lost, if they're just going to cancel their vacation and not utilize that main selling point if and when they are actually lost?
The details in the story just don't make any sense for even an inexperienced traveler.
First, I think travelers checks are a waste of time in this day and age ... but hey, some people like the protection they offer despite their disadvantages (less flexibility, less widely accepted, and potentially additional fees, though you can sometimes get them without fees).
That being said, why would anyone have two types of travelrs checks type instruments, American Express Travelrs Cheques and Visa TravelMoney, in addition to credit cards? Why would someone with several credit cards bother with Visa TravelMoney which is just a prepaid Visa card?
Why would anyone even bother with Travelers Checks or Visa TravelMoney, when the primary selling point is security in case they are lost, if they're just going to cancel their vacation and not utilize that main selling point if and when they are actually lost?
The details in the story just don't make any sense for even an inexperienced traveler.
Nov 13, 2010 | 10:43 am
#6
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Welcome to FlyerTalk
Nov 13, 2010 | 11:06 am
#7
Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 6,432
The one thing I would ask for is to post this in the right forum. 
Allow me to move it to Travel Buzz, where it is more appropriate than Hotel Deals.
Welcome to FT!
--jpdx, Hotel Deals Moderator
Allow me to move it to Travel Buzz, where it is more appropriate than Hotel Deals.Welcome to FT!
--jpdx, Hotel Deals Moderator
Nov 13, 2010 | 11:14 am
#8
Used to be 'Travelergcp'
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New Orleans
Programs: AA Plat, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,934
Be reasonable. I think you are asking for way too much. I'd start with the amount of money that was in the wallet, plus a significant discount on you hotel bill. If the wallet was stolen out of your room by an employee with access, they are probably somewhat culpable.
If the thief is convicted, there is also the possibility of restitution. They are the one who has wronged you.
If the thief is convicted, there is also the possibility of restitution. They are the one who has wronged you.
Nov 13, 2010 | 1:08 pm
#12
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Programs: DL PM/MM, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia, National ECE, Hertz PC
Posts: 16,619
What I'm asking for works out to $166.66 per day for the original 15 days we had planned to be on vacation. That's for 2 peoples cost of air, rental car, food, and entertainment. I did not think this amount was unreasonable. I'm also asking that I receive 10 free nights at any property.
Loss or theft of your wallet is a forseeable occurrence, but you know that since you used two products that allegedly provide protection in the case of such occurrences (AMEX Travelers Cheques and Visa TravelMoney). My bigger question with your situation is with both AMEX and Visa over why they are not able to offer the one day replacement the websites for both of those products highlight in the case of theft.
Nov 13, 2010 | 1:29 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA Platinum, FB Silver, Krysflier, Hertz #1 Gold, A|Club Silver
Posts: 175
I think there is a chance you are in effect responsible to the inconvenience and you psychologically put yourself in more trouble than it really is...normally a hotel provide a safe to put valuables and if not, the minimum might be to put in locked bag, you could also have lost your wallet or be robbed in the street, etc.. so as some others mentioned that is something you should be able to deal with.
Also you were in vacation in Florida..which is hardly Zanzibar. So how can your vacation be 'ruined' when you can call your bank/amex/visa and ask for a replacement card or are able to get temporary money in a lot of places ? especially as you say you still had your Amex...
Asking for "a check to cover air, rental car, entertainment, and food for a 2 week vacation, along with 10 free nights at any of the chains properties." is greedy if not absurd. If one manages to get away with that, you can sure expect a lot more people to put their valuables on display on purpose to get it stolen.
Also you were in vacation in Florida..which is hardly Zanzibar. So how can your vacation be 'ruined' when you can call your bank/amex/visa and ask for a replacement card or are able to get temporary money in a lot of places ? especially as you say you still had your Amex...
Asking for "a check to cover air, rental car, entertainment, and food for a 2 week vacation, along with 10 free nights at any of the chains properties." is greedy if not absurd. If one manages to get away with that, you can sure expect a lot more people to put their valuables on display on purpose to get it stolen.
