Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Know Your Rights as a Hotel Guest Being Walked Out of a Reservation

Kingman, AZ August 17, 2004

So you show up at your choice of hotel, motel or other type of accommodation and you find that there are no rooms. You thought you had a reservation. Now your rights to a room, if there even is such a thing, come down to whether you had a guaranteed guest reservation and what time you arrived at the front desk.

It is strongly recommended that you reserve your hotel room, whether online or by phone, with a credit card. The establishment agrees to hold your room and if you don&39;t show or cancel by a certain time, your card is charged for the night&39;s stay.

"Without a guaranteed hotel reservation, the establishment should still hold your room up until a certain time, usually between 4pm and 6pm. This time varies by establishment and you should keep the hour in mind if your travel plans are cutting it close," says Jonathan Stocker of AllStays.com (http://www.allstays.com) .

"Many times your plans may require you to arrive late at the hotel. If at all possible we recommend calling the hotel that day and telling them of your late arrival, even if you noted it online or by phone. It&39;s extra peace of mind and a bit of security if you get it in the hands of someone working that day, or as close as possible to the clerk that will be on duty that night when you arrive. This becomes even more important if you are going to a crowded area and rooms may be scarce. You don&39;t want to be arriving late at night, tired and without a room. I&39;ve been there before on a Friday night without a hotel in Las Vegas. I wound up in a motel room with bullet holes in the bathroom window."

Sometimes we meet all the requirements and still find ourselves being walked. There are no laws covering you here but the hotel establishment putting you out into the elements should find you another room at a price-comparable nearby property and transport you there. You need to get a refund or put the charge in contest with your credit card since you didn&39;t get what was sold to you. If there is a price difference, they should pick it up for you. You may also ask for additional benefits since they have "walked" you, the customer who indeed has a choice in future travel arrangements. A very subtle and polite reminder of this may help.

This is an opportunity to ask for more perks to keep you happy. Maybe free phone calls to your family or office; having your calls forwarded at no charge; future upgrades or discounts to give them another chance at your business.

If they do nothing for you, it&39;s time to use word of mouth: Tell your company, your family, your friends, and everyone you meet for the next five years. Maybe most importantly, get on the Internet and find every travel website that allows hotels reviews, such as AllStays.com , and write a thoughtful description of your experience that others can take seriously.

AllStays.com , online since 2000 and based in Arizona (US), lists all kinds of lodging, from primitive campgrounds and RV Parks to luxury and haunted hotels and spa resorts. AllStays also links directly to official websites to make sure you have the real scoop on the latest and most accurate information.

Research, Browse, and book online to stay anywhere on Earth. http://www.allstays.com

AllStays.com

8824 Ironwood Drive

Kingman, AZ 86401

Phone (928) 727-1312

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