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[ultrarider123]

While Harley has dropped a lot of "extras" including most of the good that was in a HOG membership, check with your insurance provider for savings on hotels, eating, shopping, etc.  We don't take advantage of what Farm Bureau has but they have a LOT of savings for their customers just like State Farm did.  Some of these extras include different cancellation policies or automatic trip insurance for emergency cancellations if made using their discount.  We had AAA for a year or two and they offered much more for the money than the annual HOG membership ever did for roughly the same cost.

As for cancellation policies, we've not run into any issues so far but I also look at what that policy is before booking any stays, too.  Some places have resorted to requiring two/three night stays in what they define as "peak" seasons.  I avoid those places when possible.  You can find good, quality, clean, inexpensive and accommodating accommodations most everywhere you want to go if you just look....the interweb is helpful (sometimes) but nothing beats actually speaking to a representative. 

It's amazing how much you can accomplish actually talking to someone...what a concept...

[tazmun]

While Harley has dropped a lot of "extras" including most of the good that was in a HOG membership, check with your insurance provider for savings on hotels, eating, shopping, etc.  We don't take advantage of what Farm Bureau has but they have a LOT of savings for their customers just like State Farm did.  Some of these extras include different cancellation policies or automatic trip insurance for emergency cancellations if made using their discount.  We had AAA for a year or two and they offered much more for the money than the annual HOG membership ever did for roughly the same cost.

As for cancellation policies, we've not run into any issues so far but I also look at what that policy is before booking any stays, too.  Some places have resorted to requiring two/three night stays in what they define as "peak" seasons.  I avoid those places when possible.  You can find good, quality, clean, inexpensive and accommodating accommodations most everywhere you want to go if you just look....the interweb is helpful (sometimes) but nothing beats actually speaking to a representative. 


How true!!!! I never use websites if I don't have to. As a matter a fact, after taking to a "live person", I sometimes get a better rate
and or an upgrade in room booking!


It's amazing how much you can accomplish actually talking to someone...what a concept...

[skratch]

the op mentioned that this is a 'new' policy, so any mention of 'last year', 'what we did', etc. is pretty much not applicable. 

i went to the website for each hotel that we've stayed at in the past couple of years (we don't get to travel as much as we used to so it wasn't a very large list).  we always made it a point to check the hotel's cancellation policy when we booked so that if we didn't make it as far, or didn't want to stop as early, we had an easy out.  sure enough, each one of the hotels has a 24 to 72 hr prior policy now.

and most of these hotels are not in 'high demand' areas either.  i could understand a hotel in new orleans during mardi gras, but covington, la in march?

this is definitely going to impact how we do our trips, that's for sure.

[Cat Eye]

I was just pondering....And this might show my age...but I remember when I would make a reservation and giving a credit card number wasn’t required. A credit card number was only required to hold the room for late arrival.

and there was just a hand full of national chains....Holiday Inn, Howard Johnson’s, Ramada Inn, Chicken Ranch to name a few.  Now it seems like there are hundreds chains and that competition would make thing better for the consumer.

[ultrafxr]

A little Google searching located this from the 04/14/2010 announcement of the partnership program between Harley/H.O.G. and Best Western:

H.O.G. members are automatically upgraded to platinum elite status within the Best Western and Harley-Davidson® exclusive rewards program – Best Western Ride RewardsSM , giving them 15 percent more bonus points for every qualified stay, plus complimentary room upgrades and early check-in and late check-out, if available. Members also earn the ability to save 10 percent or more with the Harley-Davidson rate.

A phone call to Best Western Rewards this morning confirmed that the program has been terminated in full.  No more automatic upgrade to platinum elite with the 15 percent bonus points or the 10 percent or more saving on rates.  Now it is just the plain ole Best Western Rewards which ain't half bad but the HarleyH.O.G. program was definitely better.

And to get back on the OP's original point i too have noticed that the cancellation period has been moved forward oftentimes.  And it's not brand wide but can vary from property to property within the same brand/chain.  Does make it a bit more difficult and have to really watch to not get caught unawares.

[JCZ]

So.....in short....no reason to continue my national HOG membership.   

[Cat Eye]

So.....in short....no reason to continue my national HOG membership.   

I’m still a Best Western Platinum member, which was a benefit of being a HOG member.

I hope this continues...it’s nice getting the welcome gift.

[OBB]

I was just pondering....And this might show my age...but I remember when I would make a reservation and giving a credit card number wasn’t required. A credit card number was only required to hold the room for late arrival.

and there was just a hand full of national chains....Holiday Inn, Howard Johnson’s, Ramada Inn, Chicken Ranch to name a few.  Now it seems like there are hundreds chains and that competition would make thing better for the consumer.

Pretty sure you meant BUNNY Ranch....

Sent from my boring Droid phone.

[Cat Eye]

Pretty sure you meant BUNNY Ranch....

Sent from my boring Droid phone.

LOL...I did not know that Bunny’s had a ranch....thanks for the info Mr. One Sock!

[KGB]

LOL...I did not know that Bunny’s had a ranch....thanks for the info Mr. One Sock!

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