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CVO Social => Off Topic => Topic started by: Cat Eye on December 08, 2018, 07:54:03 AM

Title: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: Cat Eye on December 08, 2018, 07:54:03 AM
I have noticed that the mayor hotel chains have implemented a 48 to 72 hour reservation policy.

This is also true with Best Western.

I understand this policy for resorts type hotels where you go for vacations but for those hotel that mainly cater to transient traveler this makes no sense to me.

Luckily I only got caught on this once so far due to weather. I call the Best Western hotel at 1 o’clock in afternoon on the day of arrival  and told them that we were on motorcycles and that because of a band of thunderstorms we were not going to make it that day and wanted to cancel our reservation.

The hotel clerk said she was sorry but with the 48 hour cancellation policy I was still going to be charged.

So I went to the Best Western website and CHANGED my reservation to 3 weeks out. Then later that week canceled the reservation. I real pain but at least I saved $70.

Well now it seem that they are starting to charge your credit card 24 hours in advance of your arrival. So I don’t know if my hack will work in this situation.

I would rather stay at the Mom and Pop motels, but it difficult to know we’re the good ones are.
Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: CVODON on December 08, 2018, 08:36:57 AM
We have ran into this twice lately, both times our fault as wife took cheapest rate when booking, failing to notice that an extended cancellation time existed for the lower per rate night. Both times using Hotels.com saved us. The hotel charged us but Hotels.com issued a voucher for the amount to be used at a later date.
Just took a phone call and explanation to the booking company.
Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: mark on December 08, 2018, 09:32:14 AM
I travel a lot with work and it depends on the locale.  Most hotels have a 24 hr cancellation policy, but in areas where there's high hotel useage, like Palm Beach in the winter, most extend the cancellation policy to 2 to 3 days before your arrival.

Slick move on changing your reservations, then cancelling, to avoid being charged.  I'll have to remember that.
Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: ultrafxr on December 08, 2018, 09:36:46 AM
Regarding charging your credit card 24 hours in advance. That’s most likely a preauthorization to verify your credit card. Still comes through to you via an alert if you have that set up on your credit card account for transactions where card was not present.


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Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: KGB on December 08, 2018, 10:18:43 AM
I have noticed that the mayor hotel chains have implemented a 48 to 72 hour reservation policy.

This is also true with Best Western.

I understand this policy for resorts type hotels where you go for vacations but for those hotel that mainly cater to transient traveler this makes no sense to me.

Luckily I only got caught on this once so far due to weather. I call the Best Western hotel at 1 o’clock in afternoon on the day of arrival  and told them that we were on motorcycles and that because of a band of thunderstorms we were not going to make it that day and wanted to cancel our reservation.

The hotel clerk said she was sorry but with the 48 hour cancellation policy I was still going to be charged.

So I went to the Best Western website and CHANGED my reservation to 3 weeks out. Then later that week canceled the reservation. I real pain but at least I saved $70.

Well now it seem that they are starting to charge your credit card 24 hours in advance of your arrival. So I don’t know if my hack will work in this situation.

I would rather stay at the Mom and Pop motels, but it difficult to know we’re the good ones are.


You could always do what this guy does  :nixweiss:

https://youtu.be/JFdjYSjv1uE

Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: Cat Eye on December 08, 2018, 01:56:33 PM

You could always do what this guy does  :nixweiss:

https://youtu.be/JFdjYSjv1uE

Well, yes we can.....on our way to the Arizona GTG.
Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: Joel on December 09, 2018, 09:36:16 AM
On our trip last July we had reservations with BW the first 2 nights.
We left work a couple hours late, that led to 100 miles short on our planned stops.
 First night my wife called to cancel stating were on a bike and delayed by rain. Original hotel said no problem but wanted us to confirm we had a room where we were before they would cancel.
 2 nd night still 100 miles behind she called to say we are on our Harley and had broken down. ( They all do that  )
Both times we got our cancellations and full refunds.
 
Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: JCZ on December 09, 2018, 10:08:42 AM
Besides being signed up with the Harley Ride Rewards program at Best Western I also have (and primarily use) a Best Western Master Card and so I get nearly all of our rooms by using points. 

Some hotels have a cancellation policy by 4:00 p.m. on date of arrival and some have a 24 hour cancellation (which is usually by 3:00 p.m. the day before).  I don't cancel often....as a matter of fact, it very rare, but I've not had a problem if it's withing their cancellation period.
Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: ultrafxr on December 09, 2018, 11:45:41 AM
Besides being signed up with the Harley Ride Rewards program at Best Western I also have (and primarily use) a Best Western Master Card and so I get nearly all of our rooms by using points. 

Some hotels have a cancellation policy by 4:00 p.m. on date of arrival and some have a 24 hour cancellation (which is usually by 3:00 p.m. the day before).  I don't cancel often....as a matter of fact, it very rare, but I've not had a problem if it's withing their cancellation period.
Looks like Harley/H.O.G. and Best Western have parted ways.  Don't know when but on the H.O.G. website it does not list the Best Western program any more and a call to Best Western confirmed that they no longer participate with Harley/ H.O.G. No idea what happened.   :nixweiss:
Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: Joel on December 09, 2018, 12:31:15 PM
Hope it wasn't because I always ask if I can park my bike in the lobby.
Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: iski on December 09, 2018, 02:20:05 PM
Hope it wasn't because I always ask if I can park my bike in the lobby.

Maybe.  Because the bike will not fit in their elevators.
Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: Twolanerider on December 09, 2018, 05:39:38 PM
Looks like Harley/H.O.G. and Best Western have parted ways.  Don't know when but on the H.O.G. website it does not list the Best Western program any more and a call to Best Western confirmed that they no longer participate with Harley/ H.O.G. No idea what happened.   :nixweiss:

I've no idea when either Jerry.  I did try to use the HOG discount late summer of 2016 at a Best Western and was told then the discount was no longer offered.  Whether that was just the individual property or the entire chain also don't know.
Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: JCZ on December 09, 2018, 07:29:04 PM
Looks like Harley/H.O.G. and Best Western have parted ways.  Don't know when but on the H.O.G. website it does not list the Best Western program any more and a call to Best Western confirmed that they no longer participate with Harley/ H.O.G. No idea what happened.   :nixweiss:

Jerry I did notice that it's just called "Ride Rewards" now instead of Harley Davidson Ride Rewards but other than HD being dropped from the name in advertising, I didn't know the relationship had changed.  My credit card doesn't say HD Ride Rewards either.....just "Best Western Ride Rewards".

Interesting.  It seems like the MoCo has made a lot of changes that no longer caters to their customer base (us old farts).....and they wonder why sales have fallen off so steeply.
Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: tazmun on December 10, 2018, 09:45:52 AM
Jerry I did notice that it's just called "Ride Rewards" now instead of Harley Davidson Ride Rewards but other than HD being dropped from the name in advertising, I didn't know the relationship had changed.  My credit card doesn't say HD Ride Rewards either.....just "Best Western Ride Rewards".

Interesting.  It seems like the MoCo has made a lot of changes that no longer caters to their customer base (us old farts).....and they wonder why sales have fallen off so steeply.
You mean like you could rent a bike thru HOG, then that dropped! Then renting bikes thru dealers, that dropped!
Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: chaos901 on December 10, 2018, 09:51:54 AM
Like an earlier comment, be sure to check the cancellation policy when you select the room rate.  Often they will have a cheaper rate for a room with a shorter (or no) cancelation policy.  We tour and stay in hotels about 32 nights a year, only once this past year did we have a room that could not be canceled and it was due to the location.   
Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: ultrarider123 on December 10, 2018, 10:19:15 AM
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... ;D
Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: tazmun on December 10, 2018, 10:43:41 AM
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... ;D
Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: skratch on December 10, 2018, 11:41:05 AM
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.
Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: Cat Eye on December 10, 2018, 01:26:51 PM
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.

Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: ultrafxr on December 10, 2018, 01:59:36 PM
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.
Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: JCZ on December 10, 2018, 02:22:22 PM
So.....in short....no reason to continue my national HOG membership.   :nixweiss:
Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: Cat Eye on December 10, 2018, 03:01:23 PM
So.....in short....no reason to continue my national HOG membership.   :nixweiss:

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.
Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: OBB on December 10, 2018, 04:59:05 PM
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.

Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: Cat Eye on December 10, 2018, 06:20:56 PM
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!
Title: Re: Hotels have changed their cancellation policies...
Post by: KGB on December 10, 2018, 07:45:56 PM
LOL...I did not know that Bunny’s had a ranch....thanks for the info Mr. One Sock!




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