Do you think there's a pecking order with discounts?

[AlexandNessa]

I'm just curious if you think that Loews uses a type of pecking order for things like room assignments when guests use a discount code. Like maybe those who pay rack rate get the best room assignment, followed by AAA discounts, and maybe the bottom of the pack are APH/FLO discounts, or maybe Hotwire/Hotelkingdom/Expedia get the crummiest rooms.

Let's face it, each resort has its good rooms (well-kept/better views) and its not-so-good rooms (more wear and tear than usual/less desirable views). For example, at the RPR, a standard view can be a view of IOA or of the pretty gardens or a standard view can be a view of the roof and I4. Both of these "standard" views cost the same. Or, Club Level both at HRH and RPR can have variable views, some better than others, and you pay one rate for Club, regardless of the view.

Not everyone thinks to make requests, and many requests are not granted (I asked for a nice view for our honeymoon and was treated to a lovely view of I4 at RPR).

So, I'm just interested to hear if you think what, if anything, room discounts have to do with room assignments. Let's hear your thoughts!

 

[macraven]

all my stays have been at the hrh, but this fall going to try rph.


i don't think there is a pecking order, or less than rack rate customers getting the not as desirable rooms. at least in 10 stays, it hasn't happened to me.

i used to use the ent book, remember when hrh was $125 a night......
i never got an undesirable room due to that. i even had an upgrade to club once on it.

one year, i was given a king standard on the 2nd floor, i checked it out, didn't like it and was moved to one that i preferred. this was with a 7:45 check in in the morning though.......it just was the only room open at the time i checked in, which is why i got it in the first place.

i always check in early by 8 am.
i know very few rooms will be available at that time but i check in, store the luggage and hit the parks.
i go during the hhn on the weekends and the hotels are usually full.

if i do not like the room i am assigned, i have it switched right away.
i have never had any trouble doing so. i have used the ent book rate and now use the AAA rate. that has never been a factor in which room i get.

rooms are guarenteed by 4 pm. hrh has always meet this when i have a ressie there.
if for some reason it couldn't be meet, then i'm sure they would have some sort of compensation for the guest.

maybe there have been issues for others, but i have not encountered any yet.
this year is my first for rph, i'll be sure to post if i feel rooms/guests are prioritized based on $$ paid out.
right now, i doubt that will happen. havent heard of any situations yet at rph where guests were upset.

 

[Eclpz314]

3yrs, 3 July stays at RPR. 1st yr - Loew's Blue, 10 nights w/ US Vacations pkg. that incl. SW, WnW, all tickets to US, etc. so I don't know the actual price of room. We were offered Club w/ queens for $35 upgrade and gladly took it. We overlooked a very relaxing pond w/palm trees, 2 doors down from club lounge) 2nd yr - Loews Gold, again 10 nights w/pre-reserved club level for us and reg king room on another floor for 3 nights for my mom. Used AAA for one and PAP for other. Got to check-in two days ahead of mom, so just wanted to get our room. DH and sons sat across the lobby while I went thru the Loew's line...only to hear "we don't have you as requesting club level" (this after repeated calls off and on to verify everything w/ no problem) I said "please don't make me have to turn around and tell them we don't have club" Finally a room was found. It was waaaayy at the end of the hall at the stairwell overlooking the luau place. We also ended up getting double-billed for the entire stay, also a full $400 charged to our "charging card" that we never even used, and we got billed for a bunch of phone calls we weren't there to make. Wrote a letter to the mgr, rec'vd a personal call w/ apology and given very nice options if we would please return and try it again. This past July, we visited again as Platinum Loews. Because of the previous year's problems, he personally took care of the arrangements. We had a king suite on club level overlooking the pool....gorgeous!! But would we have gotten our "platinum" benefits on our own w/o the mgrs. help? Somehow I don't think so.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Eclpz314, we also had a problem a stay or two ago at RPR about people making phone calls in our room when we were not there. There were at least 4 or 5 phone calls made, and we were billed for each one. Took forever to work that out and get them off our bill (the club lounge took them off our bill, only for the front desk to add them back on, and on and on). Wrote RPR a note that someone was doing that while we weren't in the room, but never got a response. To me, that's a problem, and I thought I should have received a note back that they were at least looking into it, but nothing.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I have always booked rooms at the lowest available raate whether that be entertainment (RIP ), AP or AAA. I have had rates as low as $135 poolview for HRH. Based on recommendations from these boards, I have always called to request a specific room within my room type. My requests are always granted. Oh, except one time at the RPR. On the spur of the moment I called to see if there was availability that night for two rooms, one for my family and one for my sister and her family. I was able to get two rooms at RPR at a decent rate. We packed the car and drove up from Punta Gorda. I called fRPR from the car with my specific room request and asked that my sister by given a room nearby. Upon arrival I asked if was given my room request and was told, no--that I had been upgraded to a King Suite! My sister was assigned the specific room I had requested.

So, to answer the OP's question, I have not experienced a pecking order in terms of rates and room assignments/requests. However, there is no telling where they would stick me if I did not call to make requests.