HELP! Gov't rate Dolphin--problem--What will happen?

[mickey'sbud]

We are planning a split stay in late May.
I called Swan/Dolphin and asked if we qualified for gov't rate. I told her this...DH works as a contracter for gov't agency. He is not the vendor. He is self-employed working and contracted by the vendor. She asked if he had a badge I said yes. At the time I told her I did not know if it said "contractor" on it or not. I told her yes he works in the gov't building. The kind of work he does etc.

She put me on hold and checked with someone and came back and said that they would honor it and that I could make a ressie.

When my DH got home I got his badge and in big letters under his name it says "contractor". It also has the name of the gov't agency he works for. He has to have all of this to get into the secured building he works in. Then later I got my email confirmation and this is what it said:

"Rate Plan: GOVERNMENT RATE-ID REQUIRED NOT VALID FOR GOVERNMENT CONTRACTED VENDORS
ID REQUIRED Per Person/per Night"

So what do I do? I told the lady everything I could...and she made the ressie anyway. Do I call back and tell them what his badge has on it?
Will they honor the ressie anyway?

My point is I have been told it is ok anyway and they made the ressie...will they stand by it? I don't want a surprise at checkin.

Thanks in advance for replies and advice.

 

[DisneyFanatik]

The fact that she checked with someone and came back and said that they would honor it probably means that they usually do not honor contractors, but with whatever other info you provided they made an exception for you. The email that you received is just a standard one that everyone receives. I have gone to the Dolphin twice with the government rate. I had my DH check in because he is the gov't worker and I didn't want a problem. He always carries his badge and id, but they have never once asked for it. If you are really worried I would call back and verify with the person that you spoke to originally. Take her name and if there are any problems at check in you can explain how she made the ressie and what she said. I don't think that you will have any problems though. Have a great trip!

 

[CDizney]

I would highly suggest calling the resort and clarifying with them exactly what your husband does and exactly what his badge has on it. If they still want to stand by their first "yes" they gave to you then have them fax you something that proves they will make the exception. If they wont at least you will know upfront. I wouldn't want to risk my trip by going all that way to find out at the front desk that they are charging you a much higher rate that you may not be willing to pay or can pay for.

I work for a very large defense contractor and this happened to me 4/06. I was told on the phone it was ok for me to receive the discount. When I showed my badge at check-in, the manager of the front desk came out to decline my discount. The room rate went up 100 per night for the 10 days I was there. So, I got a cab and checked in down the road at the Caribbean Beach for a much more affordable stay.

 

[Gooofy-Blade]

I'm a federal officer and rarely get asked to show my ID when checking in although i have before and am always ready. However, if it comes right down to it, if you cannot produce a actual Gov't ID at the time of check-in, they can and likely will change your rate and not allow you to have the gov't rate. So, you can go with the gamble or be clear when you call back and see what happens.

 

[gomeztravel]

I am also a govt employee, law enforcement, I make sure I carry my creds at all times. Last year at the Dolphin, there was a guy checking in ahead of us. They asked him for the govt ID and they raised his rate because he is a contractor. When I checked in and showed her mine, she had a big smile and said how some people try and get away with it. I guess they do check...

 

[jamounger]

I am a nurse and booked the nurse rate a few years ago. I was asked for and had to show my nursing license on check in. I think i could have also shown a pay stub that reflected I was a nurse.

 

[ElizabethB]

I had to show government i.d. when we checked in at the Dolphin.

 

[Threehearts]

I've stayed 10 or so times and they have never asked. It could be because we are Starwood platinum but it was still the nurse rate. I always carry my current state license just in case. Threehearts

 

[sherry8253]

We have stayed at the Dolphin several times and have always been asked to show a government id or paycheck stub.

 

[newcomer52]

I stayed at the Swan in September on the educator's rate. I brought my ID and latest pay advice. They didn't ask for either of them so I asked if I needed to show them and was told no.

js

 

[TDC Nala]

They've always checked my ID at the Swolphin. I didn't get checked at a hotel in New York last month.

Every time I check government rates at hotels, there's always a note in the terms and conditions that says the rates do not apply to contractors. So, it is probably not a good idea to take on face value what was said by the agent on the phone.

 

[calgarygary]

Do yourself a huge favour and do not call the resort. Reply by email referencing the earlier conversation and again reminding the resort that your husband is a contractor. The resort's response, if favourable, should be printed out and taken with you so that any he said, she said, debates will be avoided at check in.

 

[robeyt]

Calgarygary has the best advice so far....

Send an email to reservations/customer service, giving an overview to the best of your memory:

date, time, who took your ressie & name of supervisor who okayed the Gov't rate even though you explained DH's contractor employment status. If the hotel still gives you the Gov't rate (this time hopefully in writing) then be sure to print this email out & be ready to present it when checking in, if necessary.

Good luck & I hope they will honor your ressie....please do not try to go by past telephone conversations. I work for the Fed Gov't & let me tell you, there is nothing worse than :

Them: "But I spoke with someone & they told me....

Me: I'm sorry but the information given to you is not correct. Did they put it in writing? Can you show me some documentation?

Them: No

 

[DrmWvr1299]

Yep, had to show my nursing license first thing at the Dolphin.

 

[IWANNAGOBACK!]

I too booked as a nurse (which i am) but when I got there had forgot to bring proof! I was all ready to have my husband fax me something but they were very nice and let it go. Not to say that would happen again but I would hope they would honor what they said at first