Marriott web site - glitch? What do you think?

[Andrea_loves_Disney]

Does anyone else sit and check hotel websites over and over for the best deal on imaginary WDW vacations? OK, call me a sick pup! Actually I am hoping to go again in Nov (we just went in June) because we have those pesky non expiring MYW tix that are burning a hole in my pocket! Anyway, I was on the Marriott website, checking the Residence Inn LBV - Nov 9-13. They have a Family Studio Suite (sounds PERFECT for us- king bed and 2 twin beds) and it says $119/nt. It says Advanced Purchase rate - but when you click on "Rate Rules" It just says credit card required to hold and rate change if res modified within 21 days. I clicked on Rate Rules for ALL the rates that say ADVANCED PURCHASE and some of them DO say "...your card will be charged... rate nonrefundable..." etc. but not the $119/rate. So I booked it and I called their 800 number. I asked the agent I got if this rate required pre payment and initially he said, NO, you can cancel this up until 72 hrs prior. THEN all of a sudden he says "OH this is an advance purchase rate. Your card will be charged." I didn't argue with him because he had no more clue about this than I did...but it freaked me out a little since I had no intention of charging $500+ dollars today on my imaginary vacation!!!! So I cancelled it on the website, no problem (hopefully!!!) But I am still wondering if maybe I could have kept the hold on that rate (their mistake!!) just in case my imaginary vacation becomes reality!!! If anyone else has a chance to check this out, let me know what you think!!!!

Thanks!!!!

 

[kilee]

Unfortunately, there is no way to know for sure. If not all the adv ressie info say you have to prepay-- then you might not have to prepay. Not all agents are always fully informed. It would be taking a chance though. That was a great rate either way.

 

[PlutosFriend]

Imaginary vacation! I love it! I plan a lot of those as well Well maybe it can become a reality and you will get to take advantage of that rate after all. I have stayed at that RI LBV a couple of times for girls trips, and it was a great place and oh so close to WDW!

 

[Bev J]

I have gotten great deals on hotels by doing the advance purchase. It is just as it says- you pay in advance. It usually depends on how much in advance I book but if it is very close, say in the next week or so I am usually not charged till after my stay. If it is further away then usually I am charged in a week-10 days. They don't seem to be in a hurry to charge it to your card. Be careful because sometimes the advance purchase does not allow you to cancel without a hefty penalty or will not refund you at all.

what I do sometimes is book the room at what ever rate with the CC guarantee, then about a week or so before we are leaving I check and see if the advance purchase comes up and if I can save $$ then I will rebook and pay then, cancelling the original reservation.
I love playing around with the hotel sites and seeing what the best deal I can get is!

Bev