Need some advice from the travel experts here

[Neoshoegal]

I booked a hotel in Orlando (Hilton Orlando, new hotel, opening next month I think) for a convention.
I booked the hotel through hilton.co.uk and got a really good rate that came up in the normal list (not using any special codes or anything). The rate was called "Tamro Special Rate". As it was so much cheaper than the other rates I checked all the terms and conditions and details and didn't see anything anywhere that would suggest you have to adhere to certain conditions to book this rate (no membership or anything required). So I booked this rate and got a confirmation email.

Now I got a bit suspicous about this special rate and phoned up Hilton reservations and asked if you needed anything special to get this rate. The girl on the phone (based in the US) couldn't even see that rate with the normal rates until she digged a bit deeper. She found the rate but then said it is only available to "Tamro Team Members" and that ID is required on check in. I argued the point that when booking there was no mention of this anywhere. She asked her supervisors what would happen on check in and was told that ID would be required and if not available that we'd have to pay the rack rate. She then doubled checked the way I did my reservation and confirmed that there is no mention of any requirements. She also said that rate shouldn't even be on their website. She advised to print everything out with the details of my booking, but wasn't sure what would happen. She said it would be taking a chance.

Am I right in thinking that as the terms and conditions nor the details or anything ever mentioned any requirements to get this rate, that they should honour the rate I booked? If there are requirements to getting that rate and they aren't advertised anywhere. How would one know when booking that that rate is not applicable to them?

We once had a booking for a room at a Ritz-Carlton hotel where a mistake was made on the website (missing out a zero, making the hotel $48/night rather than $480 ). They honoured that reservation, no issues. But obviously that didn't require any special ID.

 

[UKDEB]

Does the confirmation email contain any T&Cs, any link or reference to any T&Cs, or any kind of disclaimer?

 

[Neoshoegal]

Does the confirmation email contain any T&Cs, any link or reference to any T&Cs, or any kind of disclaimer?

Well, the one thing that I can find that they can use against it is:
"We reserve the right to cancel or modify reservations where it appears that a customer has engaged in fraudulent or inappropriate activity or under other circumstances where it appears that the reservations contain or resulted from a mistake or error."

But to do that at check in would be a major customer service disaster.
That would be punishing the customer for a mistake they made. The rate we got is $49/night, the normal rate would be $99 at this moment. Would they really kick up a fuzz for $200 (staying 4 nights) and risk loosing a customer completely?

 

[wayneg]

I have used other peoples codes, errors, mistakes, misprices, cashbacks, every way possible for the past 13 years with no problem, if you hadn't have rung I would have said you were 99% chance of being OK using the rate, now you have rung and told them there is always the possibility they have put a note on your reservation and will ask for proof.

Is it Parc Soleil by Hilton Grand Vacations Club Lake Buena Vista?
They have some decent rates on Monarch hotels with cashback thru Quidco, might not be much more to use them.

 

[Neoshoegal]

I have used other peoples codes, errors, mistakes, misprices, cashbacks, every way possible for the past 13 years with no problem, if you hadn't have rung I would have said you were 99% chance of being OK using the rate, now you have rung and told them there is always the possibility they have put a note on your reservation and will ask for proof.

Is it Parc Soleil by Hilton Grand Vacations Club Lake Buena Vista?
They have some decent rates on Monarch hotels with cashback thru Quidco, might not be much more to use them.

I haven't given my reservation details. I phoned to make an enquiry (saying a friend of mine booked at that rate and was wondering what the deal with it is)
It's the "Hilton Orlando" www.thehiltonorlando.com, brand new hotel.

 

[wayneg]

Ah, didn't know they were building another, the one at LBV opens soon(if not already)

Can't find any rates for that one.
You will probably get away with it but always going to be a low chance of you not getting it.

 

[kevin harrison]

I haven't given my reservation details. I phoned to make an enquiry (saying a friend of mine booked at that rate and was wondering what the deal with it is)
It's the "Hilton Orlando" www.thehiltonorlando.com, brand new hotel.

Is this the hotel at the southern end of International Drive. Not far from Aquatica.

 

[UKDEB]

No, it's one of two opening on WDW property at Bonnet Creek (the other being the Waldorf Astoria).

 

[UKDEB]

Just back with the links for anyone who's interested:

Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

We've achieved some unbelievable rates at various hotels during their first couple of months of opening, including AKL, HRH, Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes, Rosen Shingle Creek and Reunion Grande, plus others outside Orlando. If I was heading to Orlando this year, or early next, I'd definitely be looking to book a few nights at one of these. What rate have you got, Neoshoegal? It might offer some insight as to whether or not it's realistic. Having said that, if you got the R-C to honour $48 a night, anything's possible!

 

[kevin harrison]

No, it's one of two opening on WDW property at Bonnet Creek (the other being the Waldorf Astoria).

What is the name of the Hilton being built at the southern end of I drive called then? Should be nearly completed.

 

[wayneg]

Deb, thats a different one(how much are Hilton investing?)
The link posted in post #5 says this:

Connected to covered open-air walkway to the North/South Building of the Orange County Convention Center

Sounds like the one Kevin is talking about.

 

[UKDEB]

They're investing loads in the v-e-r-y long walkway from Pointe Orlando to WDW!

Apologies for confusing the issue.

 

[wayneg]

They're investing loads in the v-e-r-y long walkway from Pointe Orlando to WDW!

Apologies for confusing the issue.

That would be a long walkway, similar to the car park and Universal parks. Feels that long after a hot day in Universal.

 

[dennyboy1]

only had one experience of booking at the wrong price before - got a week at the elysium beach in cyprus - for some reason we got a price of £800 for 5 of us for a week (should have been near £800 each) - needless to say TC tried to cancel the booking saying there had been a mistake etc - a quick call threatening solicitors/citizens advice/trading standards they honoured the price - just stand your ground, should be ok

 

[Neoshoegal]

Back to the original topic: the special rate is no longer available on the website...