Reservations Problem and Question

[DanG]

I tried to call to get reservations for the week before Easter 2002 and was surprised as to how difficult it was to get information or make reservations. Take my money, please!

First, the reservationist (who was very friendly and polite) told me that there was no availability for the two nights I wanted to stay 11 months out. Then he indicated that there was for certain rooms, but he couldn't give a rate or take reservations for those rooms yet. And that there was a new special Family Rate plan announced today that would give a second room for the same family at 50% off the rack rate.

Finally, after 15 minutes, he suggested I call back in two months, but not to wait too long because its a popular time of year and it might sell out before then.

Arrrrrrgh!

Has anyone else had similar experiences, and if so, when do they release the rooms so I can make my reservation?

Thanks for the help.

DanG

 

[No11's Mom]

Hey Dan -

I was able to book 2 rooms for next March, but they could not guarantee rate or offer discounts yet. What type or rooms were they offering the Family Rate Plan on?

 

[DanG]

No11sMom, the reservationist said that it was a new program that his supervisor had first told him about yesterday. The way he was talking about it, it would apply to all room classes. I was asking specifically for 2 adjoining garden rooms. It is definitely worth a call to tie the first room to a AAA rate and the second to the Family discount, even without the rates provided.

Did Universal reservations indicate to you when the rates would be available?

 

[jlima]

Some hotels only book 11 months out, to avoid the following situation:

Let's say you want a sold-out day next week. Being crafty, you make a reservation for the same dates in 2002. You arrive at the hotel on the sold-out day, and make a scene at the front desk and insist that the reservation agent screwed up, your reservation is for 2001, not 2002. To get rid of you, the front desk manager checks you in anyway or relocates you (at the hotel's expense) and presto, you've been accommodated.

Happens all the time.

To avoid this, a lot of hotels only book 11 months out (i.e., after the 1st of the month they load rates for the month that just ended, for the following year); so for April 02 you couldn't book until May 01. The res agent you spoke with may have seen a convention on their books that would sell out the hotel, but if April 02 rates weren't loaded she couldn't make your reservation.

If it were me, I would not have waited for 15 mins; I would have asked for a supervisor, to get the straight story.

 

[No11's Mom]

Dan,

I've called twice since making the reservation to see if discounts have been release yet - no luck yet. My plan is to try back every Friday until they've been released, or until I see someone post on the board that they've gotten a discount for next year.

Good luck to you.

 

[DanG]

No11s Mom, I tried to hold two rooms yesterday and was told that the rates for the Easter period would not be available until July. I will probably try again in a few weeks to see if I get a different story. I will post and let you know if I hear anything.

DanG

 

[Sleepy]

jlima, this happened to us last year only it was not to our benefit. I called Shades of Green in March 2000 to reserve March 2001. They take ressies 53 weeks out. The reservationist made a mistake and put me down for 2000. I got my confirmation in the mail and it said we should be arriving the next day. I had to call and make the change. I highly suggest anyone who makes ressies with a hotel that books more than 52 weeks in advance make sure they check the date on confirmation. Not only would I have been out of my deposit, but my room as well when I went to check in.

 

[BarbOKW]

Dan, first I'd like to say Hi neighbor! I live in LaGrange. I have confirmed reservations for three nights starting March 28, 2002. I have 2 pool view rooms at $265 confirmed rate. I'm hoping to get a better rate so I call once a week, they always say try again in a month or so, but I don't mind calling once a week. And I check the boards for discounts. As a matter of fact when I get done here I'm going to try for that family rate. I'd call again the number I used was (407) 503-2000.

 

[jlima]

Good catch, Sleepy. There are 80+ agents at the hotel where I work; some have years of experience and some have only a few weeks. When you're booking rack rates, AAA rates, Senior rates, discounted rates, packages, conventions and everything else on the books at a hotel, reservation agents really need to stay on top of it all. Even at the best hotels the ball gets dropped every now and then, unfortunately.