What happens if a hotel is overbooked and can't accomodate your reservation?

[jrnunzio3]

Hi all,
I have a question. I booked a room at a hotel for July 4th weekend in Daytona for the race. I have my confirmation, but what happens if the hotel overbooks and doesn't have a room for me once I get there? I was able to book my room for race night only and I am worried that once I get there that afternoon, I won't have a place to sleep after the race. I looked on Marriott.com and can't seem to find the answer. Any piece of mind that you can give me will be much appreciated....
Jenny

 

[ekmom]

When that happened to me a few years ago they sent me to another hotel nearby and paid for my room.

 

[Calliaz]

You will usually be "walked" to another hotel. There is no guarantee of its location or that it will be comparable, but your original hotel will pay for it. If you want to help hold your spot, call the hotel on the day of check-in and confirm that you will be there. Hotels tend to walk the people they've never heard from before those that have called to confirm.

 

[sbpebbles]

When I use to work for a hotel I heard that the Front Desk people would "walk" a guest meaning they had to pay for their stay in a nearby hotel and them comp them something extra for the inconvenience...I worked at the hotel for over a year and only heard of it happening once or twice..usually hotels do what they can to avoid doing that..

 

[undertheradar]

It depends upon what time you arrive. The norms used to be that rooms were filled based upon prior stays, hotel loyalty history, room type and length of stay. The earlier in the day you arrive, the less chance of being "walked." With it being a special event, many hotels do have minimum stay requirements and have the right to cancel reservations that do not conform to the requirements(these are spotted by the sales department who set rates and minimum lengths of stay). I would contact the hotel directly and see if you can prepay your room. They would not want to "walk" a prepaid reservation.

 

[sbpebbles]

It depends upon what time you arrive. The norms used to be that rooms were filled based upon prior stays, hotel loyalty history, room type and length of stay. The earlier in the day you arrive, the less chance of being "walked." With it being a special event, many hotels do have minimum stay requirements and have the right to cancel reservations that do not conform to the requirements(these are spotted by the sales department who set rates and minimum lengths of stay). I would contact the hotel directly and see if you can prepay your room. They would not want to "walk" a prepaid reservation.

That's not always true..The hotel I worked for was an advance deposit resort so guests had to pay for their room ahead of time..and even though they had paid for their room they still got walked..best thing to do would be to call the resort in the morning and arrive as early as you can..Usually the latest ppl to arrive are the ones to get walked..

 

[undertheradar]

That's not always true..The hotel I worked for was an advance deposit resort so guests had to pay for their room ahead of time..and even though they had paid for their room they still got walked..best thing to do would be to call the resort in the morning and arrive as early as you can..Usually the latest ppl to arrive are the ones to get walked..

As a former Marriott front desk associate, we did not "walk" prepaid reservations. As I stated, sales handles minimum stay requirements and rates. OP, call the hotel directly and ask your questions, only they will know what the individual property does. Be sure to ask for the general manager or the sales manager to ask your questions. Since the PP cannot speak for every hotel, nor can I, contact the hotel directly to get your answer.

 

[jrnunzio3]

As a former Marriott front desk associate, we did not "walk" prepaid reservations. As I stated, sales handles minimum stay requirements and rates. OP, call the hotel directly and ask your questions, only they will know what the individual property does. Be sure to ask for the general manager or the sales manager to ask your questions. Since the PP cannot speak for every hotel, nor can I, contact the hotel directly to get your answer.

My reservation is guaranteed with my credit card and I have spoken to the General Manager and I have been allowed to stay just the one night...I am just concerned that if they "Walk" me someplace, it won't even be close to the track. I didn't want to call the hotel directly and stir up anything prior to us getting there.

Thanks to everyone for their replies. I just have to make the decision to take a chance and possibly have my entire vacation ruined..... decisions, decisions......

 

[swilshire]

Are you a Marriott Rewards member? If so, be sure the number is on your reservation. If not, join and add the number.

We had reservations for seven rooms at a hotel once that became overbooked when a large foreign group extended their stay. All of the Marriott Rewards members were given rooms, but the ones who were not members got walked to a different Marriott property which was not nearly as convenient to our work location.

Sheila